While Nissan is clearly enjoying great success with its 370Z and GT-R models, the Japanese automaker is missing a viable competitor to the upcoming Scion FR-S.59
Even though America never got the chance to enjoy a true Silvia 200SX (powered by a SR20DET), enthusiasts have taken the 240SXs we’ve gotten in America and swapped in the potent 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder. Now Nissan is considering producing a lighter, smaller sports car that could see a revival of the Silvia model.
Shiro Nakamura, Nissan’s design boss, recently said in an interview, “I much prefer smaller sports car. It is the time to look at that. With 370Z, we still don’t know next generation will have a larger or smaller engine.” The designer went on to elaborate that reducing the weight of the next-generation Nissan sports car is a priority.
Given the price range of the FR-S, it would make much more sense for Nissan to revive the SX moniker than to offer a less powerful Z.
“Sports car is a core of Nissan. We … really we have to sit down and work out what the future sports car should be for us,” Nakamura said.
Regardless of whether or not a new model is on the horizon, Nissan is working to lighten its current Z and GT-R models even more. But hey, we would welcome a smaller, lighter, and cheaper Nissan sports car with open arms.
