Nissan Silvia: Difference between revisions
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===S110=== |
===S110=== |
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- This iteration of the Silvia was uniquely progressive in that it was originally intended to feature a [[Wankel engine|rotary engine]], designed and built by Nissan. The resulting unit was fairly unreliable, and forestalled production. Ironically, it shared a chassis code with the also ill-fated [[Mazda Cosmo]], first Japanese production car to feature a rotary engine. The car was redesigned shortly after it was released and the Wankel powerplant was replaced by a line of conventional piston engines based on the new [[Nissan Z engine|Z-series engine]]. These included the Z20 and the [[turbocharger|turbocharged]] and [[fuel injection|fuel injected]] Z18ET. |
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- This generation saw the introduction of the Silvia 240RS, a coupe fitted with the 2.4 litre DOHC [[Nissan FJ engine|FJ24]] engine. The 240RS was built between 1983 and 1985, its production extending the end of the S110 itself. The resulting monster became Nissan's official rally car in 1983-1985 World Rally Championship, and finished 2nd in the 1983 New Zealand Rally. |
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===S12=== |
===S12=== |
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Revision as of 03:12, 30 March 2007
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The Nissan Silvia is the name given to the company's long-running line of sport coupes based on their S-Chassis. Although recent models haved shared this chassis with other vehicles produced by Nissan (most notably the European 200sx and North American 240sx in the s13 and s14 generations, and 180sx in the Japanese market), the name Silvia is not interchangeable with the chassis codes.
The Original Silvia
The Nissan Silvia CSP311 made it's public debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in September of 1964. The introductory model was a hand-built coupe based on the Fairlady convertible, styled with input from Count Albrecht Goertz. Production ceased in 1968 after a mere 554 were made, every one unique with hand-formed body panels. Most of the cars remained in Japan, however 49 examples were exported to Australia and another 10 went to other countries. The low production numbers and tedious method of construction assured each car was unique and valuable; this is reflected by the car's sticker price of almost twice as much as the next model in the manufacturer's lineup at the time. After production ceased in 1968, the name Silvia would not grace another Nissan until 1974.
S Chassis
S10
The S10 was the first Silvia built on the S platform. It featured more "traditional" lines than similar offerings from rivals Toyota and Mazda and was summarily less popular with consumers in most markets. In Japan it was fitted with an L18B engine, which it shared with the Datsun 610/Bluebird 180B. In the North American market a version incorporating the larger-displacement L20B was offered as the 200B of the same series Bluebird. The resulting export model was affixed with the mandated 5 mph bumpers and badged as the Datsun 200sx. Its success in both markets was limited, most buyers opting for the Celica over what consumers considered the more mundane-looking S-Chassis.
S110
- - This iteration of the Silvia was uniquely progressive in that it was originally intended to feature a rotary engine, designed and built by Nissan. The resulting unit was fairly unreliable, and forestalled production. Ironically, it shared a chassis code with the also ill-fated Mazda Cosmo, first Japanese production car to feature a rotary engine. The car was redesigned shortly after it was released and the Wankel powerplant was replaced by a line of conventional piston engines based on the new Z-series engine. These included the Z20 and the turbocharged and fuel injected Z18ET. - - This generation saw the introduction of the Silvia 240RS, a coupe fitted with the 2.4 litre DOHC FJ24 engine. The 240RS was built between 1983 and 1985, its production extending the end of the S110 itself. The resulting monster became Nissan's official rally car in 1983-1985 World Rally Championship, and finished 2nd in the 1983 New Zealand Rally.
S12
The Silvia built on the S12 platform was produced from late 1983 to the first half of 1988. This new series saw the introduction of a new engine range in the CA-series engine, as well as modern design cues including pop-up headlamps. The coupe and hatchback body styles were retained from the previous generation. 1984-1988 hatchbacks were available with several engine options including the FJ20E, FJ20ET, CA20E, CA18ET. The coupe was available with the CA20E or the FJ20ET as part of the RS-X package until 1988, and CA18ET thereafter.
S13
The S13 Silvia, introduced in mid-1988 for the 1989 model year, was immensely popular in Japan. The Silvia name was no longer used on export models, however; European models were now known as 200SX. Following industry trends, the S13 Silvia switched to relampable fixed headlights. Projector optics were offered as an option.
The Silvia fastback was discontinued and replaced by a new model sharing the s13 chassis, the Nissan 180SX. A convertible was briefly offered soon after the start of production, but it was never popular, perhaps due to high cost (3.25 million Yen in 1988), heavier curb weight, and chassis flex.
The S13 was one of the first uses of Nissan's multi-link rear suspension, the technology of which was previewed in concept cars in previous years, such as the Nissan MID-4. It also offered a four-wheel steering system for the first time, known as HICAS-II. In 1990, HICAS-II would be updated and renamed SuperHICAS. The S13 also saw the introduction of a viscous-type limited slip differential for some models.
S13 Silvias were initially powered by the CA18DE and CA18DET engines carried over from the end of S12 production, with an intercooler added to the CA18DET for a slight increase in stability and power. In 1990, (for the 1991 model year) the SR20DE and SR20DET engines debuted, offering improvements across the board in power and torque due to increased displacement and a more efficient turbocharger than was offered on the previous cars.
The S13 Silvia was replaced after the 1993 model year by the new S14 design. In 1998, the S13 Silvia was resurrected, in part. A variant was produced by Kid's Heart for Nissan called the Sileighty, which featured the 180SX body with the front end from the Silvia. The Sileighty style was originally created by Japanese enthusiasts for their own 180SX's, and is still a common modification for the 180SX and 240SX fastback.
Trim Level Desingation
The S13 Silvia was the first S-series car to use the J's , Q's, and K's (references to the suits and face cards of English playing cards) designations for the different trim levels or "grades."
The J's was the base model with a very basic interior, few standard amenities, and 14" steel wheels. The Q's model offered a slightly more refined experience and received electric options and an available LSD. The K's grade received the turbocharged SR20DE-T in addition to the options offered on the Q's.
On top of the K's and Q's models, The Club and Dia(mond) Selection packages came with specific options bundled together. For example, all K's Club Selections came with projector headlights, a rear spoiler, and 15" aluminum wheels.
The rare and often misunderstood Silvia A's "Almighty" (オールマイティ) was introduced in late 1992. Confusingly, the A's grade doesn't fit into the established name scheme; it is stripped of all options, purportedly offered as a "purer" form of the sports car. The only available engine was the naturally-aspirated SR20DE coupled with a 4-speed automatic transmission.
S14
The S14 Silvia debuted in Japan at the end of 1993. It was lower, wider, and slightly shorter than the S13. New rounded styling contributed to the illusion of a much greater increase in size than actually occurred. Wheelbase and track were both increased, leading to slightly improved handling. Unlike export markets, where sales of the S14 chassis variants faltered, the Silvia remained popular in Japan.
Trim level designations were similar to the S13, however the Club Selection package was dropped. "Aero" variants of the Q's and K's were offered that featured large rear wings and mild ground effects.
The S14 Silvia K's received a new "notchtop" version of the SR20DET, boasting a slight bump in power due to the implementation of Nissan's variable cam timing system, VTC, and a more efficient ball bearing turbocharger.
There was a mild styling update to the S14 for model year 1997, which added aggressive-looking projector headlamps and tinted taillights to all models. Fascias and other exterior trim pieces were also revised. This updated version is popularly known as the kouki (後期, literally "latter period") S14, or it is sometimes called the S14a. The final model year of S14 production in all markets was 1998.
S15
Japan saw a new version of the Silvia (S15) in 1999, now boasting 250 hp (184 kW) from its SR20DET, engine thanks to a slight turbocharger upgrade, as well as improved engine management. The SR20DE (non-turbo motor) featured only 165 hp (121 kW).
The S15 Silvia included aggressive styling inside and out; upgrades to the chassis and suspension, including increased use of light alloy suspension components; and for the first time, a six-speed manual transmission (in addition to a 5-speed manual transmission and a four-speed automatic). Also for the first time, instead of a viscous limited slip differential, the S15 offered a more effective helical limited slip unit.
For the S15 Silvia, the model lineup was initially simplified to just the Spec-S (non-turbo) and Spec-R (turbo), both models offering an "Aero" variant with a large rear wing and mild ground effects. The Spec-R featured the available 6-speed manual transmission, increased body and suspension rigidity, 4-piston front brake calipers, a larger brake power booster, the upgraded helical limited slip differential, and HICAS (High Capacity Active Steering) four wheel steering as an option; the Spec-S featured only a 5-speed manual transmission (in addition to a 4-speed automatic available on both the Spec-S and the Spec-R), lacks the additional support structures of the Spec-R, 2-piston front brake calipers, a slightly smaller brake power booster, and the viscous limited slip differential.
The line was later expanded to include various luxury and upgrade option packages for both the Spec-S and Spec-R. Autech, Nissan's special-car division, also offered several tuned versions of the S15; one with body and interior trim modeled after the Ferrari 456, called the style-A, available in both Spec-S and Spec-R based trims; and a second tuned version was based of the Spec-S trim level with the engine output increased to 200 hp through the use of increased compression, more aggressive camshafts, and free-breathing intake and exhaust tracts, along with ECU tuning and upgrades to the chassis and suspension. This version also included the 6-speed transmission and other upgrades normally found only in the Spec-R.
There was also a convertible variant of the Silvia, called the Varietta, featuring a folding retractable hardtop. The Varietta was built by Autech and was based off of the Spec-S model, featuring the same naturally aspirated engine, with a choice of the 4-speed automatic transmission or the 5-speed manual transmission.
Production of the Silvia ended in August of 2002 amidst Nissan's efforts to reduce its myriad of platforms. Nissan's sole sports car platform in the world is now the FM Platform, which underpins the current Fairlady Z and Skyline, and America's 350Z and Infiniti G35.
Motorsports
The S-series' claim to fame is that it is one of the world's most popular drift cars, especially the S13 through S15 vehicles. It also has a long history in road racing. Its sister, the 240SX S13, was a multiple-time champion in the IMSA GTU series which its Silvia counterpart had a one make series in Japan. Silvias have been raced successfully in the JGTC and its predecessors. S110 and S12 Silvias also enjoyed limited success in rallying before AWD cars (including Nissan's own Pulsar GTi-R) proceeded to dominate the sport. During the S13's production, there was a one-make series in Japan.
Future development
As of 2002, Nissan stopped producing the S platform with the S15-series Nissan Silvia being the final variant. No production plans are in place to bring this vehicle back. It was rumored on the internet that Nissan released the concept for the S16 but it turns out that the concept car was actually the Nissan AZEAL concept which utilized a FF layout.
Popular culture
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- In Japanese anime and manga, Initial D has S13, S14, S15, Sil-eighty and 180sx.
External links
- Nissan Silvia CSP311 Archive of the first Silvia/Datsun 1600 Coupe
- Template:Ja icon Archive of Nissan's official site for the S15 Silvia
