The New Nissan Silvia: Expectations After Two Decades

The Nissan Silvia has a reputable status in the world of Japanese sports cars, with only a few cars comparable to it. For generations, it has brought immense joy to enthusiasts at a low cost, winning fans not only in Japan but across Europe and North America. Nissan ceased production of the Silvia in the early 2000s, leaving the 350Z to carry on the brand's legacy until the return of the GT-R.

Now, after a decade of rumors, Nissan is working on producing a new Silvia. This news comes from Ivan Espinoza, the VP of Global Product Strategy at Nissan, who revealed that the company is in the early stages of development. As the market for low-cost small sports cars approaches extinction, the possibility of a new Silvia is promising.

While official details remain unknown given the early development phase, Nissan has provided enough hints over the years to give us some insights into the car. The vehicle known as Silvia in Japan may carry the name SX in America and will come with a range of hybrid powertrains.

Currently, as the car is still in the early stages of development, Nissan likely does not even know what it will look like. However, it is believed that it will be based on the Nissan concept model IDx Nismo. Concepts suggest the removal of the V-shaped grille at the front, with a conventional rear exhaust system replacing the side exhaust setup, alongside changes to the roof. Silvia may rely on eco-friendly energy like hybrid systems instead of going fully electric.

The new Nissan Silvia is likely to have a power output of less than 300 horsepower. If Nissan decides to shift towards a fully electric vehicle, it likely means providing it with a single electric motor. However, there is a chance that Nissan could compete with the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ with a small combustion engine supplemented by some form of hybrid assistance. This would also put it in competition with the upcoming Honda Prelude hybrid.

In an interview with Espinoza, leaks about the Silvia and what will happen to it by the end of the decade were mentioned. As 2025 approaches, we wouldn't be surprised to see some camouflaged prototypes in 2026, leading to a debut in 2028 or perhaps 2029. The electric sports car is expected to have an average price of around $30,000.