TOKYO — With all the media buzz surrounding Toyota's FT-86 and Honda's CR-Z lately, Nissan, which considers itself the preeminent Japanese sports-car maker, is planning to strike back with an all-new version of the 240SX. After getting the proverbial axe in 2002, the 240SX (we call it the Silvia here) will feature styling and packaging loosely based on the Foria concept car that was shown at the 2005 Tokyo Auto Show.
The next 240SX will be built on a shortened version of Nissan's FR-L platform, the same one used for the 370Z and Infiniti G sedan, meaning that the power will be transferred to the rear wheels.
The resurrected 240SX front-engine/rear-drive 2+2 coupe will retain its predecessor's image (the S15) as Nissan's entry-level performance car. The engine is expected to come in the form of a 1.8-liter turbocharged inline-4 with about 200 horsepower. There also may be a naturally aspirated power plant added to the mix, one that will cater to the bargain hunters. We hear that the car will tip the scales around 2,800 pounds, so expect 0-60-mph times in the 6-7-second range.
Plenty of options will be offered, including a flamboyant body kit.
That the new 240SX will be a popular tuner car is a given, so don't be surprised to see 300- to 400-hp conversions (or more) soon after the car is introduced in 2011 or 2012. As for price, we haven't heard much, but expect it to be right on top of the FT-86 and next-generation Mazda MX-5.
Inside Line says: With hot models like the FT-86 and CR-Z on the horizon, Nissan needs the new 240SX to remain competitive in the entry-level performance car segment. — Mak Tokuyama, Correspondent
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kjgood says:
09:58 AM, 12/17/2009
Nissan styling of late has been a mixed bag, so it will be interesting to see what final form the new 240 takes. Personally, I'd rather see a more clean approach than one cluttered with stupid flourishes like the "Nike-swoop" lights on the Maxima & 370Z. What will be of greater significance IMO is the weight and price point of the final product. Nissan will need to avoid the price and curb weight creep, especially in relation to whatever HP spec the engine will have, which effectively strangled the desirability of the previous 240Z in the US. This is especially true if this market segmenet starts to get crowed - there's now a rumored Hyundai/Kia competitor in the wings.
Of course, I have to differ with part of Edmund's quote: "With hot models like the FT-86 and CR-Z, Nissan needs the new 240SX to remain competitive in the entry-level performance car segment" The upcomg CR-Z will no doubt sell, but no one is maintaining that it will be especially "hot." In fact, it is likely to be a slowish thing focusing more on Honda's green-mantra to the expense of all else. So, with Honda having abandoned any pretense of true sporting performance (as I know from leaving behind my 3rd S-2000, and having nothing in the corporation left with which to consider replacing it), I doubt that the 240 will have any worries from that quarter for the moment. But the rest of the comment is true, and if Nissan doesn't learn lessons from the last 240 in the US, they may as well not bother.
I would love to see them do this car, if done properly.
redmenace says:
08:40 AM, 12/15/2009
@ mind_ride: I was going to say the same thing... looks just like a 9-5 coupe.
davesuton says:
09:57 PM, 12/14/2009
Nissan designers work with the lights out. Look at the FX, EX, Maxima, Murano, 370, and so on. This looks just as bad, and wont be on many of our shopping list.
mind_ride says:
08:25 AM, 12/14/2009
Looks like a coupe version of the new 9-5 that Saab was planning to debut soon.
gmhl10 says:
06:54 AM, 12/12/2009
What I meant about the Renault comment was that the looks have turned ugly. As I stated with the R35 comment, it's a "crazy good" car, but the thing is still super ugly. I did not mean that Renault did a bad job on performance or that they didn't save the company. I know Nissan was headed into bankruptcy before them and they had to restructure for a while. And yes, I haven't felt the "power" of a modern VQ engine, but I prefer my S54 engine anyway.
icecubefosho says:
05:16 PM, 12/11/2009
1) The French saved Nissan. It was going to die. The new Q45, G35, FX, Murano, Titan, etc were effects of the Renault Alliance.
2) You obviously have never felt the power of a modern VQ engine
3) The Nissan F-Alpha truck platform is arguably one of the bests.
4) Infiniti is very lively and inspiring
Some lower ended Nissans are crappy (Versa Sedan, Sentra) but that can be argued with any company. Yarises are terrible, Corollas are totally uninspiring. Civics have far too much electronic assistance, they do not drive as well as the 1999 Civic Coupes either (Those felt more lively and stout).
Nissan Trucks and higher vehicles like the Altima 6 Cylinder, Maxima, Xterra, Titan, Frontier, etc are THE best of any Japanese manufacturer.
gmhl10 says:
11:36 AM, 12/11/2009
The S15 Silvia was a great car by all means. Design was gorgeous, power was better than the S13 and S14 equivalents, nice RWD drivetrain, and lightweight.
That Foria thing on the 2nd picture though... c'mon Nissan...
I pretty much lost my love for Nissan after 2001. Even though the R35 GT-R may be a crazy good car, it still doesn't make the car look any better.
I guess that's what happens when you let the French take over the company...
a_sneaky_snake says:
10:49 AM, 12/11/2009
If Nissan is actuality serious about this I hope it will have a lot more than 200HP lol thats barely more than a Si and less than a base Genesis Coupe. I hope it stays at or gets under 2800lbs
firstclass says:
10:22 AM, 12/11/2009
Smart move, dropping the 240 in the states has allowed the car to gain ever increasing desirability. Now they plan on reintroducing it again just as they did with the 350z. It will be a hit I'm sure, I just wish Nissan would stop yo-yoing us. Nissan obviously likes to be the automotive equivalent of "new coke".
I really don't want to see anything styled like the 370z though. That would be a bad idea. Let's remember it's not what most would call and attractive design. I liked the old 240s because they had low beltlines and the rear-end never had a rake to it. 'I'm growing tired of the wedge profile they've been putting on cars for the past 15 years. The 240 will be a welcomed design if they stick to its heritage.
minibro77 says:
10:03 AM, 12/11/2009
Yeah. How about a less expensive 4 Cylinder 370Z style car for the masses. That would be the ultimate formula for success.