Nissan 200SX
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Nissan 200SX | |
|---|---|
 All car specifications are for the 1995-1998 North American "B14" model. (see article body) |
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| Manufacturer | Nissan |
| Also called | Datsun 200SX Nissan Lucino (B14 only) |
| Production | 1974–2002 |
| Predecessor | Nissan Sentra coupe Nissan NX(B14 only) |
| Class | sport compact |
| Body style | 2-door coupe 2-door hatchback |
| Engine | 1.6 L 115 hp I4 2.0 L 140 hp I4 |
| Transmission | 4-Speed Automatic Overdrive 5-Speed Manual Overdrive |
| Wheelbase | 99.80 in. |
| Length | 170.10 in. |
| Width | 66.60 in. |
| Height | 54.20 in. |
| Fuel capacity | 13.2 gal. |
| Related | Nissan Silvia Nissan 180SX Nissan 240SX Nissan Sentra (B14 only) |
| Similar | Toyota Celica Mitsubishi Starion Mazda MX-3 (B14 only) |
The Nissan 200SX name refers to several models of automobile sold by Nissan Motors around the world. Beginning in 1974, the "200SX" badging would be utilized as late as 2002.
Contents |
[edit] History
The history of the "200SX" begins in the Nissan Silvia line, which started in 1964 with the CSP311 2-seat coupe, last produced in 1968. When the Silvia was revived in the 1970s as a two-plus-two coupe to compete with the Toyota Celica, it was introduced in some countries as the "200SX". This references to the displacement in the engine: 2.0 liters. Other similar Nissan badging also refers to engine displacement, most notably the Datsun 240Z (2.4L) and its successive car line, all the way to the present incarnation — the Nissan 350Z.
[edit] S10
The 200SX line begins with the S10 chassis in 1974, sold as the Nissan Silvia in Japan, and as the "200SX" in North America and Australia (as well as other countries). This was the first of the S chassis series. The S10 200SX featured a 2.0 L carbureted 4-cyl L20B engine, producing 90 hp. Compared to the Japanese Silvia, the 200SX sold in North America wore large impact-absorbing bumpers in accordance with United States regulation.
[edit] S11
In 1979, an S11 chassis was produced in limited numbers, using a 1000cc Wankel rotary engine. It was carried over into the S110 in 1982, using two conventional piston engine variations. A two-door coupe and a hatchback were offered. Once again it was badged as the "Datsun 200SX" in North America (in keeping with the Datsun brand name), while remaining a Nissan Silvia in Japan. The Japanese market received the FJ20E engine (2.0 L DOHC 4-cyl fuel injected), while the North American market, and others, used the 100 hp Z20E (2.0 L SOHC 4-cyl fuel injected). For the 1982 model year, the Z20E was replaced with the Z22E, displacing 2.2 L and producing 102 hp.
[edit] S12
In late 1983, a new S chassis was built — the S12. The early model (83-84) S12 was available with two different rear suspension setups, depending on the engine equipped. The 2.0 L model came with a solid rear axle that is nearly identical to the setup found the S110, while the 1.8 L Turbo model came equipped with a semi-trailing arm rear independent suspension and full disc brakes. Beginning in 1985, all S12's came with the rear independent suspension. The S12 200SX was face lifted along with the other S-chassis models in 1986 (1987 model year for North America). Along with the face lift came the introduction of the V6 SE model for the United States. The SE featured the same engine, brakes, and other mechanical components found in the Nissan 300ZX Z31. It also had a numerically-lower final drive gear ratio than any other US model (3.90:1 VS. 4.11:1 in others). 1988 would be the last production year of the S12 200SX.
All early S12s carried the Datsun brand name in North America, however by mid-1984, that name had been abandoned, and the Nissan name has been marketed worldwide ever since. Many cars in 1983 were badged "Datsun by NISSAN" to help facilitate the market transition. The S12 was first sold as an 1984 model, so-badged, but by 1985 it was strictly a Nissan.
The S12 200SX was made available with several different engines depending on the region of sale. They include:
- CA20E (1983-1988) - 2.0 L SOHC 4-cyl, fuel injected engine. This engine put out 102 hp and 116 ft•lbf of torque, and featured a new 8-spark plug "NAPS-Z" head design in some countries (primarily for emissions). This was marketed in nearly all markets as the base engine.
- CA18ET (1983-1986 in US, 1983-1988 in Canada, Europe, and Japan)- 1.8 L SOHC 4-cyl, fuel injected, Garrett T2 turbocharged engine. This engine put out 120 hp and 135 hp in some parts of Europe. In most countries this S12 model was sold with a "Turbo" badge, however in Japan it was marketed as the Silvia RS.
- FJ20E – 2.0 L DOHC 4-cyl, fuel injected. This engine was only marketed in Europe. It produced 150 hp.
- VG30E – (1987 and 1988 in US) 3.0 L SOHC V6, fuel injected. This engine put out 160 hp and 174 ft•lbf of torque. This was the same engine found in the first-generation, non-turbo Nissan 300ZX. The following year, the power was increased to 165 hp.
[edit] S13
Starting in 1988, the 200SX was introduced to Europe with the S13 chassis, replacing the Silvia nameplate. European editions received a 1.8L DOHC 4-cyl turbocharged engine, the CA18DET. In North America, the 200SX nameplate was replaced by the 240SX to signify the use of the 2.4 L KA24. The S-platform would leave the Australia and New Zealand markets during this generation. The European 200SX was a fastback, similar in most ways to the Nissan 180SX that debuted in Japan, with the addition of a 150 mph/240 km/h speedometer, and a bespoke rear fascia with a wide number plate recess and a rear fog lamp.
In 1990, the European 200SX received a styling update (facelift) similar to the 180SX and 240SX. However, it retained the 1.8 L CA18DET engine through the end of production in 1994.
[edit] 1995-1998: S14 and B14
Although confusing, from 1995 to 1998 Nissan applied the name "200SX" to two different lines of automobile in different markets these years.
In most markets, including Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, the S14 chassis succeeded the S13 as the new 200SX. This model carried styling and trim shared with the S14 240SX SE sold in North America. The SR20DET engine became standard in all 200SX markets, producing 147 kW, down from 162 kW in the Japanese Nissan Silvia due to the use of a different turbocharger. In 1997, the 200SX was facelifted along with the Silvia and 240SX, adding new headlamps with projector optics. 1998 would be the last year for the 200SX in Europe.
In 1995, Nissan reintroduced the 200SX nameplate in North America to designate a two-door version of the Nissan Sentra (B14 chassis, a front wheel drive car), replacing the Sentra coupe (discontinued in 1994) and Nissan NX (discontinued in 1993). It came with either a 1.6 L 4-cylinder GA16DE engine or the 2.0 L SR20DE in the sporty SE-R model. If not for this one car, there would be no confusion, as every other Nissan with a name ending in "SX" refers to a car based on the Nissan S platform. This front-wheel drive body style was sold in Japan and Mexico as the Nissan Lucino.
[edit] S15
The Nissan Silvia S15, released in 1998, was only sold new in Japan, Australia and New Zealand. The S15 was badged "200SX" in both Australia and New Zealand, although the specifications of the Australian model differed significantly.
Australia received the S15 in late 2000 after a hiatus of nearly 2 years. Sales of the previous S14 had slumped in the face of competition from the WRX, and after being badly burnt by poor sales of the expensive R32 Skyline GT-R in the early nineties, Nissan Australia was not confident that the more expensive upgraded model would be a safe investment. The model that was eventually released had cost-cutting measures which included use of the same 147 kW SR20DET engine from the S14 200SX, and deletion of the rear wiper. It was initially released in both Spec-S and Spec-R trims, but the trim and accessory variations were limited.
Both Australian specs offered the 4-speed automatic with the viscous limited slip differential, or the 6-speed manual with the helical limited slip differential. Neither spec ever carried the HICAS four wheel steering. Both models contained the same body-strengthening bars, with identical brake and wheel packages.
The base Spec-S was without a sunroof (immutable) and did not come standard with the side skirts or small wing, and had a single disk CD player with 4 speakers. However the Spec-S had as options the side skirts, small wing or the upgraded 6-disk 6-speaker CD player that was standard on the Spec-R. The Spec-R had all these options as standard including the sunroof (immutable). There was no difference in engine or suspension tune between the two.
Towards the end of the model's release, Nissan Australia brought out an end-of-model celebration "GT" model, which included the larger Aero wing on both specs, slightly brighter but otherwise identical wheel rims, leather front seats, door trim and dash, leather gearshift knob, fake drilled metal pedals and small GT badges just forward of the doors. The side skirts, sunroof and sound system variants remained as for the non-GT models. As for the modest ground effects mentioned on the Japanese models, I'll have to find out. This is the first I've heard of it. The Australian GTs had no changes in the engine, suspension or braking systems.
In a remarkable result, the 200SX was the first non-European vehicle to win Australia's Motor Magazine Performance Car of The Year (PCOTY) in 2001 against a field which included a freshly released Porsche 911. Although a controversial result in many respects, the magazine still holds the car in great respect, and justified all the numbers that went into the final judgement.
Unlike Australia, New Zealand received an un-watered-down version of the S15, identical to the Japanese model (bar the 200SX badging). More details can be found at Nissan Silvia. In 2002, Nissan New Zealand released a limited-edition run-out model called the Spec R II, which was essentially the same as the Spec R but had larger, 17" ROH alloy wheels, an upgraded Pioneer CD player, Uniroyal tires and "Spec R II" badging. The Spec R II was also the only model available in New Zealand in black (apart from Japanese imports).
