The T-Top is back — This is the Nissan Z Kaze Concept

Nissan unveiled the Z Kaze concept at ZCON, the annual enthusiast convention of the Z Car Club Association. Built to honor Nissan’s seven generations of Z sports cars, the Z Kaze concept prominently features a raised roof panel as a central design element.

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Named after the Japanese word for wind, kaze, the concept’s defining feature is a custom-engineered T-top roof. A team of Nissan product planners and designers conceived and developed the project to highlight the open-top origins of the Z sports car, using a drive along California’s Pacific Coast Highway as a reference point.

“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,” said Ponz Pandikuthira, senior vice president, chief product and planning officer, Nissan Americas. “This passion project combines Nissan’s engineering excellence, creativity and celebration of the brand’s heritage.”

Designers finished the Z Kaze concept in a Pacific Teal paint scheme referencing ’90s sports car culture. Modifications to the Z’s body draw from the import-tuner scene of that era, including a vented carbon fiber hood, fender flares, and a carbon fiber aerodynamic body kit. Nissan says the changes were intended to balance the Z’s existing styling with a more aggressive stance.

Wheels are restored authentic 18-inch NISMO LMGT2 units, forged, multi-piece wheels no longer in production. Product planners located an original set and had them rebuilt for the concept. They measure 10 inches wide at the front and 11 inches at the rear.

Inside, the concept departs from the black-trim convention common on concept car interiors, using white leather seating instead. Carbon-fiber trim carries over from the exterior. The seats include Bose Personal Plus headrest speakers, intended for use with the roof removed.

Suspension components come from NISMO. The twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine is paired with parts from tuning company GReddy, including a SUPREME SP exhaust system, a front-mount air-to-air intercooler kit, and an Airinx air filter kit.

The Nissan Z Kaze concept will remain on display at ZCON in Phoenix, Arizona, through Saturday, September 26, before moving to the Japanese Classic Car Show on Saturday, October 31.

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