Nissan Silvia

Which Nissan Silvia Version Should You Buy?

The Nissan Silvia catalogue contains seven generations of RWD Coupe models, with records spanning 1965–1968 and 1975–2002. Choosing among them comes down to the desired engine output, transmission, boost, weight, and chassis specification.

The Nissan Silvia catalogue contains seven generations of RWD Coupe models, with records spanning 1965–1968 and 1975–2002. Choosing among them comes down to the desired engine output, transmission, boost, weight, and chassis specification. The seventh-generation 2.0 MT with 250 hp offers the strongest power-to-weight result in the available data, while the sixth-generation 2.0 AT with 200 hp has the lowest recorded kerb weight. Earlier generations provide lower-output carbureted engines and simpler brake or rear-suspension configurations. Prices, reliability, problems, and availability are not measured, so this comparison cannot determine which Silvia is cheapest to buy or maintain.

Nissan Silvia generations compared

The first generation, produced from 1965 to 1968, is a Coupe represented by one version. Its 1.6 MT uses a 1,595 cc Gasoline Inline engine with 4 cylinders, 2 valves per cylinder, a carburetor, 96 hp, and 140 Nm. It combines a 4-speed Manual gearbox with RWD. The suspension is independent and spring at the front and dependent leaf spring at the rear; both front and rear brakes are drum.

The second generation, produced from 1975 to 1979, is a Coupe with four versions: 1.8 MT, 1.8 AT, 2.0 MT, and 2.0 AT. Outputs are 105 hp for the 1,770 cc versions and 110 hp for the 1,952 cc versions, a difference of 5 hp. Every engine is Gasoline, Inline, naturally aspirated, carbureted, and has 4 cylinders with 2 valves per cylinder. Manual versions have 5 speeds, Automatic versions have 3, and every version has RWD. Compared with the first generation, the front brakes change from drum to disc, while the rear brakes remain drum.

The third generation, produced from 1979 to 1983, is a Coupe with two versions: 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT. Both use a naturally aspirated 1,800 cc Gasoline Inline 4-cylinder engine producing 92 hp. The 1.8 MT has a 5-speed Manual gearbox, while the 1.8 AT has a 3-speed Automatic. Both are RWD, with independent spring front suspension, dependent spring rear suspension, and disc brakes at both ends. Ground clearance is 165 mm.

The fourth generation, produced from 1983 to 1988, is a Coupe with two versions: 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT. Both have a naturally aspirated 1,998 cc Gasoline Inline 4-cylinder engine producing 146 hp and 198 Nm, or approximately 73.1 hp per litre. The 2.0 MT uses a 5-speed Manual and the 2.0 AT a 4-speed Automatic; both have RWD. Ground clearance falls by 15 mm from the third generation, to 150 mm.

The fifth generation, produced from 1988 to 1993, is a Coupe with eight versions. It introduces the broadest engine choice in the catalogue: 1,809 cc and 1,998 cc engines, naturally aspirated or Turbo, with Manual or Automatic gearboxes. Output ranges from 135 hp to 205 hp, while torque ranges from 159 Nm to 275 Nm. The available kerb weights range from 1,110 kg to 1,170 kg, and ground clearance is 135 mm.

The sixth generation, produced from 1993 to 1998, is a Coupe with six versions. All use 1,998 cc Gasoline Inline 4-cylinder engines and RWD. Naturally aspirated versions produce 160 hp and 188 Nm; Turbo versions produce either 200 hp and 265 Nm or 220 hp and 274 Nm. Gearboxes are 5-speed Manual or 4-speed Automatic. The recorded versions run from 1,140 kg to 1,280 kg, and ground clearance is 130 mm.

The seventh generation, produced from 1999 to 2002, is a Coupe with six versions. All use 1,998 cc Gasoline Inline 4-cylinder engines and RWD. The naturally aspirated versions produce 165 hp and 192 Nm, while Turbo outputs are 225 hp, 245 hp, or 250 hp. Transmission choices are 4-speed Automatic, 5-speed Manual, and 6-speed Manual. Ground clearance remains 130 mm, and the tank capacity is 65 litres.

Nissan Silvia engine specs and version comparison

Repeated version names are distinguished below by power, because the database contains several different 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT specifications.

For maximum output, the seventh-generation 2.0 MT with 250 hp is the clear choice. Its specific output is approximately 125.1 hp per litre, compared with approximately 102.6 hp per litre for the fifth-generation 2.0 MT with 205 hp and approximately 110.1 hp per litre for the sixth-generation 2.0 MT with 220 hp.

For a naturally aspirated engine, the seventh-generation 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT specifications provide 165 hp, which is 5 hp more than the sixth-generation naturally aspirated versions and 19 hp more than the fourth-generation versions. Within the seventh generation, choosing the 250 hp Turbo 2.0 MT instead of the 165 hp naturally aspirated 2.0 MT adds 85 hp and 83 Nm.

Nissan Silvia performance and mpg

Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is not measured for any listed version. Fuel consumption, gas mileage, and mpg are also not measured for any version, so no generation can be identified as the most economical from this data. CO₂ output and environmental class are not measured throughout the catalogue.

Top speed is not measured for every version except the seventh-generation 2.0 MT with 245 hp, for which the recorded maximum is 235 km/h. A comparison of maximum speed among versions is therefore not possible.

The available figures still allow useful power-to-weight comparisons. The seventh-generation 2.0 MT with 250 hp weighs 1,240 kg, giving approximately 5.0 kg per hp. The seventh-generation 2.0 MT with 245 hp weighs 1,260 kg, giving approximately 5.1 kg per hp. The sixth-generation 2.0 MT with 220 hp weighs 1,270 kg, giving approximately 5.8 kg per hp. The fifth-generation 2.0 MT with 205 hp weighs 1,170 kg, giving approximately 5.7 kg per hp.

The sixth-generation 2.0 AT with 200 hp has an especially strong calculated ratio among recorded Automatic versions: 1,140 kg divided by 200 hp equals 5.7 kg per hp. The seventh-generation 2.0 AT with 225 hp weighs 1,270 kg, also producing approximately 5.6 kg per hp. Kerb weight is not measured for the seventh-generation 2.0 AT with 245 hp, so its ratio cannot be calculated.

Nissan Silvia dimensions, weight, and capacity

Exterior dimensions, wheel sizes, and weight distribution are not measured for any generation. Wheel specifications must therefore be checked elsewhere rather than inferred from generation or engine output.

Recorded ground clearance declines across the later catalogue: the third generation has 165 mm, the fourth has 150 mm, the fifth has 135 mm, and the sixth and seventh have 130 mm. The first- and second-generation ground-clearance figures are not measured. The largest recorded difference is 35 mm between the third generation and the sixth or seventh generation.

The fifth-generation kerb-weight figures range from 1,110 kg for the 1.8 MT with 135 hp to 1,170 kg for the 2.0 MT with 205 hp. The sixth-generation records range from 1,140 kg for the 2.0 AT with 200 hp to 1,280 kg for the 2.0 AT with 220 hp. In the seventh generation, measured kerb weights range from 1,200 kg for the 2.0 MT with 165 hp to 1,270 kg for the 2.0 AT with 225 hp.

Gross weight is not measured for most versions. Available seventh-generation figures are 1,650 kg for the 2.0 AT with 165 hp and 1,780 kg for the 2.0 AT with 245 hp and the 2.0 MT with 245 hp.

Tank capacity is not measured for the first four generations. Every fifth-generation version has a 60-litre tank, while every sixth- and seventh-generation version has a 65-litre tank, an increase of 5 litres.

Which Nissan Silvia version should you choose?

Choose the seventh-generation 2.0 MT with 250 hp when maximum output and the strongest calculable power-to-weight result matter most. It combines 250 hp, 275 Nm, a 1,998 cc Turbo engine, a 6-speed Manual gearbox, RWD, and a 1,240 kg kerb weight.

Choose the seventh-generation 2.0 MT with 245 hp when a measured top speed is essential. It is the only listed version with that figure: 235 km/h. It also provides 274 Nm, a 6-speed Manual, RWD, and a 1,260 kg kerb weight. Compared with the 250 hp version, it gives up 5 hp and 1 Nm and weighs 20 kg more.

Choose the sixth-generation 2.0 AT with 200 hp when an Automatic gearbox and low recorded kerb weight are the priorities. Its 1,140 kg kerb weight is 130 kg below the seventh-generation 2.0 AT with 225 hp, while the newer version adds 25 hp and 10 Nm.

Choose the fifth-generation 2.0 MT with 205 hp when looking for the lightest Turbo Manual specification with a recorded weight among the 2.0-litre choices. It weighs 1,170 kg and produces 275 Nm. The sixth-generation 2.0 MT with 220 hp adds 15 hp but weighs 100 kg more; the seventh-generation 2.0 MT with 250 hp adds 45 hp and weighs 70 kg more.

For naturally aspirated power, choose the seventh-generation 2.0 MT with 165 hp if a Manual is preferred, or the seventh-generation 2.0 AT with 165 hp if an Automatic is required. Both produce 192 Nm. The Manual has 5 speeds and a measured kerb weight of 1,200 kg; the Automatic has 4 speeds, while its kerb weight is not measured.

For the earliest and simplest specification in the catalogue, the first-generation 1.6 MT is the only option: 96 hp, 140 Nm, a 4-speed Manual, and RWD. It should not be selected on presumed price, reliability, collectability, or ease of repair, because none of those factors is measured here. Likewise, no recommendation can be based on Silvia prices or cars for sale; the defensible choice is the version whose measured output, transmission, weight, clearance, suspension, and brakes best match the buyer’s priorities.