It seems like everyone is jumping on the RWD bandwagon. Hyundai just unveiled its RWD Genesis coupe and now there are rumors that Nissan is working on rear-wheel-drive replacement for the 240SX a.k.a Silvia in Japan.
Rumors have been circulating about the RWD coupe since last year and now Rocket Punch Auto Blog is claiming that a new 240SX/ Silvia has been given the green light and will be released by 2010 with pricing starting around $18K ($18,435 and 23,044).
The resurrected car is rumored to be based on a heavily modified version of the 350Z's platform.
The coupe market is going to get really interesting in the next few years with the return of the Challenger, Camaro, Toyota AE86 coupe and countless other vehicles.
Click the link below to see more of the photo renderings.
Full Story: Rocket Punch Auto Blog
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Comments (22)
MY PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED!
I knew there was hope...All I have to do now is wait.
Low curb weight please!
Posted by Dan | November 26, 2007 3:12 PM
Posted on November 26, 2007 15:12
Curb weight low, and car won't sell slow.
Posted by Allen | November 26, 2007 3:33 PM
Posted on November 26, 2007 15:33
"The resurrected car is rumored to be based on a heavily modified version of the 350Z's platform."
That's bad news. The Silvia is a small car, the 350Z, well, it ain't nearly as small.
I hope by "heavily modified" they mean "severely shortened."
Posted by Polynikes | November 26, 2007 3:45 PM
Posted on November 26, 2007 15:45
Nissan is much better than all the domestic companies about keeping the bloat out. My 05' 3.5 Altima is 3220 which is descent for a 4 dr. sedan. Average today is 3450-3500. Hopefully they can stay to 3100 or less with this new platform since it is based off the Z which is in that weight class (or was until it porked up a bit in 07'.)
Posted by Carnut57 | November 26, 2007 4:10 PM
Posted on November 26, 2007 16:10
This is the best decision Nissan has made in a LOOONG time (next to the new GTR) IF this is true. I also didn't know the AE86 was coming back. That should be pretty cool.
In a couple years it will be great to buy a new car...there will actually be OPTIONS for reasonably priced fun sports cars!
Posted by MW | November 26, 2007 4:13 PM
Posted on November 26, 2007 16:13
seeing as it is a modified 350z platform, I see a lot of G35, even down to the wheels (lol?). I wouldn't expect this to be (new) Toyota AE86 weight, but I'm definitely hoping for <3000lb weight. I just wish that this will come before 2010; I'd like to see this go against the AE86
Posted by Eddie | November 26, 2007 4:25 PM
Posted on November 26, 2007 16:25
Finally!!! Nissan needs a serious replacement for the often lamented 240SX. It looks like the sport coupe market is getting better.
Posted by longdxcommuter | November 26, 2007 4:33 PM
Posted on November 26, 2007 16:33
@Pollynikes:
If they base it on the upcoming 350Z platform it may be low weight, as Nissan is supposed to be shedding a few hundred pounds from the next Z.
If not, I fear you are correct, and this new RWD car will be a portly little thing.
I just hope with the resurgence of RWD, that all the Fast and Furious teenagers don't end up wrapping themselves around a tree when they spin out in a corner. Most kids now a days have no idea how to drive a RWD car.
Posted by Gary | November 26, 2007 4:43 PM
Posted on November 26, 2007 16:43
I like the 240sx, but i think bringing back the 240 would eat into nissan's altima and 350z sales. The altima is around 20-30k and the Z is 26-34k. Where would the put the 240?
Posted by stephen | November 26, 2007 6:35 PM
Posted on November 26, 2007 18:35
I don't really consider 3,100lbs light. Sub 3,000lbs would be great. I don't see how they couldn't make it a lightweight considering all the composite materials available (even cheap plastic body panels, a la Vette). If you want to feel what light weight and some decent power is like, take an S2000 or Turbo Miata for a test drive.
"Most kids now a days have no idea how to drive a RWD car."
You'd be suprised at how easy it is to learn the handling characteristics of a newer, indepedent rear suspended car is. They're much more forgiving than the live-axel domestic crap from back in the day, not to mention it will most likely have traction and an LSD.
Posted by Noya | November 26, 2007 6:40 PM
Posted on November 26, 2007 18:40
About freaking time the sporty coupe market get a shot of adrenaline again.
Posted by GT Fan | November 27, 2007 1:02 AM
Posted on November 27, 2007 01:02
@Carnut
I'm not sure where you're getting your "Average today is 3450-3500".
The Sonata, Accord, Fusion, and Passat all come in under 3300lbs. Some as low as 3050 with all options.
The only cars pushing 3500 are the Maxima, Camry, 300M, etc... Those cars that are heavier aren't in the same class either.
Posted by Gary | November 27, 2007 3:03 PM
Posted on November 27, 2007 15:03
Looks like 2010 will start the decade of the Sports Coupes, from mild to wild (to hybrid?). It makes me giddy just thinking about it :P
Posted by Kell | November 27, 2007 3:06 PM
Posted on November 27, 2007 15:06
HOLY FUCK YES!!!!
If it is anything like the 89-94 240, I want one. Weight/price are probably going to be the deal breakers on this one. Its getting really hard to find a light weight car these days with all the safety bullshit they add in.
Posted by gm0n3y | November 28, 2007 2:08 PM
Posted on November 28, 2007 14:08
Reading the original article, it states the price from 2 - 2.5 million yen. That's about $18-22k. If it is low weight and has a turbo-4, things are looking very good.
Posted by gm0n3y | November 28, 2007 2:19 PM
Posted on November 28, 2007 14:19
Yeah it'll have low weight and a truck engine... HAHAHAHA..... I mean come on almost ALL cars with a turbo 4 are pushing 20k+. So for 18k I'd say it's a non turbo higher strung 4 banger. Of course it could just be the Sentra formula, just take the next largest engine you have and cram into it, 2.5 FTW!
I never really saw the appeal of the crappy 240SX we got over here in the states. Sure the later generation Silvias were nice, but the only thing the 240SX had going for it was RWD.
Posted by Brian | November 28, 2007 10:08 PM
Posted on November 28, 2007 22:08
Come on Brian, yes the 2.4 was a truck engine, but it was also still better than most of the competition. Many, many serious 240sx owners swapped in the SR20DE(T) motor if they wanted more power. The 240 was all about mods. Who really cares what the stock motor is, as long as it can take some mods or is easily swappable for something better. Besides RWD, it also had 4 wheel steering, LSD, and looks to beat any car in its class. IMO, the early 90s 240 looked way better than the late 90s one.
Posted by gm0n3y | November 29, 2007 5:41 PM
Posted on November 29, 2007 17:41
humm.. they need to touch-up the facia, then chassi (type), and finally the motor. Hey, I wouldn't even mind the SR20VET (from the x-trail). Combo that with a weight to power ratio of 10:1, (3000 Lbs/ 300 hp) good enough (maybe) !. Or the "VQ30DET neo di" aaaAAAHHHhhaaammeen~.
Posted by VQnatic | November 29, 2007 11:13 PM
Posted on November 29, 2007 23:13
Silvias, AE86s, and all other RWD concepts being planned by car companies, any speculation the whole drift phenomenon has influence on it ? o_O
Posted by ladiesman217 | August 13, 2008 8:09 PM
Posted on August 13, 2008 20:09
wow...dont bring back the 240 if it looks like this
the car should look similar to the 2001 silva's
Posted by crirish06 | November 8, 2008 5:35 PM
Posted on November 8, 2008 17:35
The new 2010 200sx, 240sx, silvia should be styled on the historic shape and style, i.e rwd, 2 door, small back seat, sleek looks and an improved quicker 2.0 or 2.4 litre turbo engine plant. After all thats what customers like me are attracted too and thats what keeps us coming back. And no I'm not a Z fan, nice car but I favour the SX.
Thanks and have a great day.
Rick.
Posted by rickymartin | December 31, 2008 9:16 PM
Posted on December 31, 2008 21:16
Nissan is the only Jap automaker that makes sports cars right now.....lets continue..!
Posted by stanczyk | August 21, 2010 8:57 AM
Posted on August 21, 2010 08:57