Automotive
Nissan has never been shy about digging into the Z’s history, but the new Nissan Z Kaze concept takes nostalgia to a level that should immediately get longtime enthusiasts talking. Revealed at ZCON, the one-off creation transforms the current Z with one of the most recognizable features from past generations: a removable T-top roof. Add a wild Pacific Teal finish, genuine old-school NISMO wheels, carbon fiber bodywork, and some choice GReddy hardware, and the result feels like a modern Z transported straight out of the golden age of Japanese tuner cars.
The T-top is unquestionably the centerpiece. Nissan’s current Z already borrows visual cues from several generations of the sports car, including elements inspired by the original 240Z and the later 300ZX. The Kaze takes that connection much further by bringing back removable roof panels similar to those found on the 280ZX and 300ZX. Both panels incorporate glass sections, allowing additional light into the cabin even when they are installed. The name is fitting, too, as “kaze” translates to “wind” in Japanese, which pretty much explains what Nissan wants drivers to experience once those panels come off.
Rather than simply cutting holes in the roof and calling the project finished, Nissan gave the rest of the car a proper 1990s-inspired makeover. Carbon fiber vents have been worked into the hood, while extended carbon fiber wheel arches help give the Z a broader and more planted stance. The aerodynamic package continues with a carbon fiber front splitter, side skirts, and rear diffuser, complete with small fins and details that would have looked perfectly at home on a heavily modified Japanese performance car three decades ago. Pacific Teal paint ties everything together with a color that feels deliberately period-correct without turning the Z into a rolling caricature.
Then there are the wheels, which might be nearly as interesting as the roof. Nissan fitted the Z Kaze with 18-inch NISMO LMGT2 wheels, a highly desirable design that has been out of production for years. Instead of creating a new wheel that merely looked old, the team reportedly tracked down an original set and had them restored for the concept. Finished in white against the teal bodywork, they deliver exactly the kind of look many longtime Nissan enthusiasts will remember from the heyday of Japanese tuner culture. It is a small detail with a huge impact on the car’s overall personality.
The retro theme continues inside, although Nissan avoided simply recreating a 1990s cockpit. Custom white leather covers the seats and carries onto portions of the dashboard and door panels, creating a much brighter cabin than what we normally see in performance cars. Carbon fiber accents provide some visual contrast and help connect the interior with the exterior modifications. Nissan even fitted Bose Personal Plus speakers into the headrests, which makes plenty of sense when the roof panels are removed and wind noise starts competing with whatever is playing through the audio system.
Thankfully, the Z Kaze is more than a styling exercise. Nissan upgraded the suspension with NISMO components and turned to GReddy for several modifications to the familiar twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. The setup includes a front-mounted air-to-air intercooler, Airinx air filter kit, and Supreme SP exhaust system. Nissan has not announced a horsepower figure for the modified engine, so it is unclear how much additional output the hardware provides. Still, the combination of NISMO chassis work and legitimate GReddy performance parts makes the Kaze feel more like an enthusiast-built Z than a typical auto-show concept.
For now, Nissan is calling the Z Kaze a concept, but this might not be the end of the story. After appearing at ZCON in Phoenix, the car is scheduled to make another public appearance at the Japanese Classic Car Show in Long Beach, California. More importantly, Nissan executives have indicated that strong enthusiast interest could influence whether a T-top Z eventually reaches production. That possibility alone makes the Kaze especially interesting. In a market where many new vehicles seem determined to leave the past behind, Nissan has created something refreshingly different by asking a simple question: what if some of the best parts of the Z’s past still belong in its future?
Mike Floyd is a finance executive by trade and a car enthusiast at heart. As a CFO with a keen eye for detail and strategy, Mike brings his analytical mindset to the automotive world, uncovering fresh insights and unique perspectives that go beyond the surface. His passion for cars—especially his favorite, the Porsche 911, fuels his contributions to Automotive Addicts, where he blends a love for performance and design with his professional precision. Whether he’s breaking down industry trends or spotlighting emerging innovations, Mike helps keep the site both sharp and forward-thinking.
