Nissan 200SX sports coupe set to return as hybrid

[Autospecs]

One of Nissan's most loved sports cars could soon have a green tinge.

The Nissan 200SX - known globally as the Silvia and discontinued in 2003 - may be revived with an environmentally friendly hybrid engine.
Responding to rising fuel prices and increased environmental awareness Nissan is considering a petrol-electric two-door sports car.
An electric motor would effectively replace the turbo that characterised the sports-oriented 200SX, boosting power and performance while saving fuel.
"People are more sensitive to fuel efficiency [these days]," says Junichi Endo, Nissan's senior vice president of global marketing.
"A front-engine, rear-drive may appeal still ... but it's important it is still fun to drive. Ideally we would try to hit both fuel economy and driving pleasure."
Endo says Nissan is investigating the idea of a hybrid-powered sports car and that the chances are "50-50".
The Nissan executive says it would "all depend on marketability" and whether buyers would accept a hybrid vehicle as a proper sports car to replace a turbocharged vehicle that has at times been Nissan's performance hero.
Ironically the 200SX - complete with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine - was discontinued because it failed to meet emissions regulations that have since come into force.
Endo says sports cars of the 200SX ilk could eventually be pure electric vehicles as car makers invest more heavily in environmentally friendly powertrains.
"In the very short term, probably a hybrid front-engine, rear-wheel drive [sports car] ... would be a good candidate. In the mid term an electric vehicle is a strong candidate we are looking at."
Nissan is not alone working on hybrid-powered sports cars. Some car makers, particularly those based in Japan, are looking at hybrid propulsion for their next generation sports cars.
Honda was one of the first to confirm it would revive the legend of the CRX with the hybrid-powered CR-Z.
Toyota - the world leader in hybrid vehicles - is also working on performance hybrids for its next breed of environmentally friendly cars.
The Toyota and Subaru sports coupes being co-developed by the two Japanese car makers for 2010 will be natural rivals for a new Nissan 200SX.

[pizzaboy]

"People are more sensitive to fuel efficiency [these days]," says Junichi Endo, Nissan's senior vice president of global marketing.

Ironically the 200SX - complete with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine - was discontinued because it failed to meet emissions regulations that have since come into force.

Endo says sports cars of the 200SX ilk could eventually be pure electric vehicles as car makers invest more heavily in environmentally friendly powertrains.

[Jord]

It makes sense. As long as they give the electric motor plenty of power theres no reason it won't be a success! Electric motors can provide a surprising boost to petrol motors and with the emissions laws being as they are its the way forward.

Imagine being able to diff it up whilst getting 45mpg

[pizzaboy]

Yes it's sensible n stuff. But caaaamon maan...wee leccy motors? Tis ! Plus they won't brap brap!

[Mr Bizzle]

bloody renault.

[cookwibble]

Originally Posted by Mr Bizzle

bloody renault.

indeed.


although, look at the latest VOSA report on fuel efficien cars, Nissan has one in the £35 bracket, a 1.5 diesel micra. a 2ltr bmw 1 series does more to the gallon!!! nissan couldnt give a flying bollock about economy, all the incentives on nissans at the minute are on the bigger engined cars. Great for an eco-hater like me, not great that i have to try to sell them to ecofags

[Jord]

Originally Posted by cookwibble

indeed.


although, look at the latest VOSA report on fuel efficien cars, Nissan has one in the £35 bracket, a 1.5 diesel micra. a 2ltr bmw 1 series does more to the gallon!!! nissan couldnt give a flying bollock about economy, all the incentives on nissans at the minute are on the bigger engined cars. Great for an eco-hater like me, not great that i have to try to sell them to ecofags

Its probably not that Nissan don't give a flying bollock but more down to the fact that Renault/Nissan's technology isn't that great when it comes to making low emissions cars.

Also, ever think why your incentives are on selling big engined cars? Its because they aren't selling! Honda have a £750 incentive on selling the 3.5l V6 Legend at the moment too.

[MJG]

I would drift anything, but having a gentle bmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm instead of a raging BWAAARRPP would suck balls. Having a flatter torque curve would do away with a lot of clutch kicking

As long as we get to keep our manual gearboxes, I see too many DSG wanky things.

[cookwibble]

Originally Posted by Jord

Also, ever think why your incentives are on selling big engined cars? Its because they aren't selling! Honda have a £750 incentive on selling the 3.5l V6 Legend at the moment too.

lol, its all we are selling! my rent was paid last month by navaras and pathfinders alone.

nissan range is shocking for ecomentalists at the moment, we have nothing small apart from the micra and the note.

[Jord]

At least your selling then, I've got a noose round my neck here at the moment!

[Captain Muppet]

Originally Posted by pizzaboy

Yes it's sensible n stuff. But caaaamon maan...wee leccy motors? Tis ! Plus they won't brap brap!

Electric motors have peak torque at zero revs, which has got to be a good thing. Hybrids still have petrol engines, which unless it's MOT day can be de-catted and fitted with dustbin exhausts for that brap brap noise.

Open a bottle of coke during gear changes and you can get the "psssssht" noise so you won't miss the turbo either.

[Jord]

Originally Posted by Captain Muppet

Electric motors have peak torque at zero revs, which has got to be a good thing. Hybrids still have petrol engines, which unless it's MOT day can be de-catted and fitted with dustbin exhausts for that brap brap noise.

Open a bottle of coke during gear changes and you can get the "psssssht" noise so you won't miss the turbo either.

Yup, as long as the electric motor/s they fit have sufficient kW, theres no reason why they won't be better than turbo/s. No spool up time, instant torque, no drop off at the top end. I think alot of people here think Hybrids make a whisper as they drive past . It'd still have a 1.8 or bigger petrol motor attached.

[counteract]

Chuck a 2JZ in there, that'll do ya

[cookwibble]

Originally Posted by Jord

At least your selling then, I've got a noose round my neck here at the moment!

surviving on used and commercials, nissan are totally screwing us over, its hard enough at the minute but then to be told that we have to wait till august to get hold of any of our biggest selling cars is just a kick in the balls. im moving to vauxhall in shoreham start of next month, im hoping that the mad deals they are doing are bringing people through the door

[Jord]

I'm jumping ship as soon as I can, motor trade is doomed at the moment, fuel + tax increases + credit crunch + increased cost of living = bad news.

My CV is being fired out every which way it can at the moment.

[BRADs14]

My new Drift car for 2009........ what u think??

[deftone]

you can get those wee electric turbos on ebay, saves waiting for Nissan to design a new engine

[::EVO::]

Originally Posted by Autospecs

One of Nissan's most loved sports cars could soon have a green tinge.

The Nissan 200SX - known globally as the Silvia and discontinued in 2003 - may be revived with an environmentally friendly hybrid engine.
Responding to rising fuel prices and increased environmental awareness Nissan is considering a petrol-electric two-door sports car.
An electric motor would effectively replace the turbo that characterised the sports-oriented 200SX, boosting power and performance while saving fuel.
"People are more sensitive to fuel efficiency [these days]," says Junichi Endo, Nissan's senior vice president of global marketing.
"A front-engine, rear-drive may appeal still ... but it's important it is still fun to drive. Ideally we would try to hit both fuel economy and driving pleasure."
Endo says Nissan is investigating the idea of a hybrid-powered sports car and that the chances are "50-50".
The Nissan executive says it would "all depend on marketability" and whether buyers would accept a hybrid vehicle as a proper sports car to replace a turbocharged vehicle that has at times been Nissan's performance hero.
Ironically the 200SX - complete with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine - was discontinued because it failed to meet emissions regulations that have since come into force.
Endo says sports cars of the 200SX ilk could eventually be pure electric vehicles as car makers invest more heavily in environmentally friendly powertrains.
"In the very short term, probably a hybrid front-engine, rear-wheel drive [sports car] ... would be a good candidate. In the mid term an electric vehicle is a strong candidate we are looking at."
Nissan is not alone working on hybrid-powered sports cars. Some car makers, particularly those based in Japan, are looking at hybrid propulsion for their next generation sports cars.
Honda was one of the first to confirm it would revive the legend of the CRX with the hybrid-powered CR-Z.
Toyota - the world leader in hybrid vehicles - is also working on performance hybrids for its next breed of environmentally friendly cars.
The Toyota and Subaru sports coupes being co-developed by the two Japanese car makers for 2010 will be natural rivals for a new Nissan 200SX.

Long live petrol engines, its going to be a real shame when they go imagine how shitty an electric motor will sound!!! even being cained !!!. Its just weak source.

[Jord]

Originally Posted by ::EVO::

Long live petrol engines, its going to be a real shame when they go imagine how shitty an electric motor will sound!!! even being cained !!!. Its just weak source.

You do realise theres still a petrol motor on hybrid cars right?

The electric motors act like bolt-ons to the petrol motor.

[cookwibble]

Originally Posted by Jord

You do realise theres still a petrol motor on hybrid cars right?

The electric motors act like bolt-ons to the petrol motor.

i heard a lexus ls630 (i think thats what its called) hybrid with a custom exhaust t'other day.....

massive v8 plus afterthought hybrid bits for the avoid congestion charge win!