200SX/Silvia Specifications

These are specifications for the Nissan 200SX (S15 Silvia) as sold in New Zealand. This model is identical to the model sold in Japan, and unlike the significantly adapted model sold in Australia. Specifications taken from sales brochure and various magazine sources.

Most English-language articles that you'll find pertain to the Australian version of the car, which contains a less powerful 200hp (147kW) engine, different exhaust, no back windshield wiper, manual air conditioning (instead of climate A/C in Japanese/NZ-spec Spec-R models), an embossed "Nissan" logo on the steering wheel cover rather than the attractive hard plastic "S" emblem, and slightly different rear decklid badging - the Nissan logo is elevated, and "200SX" appears underneath on the trunk lid itself in the same position as the Japanese "Silvia" logo, not on the bumper as in NZ models.

This car regularly pulls 0-100kph (62mph) times of around 6.9 seconds, which is not the fastest thing in the world. The NZ model has been measured at 6.2-6.5 seconds 0-62mph by NZ AutoCar. Unconfirmed figures say 5.5-5.8 seconds. It certainly seems that North American testers find all manner of cars faster than their South Pacific counterparts - NZ/Australian magazines have shown Subaru Impreza WRXs running 0-62 in high sixes, low sevens, some US magazines have clocked what seems to be a similar car at 5.4 seconds. In this respect, best comparisons are made between tests done by the same people, so all signs point to the S15 Silvia in NZ/Spec-R trim being faster than competitors such as Celica GT-S, Integra/RSX Type-R, and Subaru Impreza WRX, but slower than more expensive models such as Subaru Impreza WRX STi and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII. I do not have quarter mile figures to hand at time of writing but I think they are high 14s stock.

Japanese lineup
I'll post some more about the car as sold in Japan sometime soon, but for now I'll just say that two models are sold - Spec-S and Spec-R. The Spec-S is a poser car, with blue Spec-S badging, tiny 15" wheels, 5-speed manual, and a 165hp SR20DE normally aspirated engine. There are various other differences such as manual air conditioning, and the boost gauge is replaced by an oil pressure gauge on the A pillar. The Spec-R model is the 250hp SR20DET model with all the features above listed as absent, 16" wheels and various other niceties. "Aero" versions of both are offered that add side sills, front and rear skirts and a large and obnoxious looking wing with an inverted triangular high-mount stop light. Various other special edition models were offered in Japan including V-package, Class-B, Style-A (my personal favorite), and the Autech-produced Varietta folding hard top convertible (based on the Spec-S). The Australian market got two models, Spec-S and Spec-R, both powered by the same 200hp engine, the Spec-R being an equipment upgrade (rear wing, sunroof, etc) but otherwise no different to the Spec-S. To use up the last of the S15 shells as the model was put out to pasture in 2002, Nissan New Zealand released a "Spec-R II" model with a better CD head unit (also from Pioneer), bigger 17" ROH alloy wheels in gunmetal, and Uniroyal tires. As a similar run-out excercise, Nissan Australia created a "GT" model by stealing some Skyline "GT" badges, adding leather seats, and some chrome treatment for interior bits and wheels.

The colour combinations available in NZ were originally Cobalt (Blue), Signal Red, White (I forget the name), Pewter (gunmetal, like "Diamond Graphite" on new Infinitis), Sunstruck (Bright yellow). Australia got all of those colours except white and yellow, although yellow was added at the start of 2001. Australia also got black. About 4 black S15s were imported to New Zealand, one in 1999 (at time of writing for sale used at Newmarket Nissan for $32,995 (!!) as a special order), and a few more in 2002 as part of the Spec-R II runout, when the colour was apparently officially offered. Black in New Zealand is very rare. Also offered in Japan is an ugly (IMO!) pale aquamarine metallic colour. I'll try and find the name.

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