Autoblog

Watch this Nissan 240SX roll during a drifting exhibition

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:58:00 EST

Probably the less said about this video, the better. According to the video uploader, the event takes place during the "Still Ballin' Car Club Nite Out" (yes, really), but we aren't sure if it's a proper race or just for show. Heck, we can't even figure out where the event took place.

At any rate, a pair of drivers are seriously going at it when what looks to be a 240SX pulling up the rear clips a corner and does some unintended tumbling. Thankfully, the Nissan driver was apparently alright. We'll leave it at that - follow the jump to see what happens. Beware, there's some explicit language in the video, including the music.

Continue reading Watch this Nissan 240SX roll during a drifting exhibition

Watch this Nissan 240SX roll during a drifting exhibition originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan-wielding Bloodmasters wreak havoc on Raceway Park

Zach Bowman — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, Nissan, Racing

At some point, drifting made the shift from counterculture revolution to the sponsor-laden vehicular equivalent of figure skating. We're not sure when it happened, but we certainly miss the days of watching grainy videos of mountain pass heroes piped over from Japan. The Bloodmasters crew seem to get where we're coming from. The guys just turned out a new video showing what happens when the crew gets together for a little fun at Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey. Let's just say there isn't a single booty-short wearing energy drink peddler or tube-chassis manufacturer vehicle in sight.

Instead, we're treated to some good old-fashioned fender bashing and tire shredding orchestrated under a mighty fine soundtrack. These guys are the kind of crazy that brought drifting across the Pacific in the first place, and from their ludicrous camera angles and similarly insane sideways antics, it looks like they're having considerably more fun than the Formula D crowd. We love that they don't seem to care how many dings and dents their Nissan 240SX coupes get, and they don't seem bothered by a few missing body panels, either. The whole film is well-shot, with portions looking downright Mad Max-like. Hit the jump to check it out.

Continue reading Nissan-wielding Bloodmasters wreak havoc on Raceway Park

Nissan-wielding Bloodmasters wreak havoc on Raceway Park originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan's MX-5 Miata rival back in the plans?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Rumormill, Electric

Nissan's on-again, off-again MX-5 Miata rival is... on again, at least according to the blokes at Auto Express. What form a potential two-door sporty coupe from Nissan may take - if it happens at all - is still widely debatable; it could be as simple as a cut-down Sentra or as crazy as a sporty take on the all-electric Leaf.

Did that last little tidbit catch you off guard? Remember that Nissan showed off just such a machine in the form of the Esflow Concept at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, though we wouldn't expect any potential production model to share much with that highly conceptual design.

In any case, Auto Express seems to think this sporty 2+2 may ride on a midsize platform sourced from Mercedes-Benz (the two automakers signed a partnership in 2010) that would be shared with whatever replaces the 370Z (along with its Infiniti G Coupe) and even the next-generation GT-R.

Another bit of wackiness? AE says Nissan is considering turning to the experts at Lotus for help in tuning the chassis for added sportiness. We suppose all of this is possible, but for now, we're taking it with the largest grain of salt we can get our hands on.

Nissan's MX-5 Miata rival back in the plans? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Nissan abandons thoughts of 240SX revival, ponders Sentra coupe instead

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Nissan

Nissan Foria Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

As much as we'd love to see Nissan hearken back to its performance roots with a remake of the classic 240SX coupe, it seems the Japanese automaker is content to earn sales by sticking to the tried-and-true approach of offering competent vehicles at attainable prices. In other words, if Nissan has a sporty-looking coupe in the pipeline, it'll be more of a Scion tC competitor than a Hyundai Genesis Coupe-challenger.

This revelation comes by way of Larry Dominique, chief product planner for Nissan North America, who tells Wards "he would be more inclined to do a derivative of the Sentra than introduce an entirely new nameplate." Nissan's internal data suggests that it could only sell about 30,000 240SX coupes in America per year, which isn't enough to make a convincing production argument. Sad, sure, but very likely also true.

In related news, Dominique also says that the next generation of Nissan cars in the States will share a great deal of design DNA. At present, there is very little visually that ties the Versa, Sentra and Altima together in any meaningful cohesive way besides the Nissan badge on the trunk. Expect that to change in the coming years as the nameplates receive their next rounds of styling updates.

Gallery: Nissan Fiora Concept

[Source: Wards]

Report: Nissan abandons thoughts of 240SX revival, ponders Sentra coupe instead originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yes, Again: Nissan rumored to be reviving 240SX, bringing it to the U.S.

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:26:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Japan, Nissan, Rumormill

Nissan Foria Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Nissan's plans to revive the 240SX (Silvia in JDM parlance) has almost become a running joke, right up there with the fake moon landing and Tom Cruise's heterosexuality. But still, this old chestnut carries forth, with a new report from Insideline's editor in Japan who says the coupe's revival is due to hit the market sometime in 2011 or 2012.

Details, per usual, are both scarce and obvious. The next-generation Silvia will supposedly be built atop Nissan's popular FM platform (370Z, Infiniti G, etc.), come in a 2+2 seating configuration and tip the scales around 2,800 pounds. Naturally, as the S15's successor, it will be a front-engine, rear-drive setup, and is rumored to be packing a turbocharged 1.8-liter inline-four putting out around 200 horsepower. A naturally aspirated variant will also be available to keep the cost of entry low, but the turbo'd model is obviously the pick of the litter and should deliver a 0-60 time of between six and seven seconds.

IL's man in Japan points to the Nissan Foria concept (shown above) as the stylistic inspiration, but notes that the coupe would only be "loosely based" on the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show concept. Judging by Nissan's recent design endeavors, we doubt the Foria -- or as previously rumored, the Urge concept -- will be a heavy influence on this supposed Silvia revival.

Although we're all for more budget-oriented FR sports cars, the popularity of the Toyota FT-86 is sure to be a factor in Nissan's decision to bring the 240SX back to life. That, coupled with the unknown demand for the Hyundai Genesis Coupe (Hyundai doesn't break out Genesis Sedan from Coupe sales in its monthly reports) makes the proposition of a new 2+2 from Nissan even more hazy. So until we hear something solid from Ghosn and Company, we'll resume our normal respiration routine.

Gallery: Nissan Fiora Concept

[Source: Insideline]

Yes, Again: Nissan rumored to be reviving 240SX, bringing it to the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vizualtech renders time-attack Nissan 200SX

Chris Paukert — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Nissan

Vizualtech Nissan 200SX time attack - Click above for high-res image gallery

The folks over at Vizualtech, the 3D rendering firm that brought you the Audi R8-inspired catamaran and a Le Mans-ready Dodge Challenger are at it again. This time, the team has put together a stunning widebody Nissan 240SX for time attack duty.

Evidently designed for an unnamed Swedish client, the turbocharged, 600-horsepower 200SX was inspired by a GT 500-class Japan GT Touring Car (although apparently they've taken a few theoretical liberties, as the GT 500 class is capped at 500 horses). That aside, we think this is a killer-looking job, one that we'd happily check out at the track.

Gallery: Vizualtech Nissan 200SX Time Attack

[Vizualtech via SeriousWheels]

Vizualtech renders time-attack Nissan 200SX originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coupe Scoop (Scoupe?) - Hyundai's Veloster concept headed for production... and America!

Chris Paukert — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:56:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Hyundai, Misc. Auto Shows, South Korea

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2007 Hyundai Veloster concept

Back at the 2007 Seoul Motor Show, Hyundai somewhat quietly unveiled a slick little coupe concept dubbed Veloster. The chunky, funky two-door then proceeded to make the rounds that show season, including stateside debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Thanks in part to good feedback, there was considerable speculation in 2007 that the front-drive showcar was being considered for production as a possible Scion tC fighter. In the intervening years since those rumors surfaced, however, Hyundai has gone on to roll out both concept and production versions of the Genesis Coupe, a development that seemingly extinguishing the Veloster's star. But all is not so - we have just learned from well-placed sources within Hyundai that the coupe (also known as the HND-3) has been given the green light. Furthermore, the car will not only reach production, it will find its way into U.S. dealerships, likely as a 2011 or 2012 model.

We expect the Veloster to keep its front-drive, two-plus-two layout, and it would make sense for the car to generate less power than the more performance-oriented 2.0T Genesis Coupe - a car that has 210 horsepower and 223 pound-feet of torque. The Veloster showcar was powered by Hyundai's 2.0-liter inline-four, and the production car figures to do the same. For reference, the corporate powerplant makes 141 hp in the new Elantra Touring, although a few more ponies would likely find its way into the barn for the sportier Veloster. If the Korean automaker can keep the concept's tidy packaging (it's nearly 21 inches shorter than the Genesis Coupe), performance should still be quite sprightly while returning attractive fuel-economy figures.

Interestingly, this news may also help explain why Hyundai chose to pass over branding the Genesis Coupe as a Tiburon. The Veloster's production name has reportedly not yet been decided upon, and as the shark moniker still has some brand equity - and the model itself has always been configured as a front-drive and four-cylinder - it's possible that the name could live on with this new model.

With the Genesis Coupe, Hyundai appears to have given disenfranchised import performance enthusiasts something of a successor to now-legendary rear-drive performance cars like the Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and the Toyota Corolla GT-S (AE86). Could the Velostar be Korea's answer to a latter-day Honda CRX? Cross your fingers...

Gallery: Hyundai Veloster Concept

Coupe Scoop (Scoupe?) - Hyundai's Veloster concept headed for production... and America! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Nissan Silvia on comeback trail?

John Neff — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 13:21:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Nissan

Last December we reported that Nissan was seriously considering a rear-wheel-drive replacement for the much missed 240SX, a.k.a. the Silvia in Japan. Rumors have continued to surface since then of Nissan's plans, with Winding Road even posting spy shots of a mule this past summer that may have been such a car undergoing testing. Another blog by the name of Rocket Punch Auto Blog claims to know that a new Silvia has gotten the green light and will arrive by 2010 with a price point between ¥2,000,000 and 2,500,000 ($18,435 and 23,044 USD). These renderings (click here to view rear shot) show what a new 240SX and Silvia might look like when it debuts on a modified version of the 350Z's platform. Regardless of how the car looks, the prospect of a new reasonably-priced rear-wheel-drive offering from any automaker is exciting news to us. We await the day in the near future when Nissan's 240SX/Silvia descendant shares a stoplight with a new incarnation of Toyota's famous AE86, which is also rumored to be in development. Throw in a Pontiac Solstice Coupe for good measure and we have ourselves a new bang-for-the-buck performance segment.

[Source: Rocket Punch Auto Blog via Motor Authority]

Rendered Speculation: Nissan Silvia on comeback trail? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Nov 2007 13:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another Cheap FR Sports Car? Nissan joins the fray

Justin Gardiner — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 08:55:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Japan, Nissan

Japan's top two auto makers have a long and sordid history of ripping off each other's successful designs. No sooner had the Nissan Cube become a run away success in its home market than Toyota came up with the similarly boxy bB (Scion xB). Many years earlier, after the Toyota HiLux Surf (4Runner) proved a hit with, well, surfers, Nissan restyled their Terrano with nigh on identical lines, hoping to ride on the coattails of the Toyota. And let's not get in to the Supra vs. Z and Celica vs. Skyline wars.

Now, just weeks after confirming that Toyota does indeed have a successor to the lauded AE86 in the pipeline, Best Car magazine claims to have evidence that Nissan has got a team working on building a new Silvia. Like the final 2002 S15 Spec R Silvia the new car is reckoned to be powered by a turbocharged two-liter good for 247 HP, but will just be 10 kgs heavier at one and a quarter metric tons (2450lbs).

The new range should sell for between 2.5 and 2.8 million Yen ($21,000 - $23,700), but not until 2010. Best Car's scoop ties in nicely with photographs of a shortened Z, most likely a mule testing a new, smaller FR drive train, taken at the ring earlier in the summer. If the new Silvia is indeed to be based on a modified Z/Skyline LM platform, expect a similar wheelbase of 8' 6", but smaller overall dimensions, around 14' 4" long by 5' 8" wide.

Chances of Nissan bringing a concept car, possibly derived from the URGE shown in Detroit last year, to October's Tokyo Motor Show? 60-percet according to the magazine.

[Source: Best Car]

Another Cheap FR Sports Car? Nissan joins the fray originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Aug 2007 08:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Nissan's affordable RWD sports car

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:26:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Nissan

Last week we told you about Nissan's plan to revise the 350Z and add a new, smaller RWD sports coupe to its lineup. All of a sudden, pics of that smaller sports coupe have appeared today on the interweb. Winding Road has a few clear shots of an oddly shaped 350Z-based mule tagging along behind a Porsche Boxster. The car looks a lot like a 350Z, but is much shorter overall and has spy photographers speculating it will be the Z-car's baby bro'.

Whether a new Z-car, new 240SX or whatever, it's just a mule for now. The Urge Concept is said to be the inspiration for the shape of the new small sports coupe, so hopefully future prototypes will be wearing a body we can recognize as influenced by that concept. There's no word on a powerplant for this new coupe, but we've already voted for a turbocharged version of the SE-R Spec-V QR25DE motor, just in case Nissan is listening. Hopefully it will be rear-drive, as well, but that goes without saying on a car like this. Click the Read link or the pic to view a few larger photos of this odd mule.

[Source: Winding Road]

Spy Shots: Nissan's affordable RWD sports car originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan seriously considering 200SX / 240SX / Silvia replacement

John Neff — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Japan, Nissan

Call it the Silvia or the 240SX or the 200SX (read up on the various names of the 200SX and where they were sold in the world here), but Nissan's now demised budget rear-wheel drive platform has been sorely missed in its homeland of Japan, in our own North America and elsewhere around the world. Word has it, however, that Nissan is considering a new rear-wheel drive coupe that would take up the 200SX cause of rear-wheel drive fun for the huddled masses. The Foria Concept (shown above) that debuted at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show is the front running candidate to become a new 200SX, considering the good reaction it garnered at that year's show. Don't count out the Urge, however, which was unveiled at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show. AutoCar reports that Nissan is even open to producing a mid-engine car to slot below the 350Z. Whatever plan gets pinned down for production, we just hope Nissan keeps it rear-wheel drive and starts it around $20k - $22k. That seems to be the hot spot where a Ford Mustang V6, Pontiac Solstice and Mazda Miata would all be on the same shopping list for a RWD sports car.

[Source: AutoCar]

Nissan seriously considering 200SX / 240SX / Silvia replacement originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Dec 2006 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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