Nissan Silvia - Everything You Need to Know | Up to Speed - Summary

Summary

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**Nissan S Chassis (Silvia/240SX/200SX/180SX) History**

* **1976**: First S Chassis (S10) launched as an affordable, lightweight, rear-wheel drive alternative to larger sports cars.
* **Generations**:
1. **S10 (1976-1984)**: Initial model, with a notable racing variant (240 RS) for Group B.
2. **S12 (1984-1989)**: Introduced pop-up headlights and a turbocharged engine (outside the US).
3. **S13 (1989-1993)**: Became iconic in drifting, with a turbocharged SR20 engine (outside the US) and a 2.4L KA24 engine in the US.
4. **S14 (1993-1999)**: Wider, lower, and longer wheelbase, with styling updates (Zenki and Kouki).
5. **S15 (1999-2002)**: Final generation, sold only in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, with the last SR20 engine.
* **Legacy**: The S Chassis spawned a culture around drifting, with popular models now carrying a "drift tax" (increased market value). Despite rumors, no S16 has been announced, but recent competitor moves might change this.

Facts

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**Nissan S Chassis General Facts**

1. The Nissan S chassis originated as an affordable alternative to larger, more powerful rear-wheel drive sports cars.
2. The "S" abbreviation is derived from the Japanese model name "Silvia".
3. The numbers in the model name (e.g., S10, S13) represent the generation.

**Generation-Specific Facts**

4. **S10 (1976)**: The first S chassis, equipped with a 1.8L engine (2.0L in the US, badged as 200SX).
5. **S110 (until 1984)**: Featured pop-up headlights and was used for the Group B 240RS and Super Silhouette racers.
6. **S12 (1984-1989)**: Introduced pop-up headlights and was available with a turbocharged engine, even in North America.
7. **S13 (1989)**: Known as the 240SX in the US, with a 2.4L KA24 engine (140hp); elsewhere, it had the SR20DET engine (>200hp).
8. **S14 (1993-1999)**: Wider, lower, and with a longer wheelbase; US models had a mildly updated KA24 engine, while others retained the SR20DET.
9. **S15 (1999-2002)**: Sold only in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand; powered by the last and greatest SR20 offered from the factory.

**Miscellaneous Facts**

10. Nissan reported 75% of 240SX customers in America were women.
11. The S15 is currently illegal to import and drive in the US until 2024.
12. Popular S chassis models are subject to a "drift tax", increasing their market value.
13. Nissan has stated there are no plans for an S16 Silvia due to lack of market demand, but this may have changed with Toyota's Supra revival.