Nissan Considering a New Silvia/SX Coupe.

Nissan’s boss, Ivan Espinosa,  has been mentioning multiple times a new sports car that would be more affordable than the Z. Which does sound like something we’ve seen before, doesn’t it. Since Nissan used to offer the good old SX in the US for many years. He even recently said he would love to see a new version of the classic Silvia/SX coupe. Alsop mentioning: “it won’t be a spicy Sentra”. A new Nissan model that would now compete against the new Honda Prelude, which adopted a more modern, electrified approach.

The Nissan Z price also means there is plenty of room for a cheaper 2-door model like the one Mr. Espinoza has been mentioning. In the US, it would be a rebirth of the old  240SX we had around for decades. That car had a rather simple, rear-wheel-drive layout, and tuning potential. Something that is missing in today’s market.

It also looks like Toyota is ready to launch a new Toyota Celica sooner than later, adding more pressure. If multiple automakers return to affordable coupes at the same time, it could signal a modest revival of a category many thought was gone for good.

The first Nissan 200SX came out in 1979. Replaced by the 240SX in the US in 1988. Although it was still just called “Silvia” in Japan. The 240SX saw another generation and disappeared from our market in 1998, largely due to declining sales and shifting consumer preferences toward more practical vehicles.

Maybe there is still a small market for these affordable coupes? It certainly wouldn’t be a high-volume segment, but even a niche success could help rebuild Nissan’s image. In today’s market, emotional appeal and brand identity can be just as important as just sales numbers, especially for a company trying to reconnect with its enthusiast roots.

The illustration above shows what a new Silvia/240SX could look like. Something much more modern looking. Even a bit weird? Why not…