Nissan Silvia Review Australia | Features, Specification, Price

• Car Reviews,
• Aug 19, 2020

In many parts of the World, including Australia, drifting is a popular activity. And for that, there is no car better than the Nissan Silvia. There have been various variants and generations throughout the years, but we will be discussing the Silvia S15 to be exact. Or better, the Spec-R S15, which is the ultimate variant. Lightweight, robust engine and high performance are some of the features that are associated with the Nissan Silvia. Read on to find out more about this iconic car.

 

The name Silvia has been given to Nissan’s long-running line of sports cars. Spanning several generations now, the car is based on the Nissan S platform. Hence the name. The car has been around to compete with other competitors like the Honda Integra, Isuzu Impulse, and the Toyota Celica.

 

The Nissan Silvia has been produced from 1964 to 2002, in various shapes and models. The car has competed in many motorsport competitions. It has also featured in many movies, pulp fiction, and popular culture. Much and more has been revolving around the car, including a culture of modification and drifting. Let's briefly take a look at the history of the Nissan Silvia.

 

Background:

It all started in 1964 when Nissan unveiled its new line of sports cars. It was known as the Datsun coupe 1600 or the CSP311. It featured a 1.6-liter inline-four, which produced 96 HP of power. It uses a four-speed manual transmission and the most surprising thing was the weight. Only less than 600 pieces were manufactured of this lightweight beast, which means that this is an exceedingly rare car. Some of the later generations are described below:

 

Nissan Silvia S13:

This car was immensely popular and does not need any introduction. It was cheap in price and offered many customization options. It was favored by car enthusiasts and drifters. It was also named as the car of the year in Japan of the year 1988.

 

The S13 was available in three body trims. Namely, a coupe version, hatchback, and a convertible. The hatchback featured the famous pop up headlights that were carried on to later generations. The car was the first to be powered by the S12 engine, with an uprated intercooler for added performance. It came equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission or the optional five-speed manual. Production of the Silvia S13 started in 1988 and ended in 1994 when the S14 was introduced.

 

Nissan Silvia S14:

The S14 is another iconic variant of the series. It has a more aggressive exterior, with a body that is lower and wider. The overall aerodynamics improved due to the new body kit. That also meant that the handling was better. Surprisingly, the initial sales for the Silvia S14 were little less than impressive. It was in the later years that it became popular among car racers and drifters. The Nissan Silvia S14 came equipped with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter turbo engine. And another 2.4-liter base engine.

 

Nissan Silvia S15:

The final version of the Silvia line up is the S15. It was produced in 1999. The base engine boasted a turbo mounted engine which outputs 250 BHP of power. Due to a modern sports car look, sales for the Silvia S15 were better than the S14. It came in a four-speed automatic and a five-speed manual transmission. This time, Nissan also features a six-speed manual transmission as well. The Silvia S15 most popular variants were the Spec-S and the Spec-R. These models came with skirts/valances and a large rear wing.

 

 

Engine Specifications:

The Nissan Silvia S15 Spec-R is powered by a 2.0-liter engine. It also features 86.5mm pistons plus forged Eagle connecting rods. Some additional features for the engine are listed below:

✓ Cosmetic head gasket

✓ Airflow meter

✓ HKS air filter

✓ Expreme header

✓ 3 inches downpipe with gaskets

✓ Nismo engine mounts

✓ Greddy sandwich adapter

✓ Koyo radiator

✓ Walbro fuel pump

 

The drivetrain was a standard six-speed manual gearbox, with a Carbontech clutch and flywheel. The engine is managed by a Greddy boost controller, along with adjustable front/rear strut bars. The brakes are K-Sport 8-piston calipers with a slotted disc. The brake pads are endless and a hydraulic hand brake for extreme drifting.

 

Driving Experience:

Without a doubt, the Nissan Silvia is an alleviation to find that the six-speed manual was simple and exact to work. With 250 BHP to push around 2900 pounds, the Silvia dispatches with decent however not overpowering power. The equipment's short so wait a second before the acceleration kicks in. This vehicle had never sold one next to the other with the 350Z, yet it would not have undermined the more costly car in any proportion of straight-line execution.

 

Where the S15 scores over the Z is in the moderately low, wide hood line and remarkable perceivability. The Silvia, then again, is a wonderful and lively inclination. It is a little vehicle by present-day principles. However, it feels much more comfortable to drive, something like an E36 car. It hustles through the generally tight doors easily and uncovers exact, snappy controlling.

 

Final Verdict and Price:

The production for the Nissan Silvia S15 ended in 2002. And with that, the era of the Nissan Silvia came to an end. It has one of the richest histories and has managed to find a place in history. The price of the car depends on the make and model. The prices are also on the rise, as more and more time passes, and Silvia receives its cult following. Sadly, it is difficult to find a car today in its genuine condition. Since most of the cars that you will find will be modified and customized. Nevertheless, there is much and more in this car that makes it lovable.