Nissan’s iconic drift king sports coupe imagined for our time with an electrified twist
by Josh Byrnes
April 13, 2024 at 14:19
- Nissan’s global product planning chief is a fan of creating an affordable electric sports car to compete with the Toyota GR86 and upcoming Honda Prelude.
- A potential Silvia revival could feature a sleek design inspired by the original and Nissan’s 2021 concept sketches.
- The electric Silvia might utilize a rear-wheel drive setup with dual motors, offering a base 302 hp and a potential Nismo variant with 389 hp.
The desire for an affordable sports car is far from dying, as reports indicate Nissan may revive the Silvia/200SX/240SX sports car series to rival Honda’s new Prelude and Toyota GT86. Ivan Espinosa, Nissan’s Senior Vice President of Global Product Planning, discussed this possibility with Top Gear, outlining a dream plan to create an affordable, entry-level sports car positioned below the Z Coupe and iconic GT-R.
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After all, the Japanese automaker has always had something rapid in its line-up, depending on the region: Pulsar GTI-R, Primera GT, 300ZX, Skyline 2000GT-R, 280Z, Stagea 260RS Autech – the list of hot Nissans are endless. This begs the question, if the Silvia were to be revived, what powertrains could it use, and how should it look? Let’s explore further.
A Sideways Glance
Drawing inspiration from the 1965 original (also called the Datsun 1600 coupe) and internal concept sketches released by the company in 2021, this study leans into past heritage to move forward. The view from the front is ultra-modern, with hints of Nissan’s 2013 IDx Concept and a heavily recessed LED lighting panel and DRL lightbar that frames the underside of the clamshell hood.
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Like Nissan’s own Silvia design sketches, the side profile is clean, with a prominent shoulder line that wraps around the front and rear. The sleek glasshouse sports black A-pillars for a floating roof effect, and the C-pillar draws linage from the R32 GT-R. Out back, slim taillamps are horizontal in orientation, with an eye-catching diffuser cementing the go-fast look.
Power To The People
The Silvia was (and it still is today) wildly sought after for its SR20DET, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engin . But, in a significant departure from its predecessors, Nissan’s anticipated venture into electric sports cars will undoubtedly polarize many yet cater to a new generation of enthusiasts.
Ideally, it would feature a rear-wheel drive, dual-motor setup with 225 kW (302 hp) in the base specification, while the higher-output Nismo would pump out 290 kW (389 hp) and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) of torque.
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As part of Nissan’s future strategy, in-house developed all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) are a safe bet. These are hailed as a “game-changing technology,” doubling energy density and potentially reducing charging times to a third. They also address one major issue with all EVs: weight. No matter how well the grip and chassis management of the vehicle are, the weight of today’s lithium-ion batteries is akin to wearing concrete-filled Nikes at a marathon.
The shift to solid-state electric power also aligns with Nissan’s intent to introduce ASSBs across its vehicle line-up, including high-performance models like the next-generation GT-R.
Canyon-Carving Alternatives
Direct competitors would include sports cars like Toyota’s GR86, Toyota Supra (2.0-litre Turbo) Subaru BRZ, Mazda MX-5, and Honda’s upcoming new Prelude. A Nismo variant would likely face off against MG’s new Cyberster and, in the distant future, Tesla’s mythical Roadster.
Pricing would be an intriguing sticking point. After all, the larger Z goes between US $42,210 and $64,990, and anything with a battery – lithium or solid state – would be a tall ask to keep pricing below that.
Should the Silvia return as an EV, or is ICE the way to go? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Note: This story contains illustrations that are not endorsed by or affiliated with Nissan.
