Nissan Unveils the Z Kaze Concept, a T-Top Open-Air Sports Car Inspired by the Classic 300ZX

Nissan just officially pulled the cover off a serious dose of automotive nostalgia, dropping the Nissan Z Kaze Concept at the annual ZCon gathering for Z enthusiasts in Phoenix, Arizona. Developed internally as a dedicated passion project, the vehicle serves as a direct celebration of the brand’s storied open-top heritage. Taking its moniker from the Japanese word for “wind,” the Nissan Z Kaze is defined by a custom-engineered T-top roof featuring fully removable sections. This open-air architectural choice leans heavily into the past, specifically mimicking the iconic silhouette seen on both generations of the classic Nissan 300ZX. By reviving this beloved roofline, the concept functions as more than just a modern show car; it actively bridges the gap between today’s contemporary sports car lineup and the legendary 1990s tuning culture that originally helped popularize both Nissan and NISMO on a global scale.

The visual execution leans entirely into that golden era of aftermarket modification while keeping the finish unmistakably premium. Paint for the project is a striking Pacific Teal scheme, a color choice directly inspired by panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean found along California’s famous Pacific Coast Highway. Contrasting that vibrant teal is a custom carbon fiber body kit that completely transforms the coupe’s factory exterior. A carbon fiber hood and sweeping fender flares give the vehicle a dramatically wider physical footprint, which is perfectly filled out by a set of restored, authentic 18-inch Nismo LMGT2 wheels. These classic rims measure a massive 10 inches wide in the front and 11 inches wide in the rear, aggressively anchoring the car to the pavement.

Inside the cabin, the design team opted to keep the layout clean, elevating an otherwise mostly stock cabin with heavily curated details. The cockpit is upgraded with custom white leather seats, while dedicated carbon fiber accent trim runs throughout the space to echo the exterior styling. To ensure the sound system can compete with the rush of the wind when the roof sections are stowed away, the automaker integrated Bose Personal Plus headrest speakers directly into the seating.

On the performance front, Nissan partnered directly with tuning house GReddy to mechanically tune the vehicle in strict alignment with its overarching 1990s nostalgia theme. The beating heart of the concept remains the vehicle’s standard twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 engine, a powerplant that inherently produces 420 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. To elevate this baseline, the engine upgrades include a front-mount air-to-air intercooler, an Airin air filter kit and a completely new Supreme SP exhaust system. The company did not specify whether this suite of included mechanical upgrades successfully pushes the engine’s power output beyond its stock figures.

Enthusiasts looking to catch the concept in the metal have a brief window to do so. The concept will remain on official display at ZCon through September 26. Following that desert debut, the car will pack up and head toward the coast, where it will be exhibited at the Japanese Classic Car Show in Long Beach, California on October 3.