Nissan unveils retro-inspired Z Kaze concept with T-top roof

Nissan unveiled a one-off Z Kaze concept at ZCON in Phoenix, the annual gathering of the Z Car Club Association.

Concept debut and heritage cues

The name derives from the Japanese word for “wind,” and the centerpiece is a custom-engineered T-top roof, a first for the current seventh-generation Z, which has used a fixed roof since the 350Z.

T-tops appeared on the 280ZX and both generations of the 300ZX during the 1980s and 1990s; each panel incorporates a glass centre section that preserves cabin light even when closed.

North American product planners and designers imagined the car cruising California’s Pacific Coast Highway on a summer day, aiming to honor all seven Z generations dating back to the 1969 Fairlady Z.

“The Z Kaze concept celebrates some of Nissan’s most iconic open-top sports cars, while recognising the ‘90s tuning culture that helped put Nissan and NISMO on the map,” said Ponz Pandikuthira, senior vice president and chief product and planning officer for Nissan Americas.

Styling and performance details

The vehicle wears a vivid Pacific Teal finish and features import-tuner styling, including a vented carbon-fibre bonnet, flared guards, and a full carbon-fibre aero kit that comprises a front splitter, side skirts, a redesigned rear bumper and a pronounced lip spoiler.

The teal hue stands out against the black accents, drawing attention to the bespoke paintwork and reinforcing the concept’s eye-catching character.

Rare 18-inch Nismo LMGT2 forged multi-piece rims, long out of production, were sourced, restored and rebuilt for the project, measuring 10 inches wide up front and 11 inches at the rear.

Inside, the cabin swaps dark trim for white leather seats accented with carbon fibre, and Bose Personal Plus headrest speakers are installed to keep music audible when the T-top panels are removed.

Mechanical upgrades feature Nismo-supplied suspension enhancements, while the twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 receives GReddy components: a Supreme SP exhaust system, a front-mount air-to-air intercooler kit, and an Airinx air filter.

Nissan has not released updated power or torque figures for the modified engine; the standard Z produces 298 kW and 475 Nm from the same base unit.

Potential path to production

The Z Kaze will remain on display at ZCON through Saturday, September 26, before traveling to the Japanese Classic Car Show on October 3.

Nissan stresses the vehicle is a concept only, yet Pandikuthira added that sufficient enthusiast interest could prompt the company to bring the model into production.