According to company insiders with whom we've spoken, Nissan has been working on its own compact, rear-wheel-drive vehicle for over three years, and the announcement from Toyota and Subaru about their own RWD coupe has caused Nissan to ramp-up development.
Details on the new vehicle are still scarce, but BestCar is reporting that Nissan is planning to utilize a shortened version of the Z's FM platform powered by either a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter or possibly a 1.6- or 1.8-liter turbocharged four. According to the Japanese pub, the successor to the S15 Silvia will be approximately 4,350 mm long, 1,750 mm wide and share the same wheelbase as the Z. Like the Subaru/Toyota vehicle, Nissan is attempting to keep the curb weight low, along with the price.
While the NA 2.0-liter is one possible form of motivation, Nissan is supposedly working on a new, direct-injection four-cylinder that could make use of Nissan's Variable Compression Ratio (VCR) system. Partnered with a small, efficient turbo, power could range from 140 to 215 hp, returning the fuel-economy of a smaller NA mill.
The Subaru/Toyota coupe is expected to debut in 2011, but Nissan wants to beat its competitor's offering to market, so expect the return of the Silvia to bow in late 2010.
[Source: BestCar via 7tune.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
mcheddadi @ May 5th 2008 12:40PM
The s15 silvia was awesome. I can't wait to see this new one
Franz @ May 5th 2008 2:13PM
Ditto. If this new coupe is anything as good as the old Silvia was, I'm definitely getting one... as long as it has a stout turbo 4.
glitched @ May 5th 2008 3:15PM
Hey, I kinda hope they do a modern retro styling on it.
I htink the best lookin cars on the road are usually older cars or have retro styling...
Dave @ May 6th 2008 8:26AM
Nissan is finally starting to make some cars worth looking at. I miss the old Z styling of the 240.
Russell @ May 5th 2008 12:42PM
Make Mine Skyline Blue
PauloBecker @ May 5th 2008 2:11PM
You mean Bayside Blue?
naggs @ May 5th 2008 7:59PM
like Bayside High?
xpolarx @ May 5th 2008 12:44PM
Alright, I used to have an S14 Silvia and the S15 is one of my favorite looking cars of all time...so they hold a special place in my heart. That being said...unless the new Z-car is a full second faster to sixty than the current model, it would be hard to produce a Silvia fast enough to sell competitively with the likes of the Kappa twins and the miata without encroaching on the Z's sales. So, if this car comes to production, I doubt we'll be seeing it on this side of the pacific. Laaaame.
mk @ May 5th 2008 12:48PM
If anything, the Z would compete with the turbo kappas, as 2-seat sports cars.
and this S15 resurrection would be an alternate to the Altima FWD coupe, and the Toyubaru coupe, and Genesis Coupe, all with 2+2 seating.
Red @ May 5th 2008 1:02PM
There's also one other manufacturer rumored to be producing a rwd car around the same price/performance as the Toyubaru coupe and upcoming Nissan car. It's going to be a very competitive market and a very good time to be a car enthusiast. At least, I know I'm excited.
Stinknok @ May 19th 2008 9:45PM
genisis coupe is 2 seater.
EquinsuOcha @ May 5th 2008 6:24PM
Bring back the Starion!
mk @ May 19th 2008 10:57PM
The Genesis coupe is most certainly NOT a 2 seater. It is a 2+2, it has two rear seats, which is why it has the dorky drooping quarter windows, for rear passenger visibility, according to Hyundai.
Adam @ May 5th 2008 12:57PM
OMG. My pants are sticky.
MemphisNET @ May 5th 2008 12:59PM
Chrysler : WAKE UP! Here is your Dodge Demon platform. Leave the Chery chassis for chinese consumption.
Cameron @ May 5th 2008 1:08PM
Cheer this man!
Nissan can have Dodge-made pickups and Dodge can have Nissan-made RWD entry level sports cars!
Stéphane Dumas @ May 5th 2008 3:27PM
I agree with you MemphisNew :-) that'll be a good opportunity for Chrysler to use this upcoming Nissan RWD platform.
I wonder if this future RWD platform might also be modified to built some compact RWD sedans? (who are less costly to buy then a BMW 1 or 3-series, creating a sort of "poor's man BMW") Some folks who wants a small RWD car but with more practical attributes, so they can have their cake and eating it too.
jurm @ May 5th 2008 1:06PM
Two words: Manual transmission.
If it won't have one, don't bother bringing it over; I'm not interested. And while you're at it, make it fun to drive. No more bland, unimaginative, neutered by a committee cars please.
tweezy @ May 5th 2008 1:14PM
Am I the only one who finds the concept of a car with VCR in it slightly funny?
That being said, I'll take 2 please. thx.
Esprit bird @ May 5th 2008 1:20PM
Nissan can lend this over to Chrysler and maybe we'll see a return of the Stealth lol.