Nissan Z Kaze concept brings T-tops back to the current Z

Nissan has unveiled the Z Kaze, a T-top version of the current Z, at ZCON 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona, according to Motor Illustrated. The concept was developed internally by Nissan product planners and designers. Its name comes from the Japanese word for “wind,” referencing the removable roof panels and open-air configuration.

The T-top is described as the concept’s most defining modification. Nissan has produced several open-roof Z variants over the model’s seven generations, but the current Z is sold only as a fixed-roof coupe. Nissan has not announced production plans for the Kaze or indicated that a removable-roof model is under consideration.

The Pacific Teal paint references 1990s Japanese tuner culture. The concept also has a vented carbon-fibre bonnet, widened wings and a custom carbon-fibre aerodynamic package. It sits on restored 18-inch NISMO LMGT2 wheels, a discontinued forged multi-piece design that the project team located and rebuilt. The front wheels are 10 inches wide and the rear wheels are 11 inches wide.

Inside, white leather seats have Bose Personal Plus speakers integrated into the headrests.

The Z Kaze retains the Z’s 400hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6, although Nissan did not provide a revised output figure. GReddy components include a SUPREME SP exhaust, a front-mounted air-to-air intercooler and an Airinx intake filter. NISMO suspension upgrades were installed, but individual components and chassis settings were not specified.

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

The Z Kaze will remain at ZCON through September 26. Nissan then plans to display it at the Japanese Classic Car Show on October 31.