2026 Nissan Z Heritage Edition - Fourth Generation Sports Car

The 2026 Nissan Z Heritage Edition is a love letter to the 1990s, specifically designed to bridge the gap between the modern Z’s performance and the analog nostalgia of the legendary Z32 300ZX. While the 2024–2025 Heritage Edition focused on the original 240Z (with orange paint and a split grille), the 2026 model pivots toward the "Radwood" era of turbo dominance.

Exterior: A Midnight Purple Tribute

The headline for the 2026 model is undoubtedly the paint. It arrives in Midnight Purple, a color that gained legendary status on the R34 Skyline GT-R but also appeared in a rare "Deep Purple Metallic" hue on late-model 300ZXs.

Retro Graphics: The sides feature vintage-style "Twin Turbo" decals that run along the door line, a direct nod to the font used in the early '90s.
The Carbon Wing: It features a bespoke carbon-fiber ducktail spoiler. Look closely, and you’ll find a retro-font "Twin Turbo" badge—a small detail that enthusiasts will appreciate.
Bronze Accents: The car sits on 19-inch RAYS® forged-alloy wheels finished in bronze. This contrast against the purple paint is a classic JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) aesthetic.
C-Pillar Heritage: Commemorative wreath decals on the C-pillars signify its status as a special edition.

Performance: The Heart of a Modern Legend

Mechanically, the Heritage Edition is built on the Performance trim. While it doesn't get the 420-hp bump of the NISMO, it retains the pure, enthusiast-focused setup that many prefer for daily driving and canyon carving.

The real charm of this edition is the availability of the 6-speed manual. While the NISMO trim is now gaining a manual for 2026, the Heritage Edition remains a more accessible way to get a "special" Z with three pedals and a mechanical limited-slip differential.

Interior: Functional and Nostalgic

The interior remains largely unchanged from the standard Z Performance, which is both a blessing and a curse. It retains the triple-pod analog gauges atop the dash—showing boost, turbine speed, and voltage which perfectly fit the Heritage vibe.

Exclusive Touches: You get "Heritage Edition" door kick plates and plush embroidered floor mats.
Tech: A 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes standard, paired with an 8-speaker Bose® Premium Audio system.
Seats: Heated, leather-appointed power seats provide enough comfort for grand touring, though they lack the aggressive bolstering of the NISMO's Recaros.

The Value Proposition

The Heritage Edition is an appearance package priced at $2,940 on top of the Performance trim.

Base Price (Performance): ~$53,000
Heritage Edition Total: $55,910 (approx. MSRP)

For less than $3,000, you are getting a factory-painted Midnight Purple car with forged RAYS wheels and carbon fiber accents. In the aftermarket world, a high-quality respray in Midnight Purple alone could cost twice that amount.