• The new Z Heritage Edition celebrates more than half a century of Z 
• Strictly limited to just 10 units for sale across Australia 
• All units finished in legendary Midnight Purple paint born on the GT-R 
• Melbourne Z Owners Club members gathered to welcome the model ahead of its local launch

01/04/2026 - Melbourne: Some cars are measured in horsepower and lap times. The Nissan Z has always been measured in something harder to quantify – the stories it creates, the communities it builds, and the memories forged across more than five decades and seven generations of an icon.

Today, Nissan Australia announces the Z Heritage Edition – a strictly limited special edition that unites the Z nameplate with one of the most iconic finishes in Nissan performance history.

Treated exclusively in Midnight Purple, a colour synonymous with the GT-R, and riding on bronze 19-inch RAYS forged-alloy wheels, just 10 examples of the Nissan Z Heritage Edition will be sold to Australian enthusiasts.

“The Nissan Z Heritage Edition is a celebration of what the Z nameplate means to the people who’ve loved these cars for generations,” said Steve Milette, Managing Director, Nissan Oceania.

“By bringing Midnight Purple to the Z, we’re honouring the shared performance DNA between two of Nissan’s most celebrated nameplates. And with only 10 available in Australia, this is a rare opportunity for true enthusiasts.” 

Seven Generations of Z: A Legacy Like No Other

The Z story began in 1969 when Nissan launched the Datsun 240Z – known as the Fairlady Z in Japan. Designed as a stylish, affordable six-cylinder sports car that could challenge European rivals at a fraction of the price, the 240Z was an instant sensation from its global debut.

A family tree of legends followed: the 260Z and 280ZX; the V6-powered 300ZX in both Z31 and Z32 forms; the 350Z that revived the nameplate in 2002 after several years’ absence; and the long-serving 370Z, which carried the Z flag from 2009 to 2020. 

The most recent iteration, simply badged Nissan Z, combines retro-inspired styling with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 producing 298kW and 475Nm, delivering engaging performance in both manual and automatic form.

Throughout that lineage, Australia has maintained a passionate relationship with the Z. From the earliest right-hand drive 240Z deliveries in 1970 through to the Z NISMO’s initial allocation selling out in under an hour when it launched here in August 2023, the nameplate has always found a dedicated following on local soil.

A Community That Spans Generations

That sense of connection isn’t nostalgia – it’s something owners continue to live today.

At a recent gathering of the Nissan Datsun Sports Owners Club in Melbourne, nearly every generation of Z came together – from early Datsun 240Zs to later 370Zs and 300ZX models – each car representing a different chapter of the same story. For some, that story stretches back decades.

For the owner of a fastidiously restored 1972 Datsun 240Z Dave Toleman, the appeal of the Z is “its style, sportiness and legendary reliability. It just has iconic looks and performance”.

Ron Ray, a life member of the club with more than 50 years of involvement, has owned everything from early Datsun roadsters through to multiple Z generations. Today, he drives a 370Z – a car that keeps him connected to the community he’s been part of for half a century.

“My Z is really my connection to the club,” he said. “I’ve been part of it for over 50 years. I’ve had a lot of different models over that time, but the Z has always been the constant.”

For others, the appeal lies in how the Z has evolved while never losing its identity.
Mark Todd, who has owned his 280ZX for more than 30 years and now also drives a pristine Z31 300ZX, says the design DNA has always been unmistakable.

“From the 240Z right through, Nissan just got the styling right,” he said. “I’ve always loved long-bonnet sports cars – E-Types, Corvettes – but the Z was something I could actually own and fit into being 6 foot four. That’s what made it special.”

That accessibility – performance and style within reach – is a theme echoed across generations of owners.

Rod Thomson, whose ownership history spans from Datsun roadsters to a 350Z, sees the Z as a car that has always delivered on its sporting promise. “The Z really shows the sporting side of Nissan,” he said. “The 350Z has plenty of power, handles beautifully on tight, winding roads, and it’s just a joy to drive.”

For newer members of the community, the legacy is something they’ve inherited – and are now helping carry forward. Jackson Fryer who recently purchased a 280ZX after previously owning multiple 300ZX models, says the Z’s enduring appeal comes down to its authenticity. “Z cars have so much heritage and such a strong fan base,” he said. “They’re not overdone – they’re just right. Even the early cars still feel special to drive today.”

And for Andrew Costello, President of the club, that shared passion is what continues to bring owners together. “It’s one of the most amazing collections of cars,” he said. “The heritage, the history in Australia, the styling – and the courage Nissan had to take on the world with the original Z. That’s what keeps people involved.”

Midnight Purple: From GT-R Legend to Z Icon

The limited release Nissan Z Heritage Edition showcases Nissan’s iconic Midnight Purple colour.

Midnight Purple first appeared on the Skyline GT-R in the 1990s, quickly becoming one of Nissan’s most sought-after colours. It evolved through several iterations, including the famous Midnight Purple III on the R34 GT-R V-Spec.

The colour-shifting paint was initially considered taboo for production vehicles, but Nissan designers felt it suited the GT-R’s character – and enthusiasts agreed. 

The Z Heritage Edition’s Midnight Purple finish creates a dramatic visual statement that shifts with lighting conditions.

Complementing the exclusive paint are 19-inch bronze RAYS forged-alloy wheels, providing a sophisticated contrast to the Heritage Edition’s exterior. 

Performance Heritage Meets Modern Engineering

The Z Heritage Edition features a rear-wheel drive layout and Nissan's potent 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo engine producing 298kW of power and 475Nm of torque. 

The Heritage Edition is available with a choice of either a six-speed close-ratio manual transmission with Exedy high-performance clutch, or a responsive nine-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
 

Standard equipment includes a mechanical limited-slip differential, launch control, 12.3-inch TFT driver display with multiple modes, 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto>, heated front seats with leather-accented seat trim#, active noise cancellation and sound enhancement, plus comprehensive safety features including Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Intelligent Cruise Control^.

The Heritage Edition sits alongside the flagship Z NISMO in the Australian range.

Z Heritage Edition Pricing

The Nissan Z Heritage Edition is priced from $77,410@, just $1250 over the Z Coupe. For anyone who misses out, the 2026 Z is confirmed for Australia and will arrive later this year. Australian prices and updated specifications will be shared closer to the launch.

The current Z range is available at Nissan dealers nationally, backed by Nissan’s comprehensive up to 10-year/300,000km* Nissan MORE warranty and up to 10 years/300,000km of Roadside Assistance% when serviced at authorised Nissan dealers.