Nissan Considering Revival of Silvia Sports Car

Introduction

Nissan is contemplating the development of a new sports car to complement its existing lineup, including the Z and the next-generation GT-R. The Vice President of Global Product Strategy at Nissan, Ivan Espinosa, has expressed his desire to revive the iconic Silvia name for this new model. While the project is still in its early stages and has not been officially confirmed, Espinosa is pushing for its production.

Electrification and Global Scale

Espinosa revealed that the new sports car will be designed with electrification in mind. Nissan is conducting preliminary exercises to determine the architecture of the vehicle. The goal is to create a globally scalable platform that can accommodate electrification. Espinosa emphasized the need to be one of the first to introduce an electrified sports car. However, he acknowledged that significant investment is required for this project, which poses a challenge.

Potential Launch and Development

No specific timeline has been provided for the launch of the new Silvia model. Espinosa expressed his desire to see it on the market before the end of the decade. He also stated his preference for in-house development rather than partnering with another manufacturer, similar to Toyota and BMW’s collaboration on the Supra and Z4. However, the final decision on the next-generation Silvia rests with Nissan’s management.

Market Challenges and Rivals

Espinosa acknowledged the challenges of the sports car market, which is shrinking. Despite this, he remains committed to pursuing the development of the Silvia. If realized, the new Nissan sports car could compete with models like the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ. Other Japanese automakers, such as Honda and Mazda, are also working on affordable sports car offerings.

Conclusion

While the revival of the Silvia is not officially confirmed, Nissan’s product strategy VP is actively advocating for its development. The potential electrified sports car aims to capture the global market and contribute to Nissan’s sports car lineup alongside the GT-R and Z models. The final decision and timeline for the Silvia’s revival are yet to be determined.

Note: This story contains illustrations that are not endorsed by or affiliated with Nissan.