Nissan is considering the return of the Silvia, but it needs the right business strategy to make it happen

Nissan Silvia comeback? Nissan considering an entry-level sports car

Image Credit: Nissan

Nissan has been in rumors of reviving the iconic Silvia nameplate for nearly 20 years. Also known as the 200SX and 240SX in the United States, the car never completely disappeared. Company executives are well aware of the model's loyal fans, and Nissan has revealed that they are not ruling out resurrecting the nameplate at some point.

Silvia reborn?

Ivan Espinosa, Nissan's vice president of global product strategy, told Top Gear that "a new Silvia could attract customers with enough power at a reasonable price below the GT-R." He also revealed that "there are a lot of Silvia fans everywhere," and that it is his "dream" to bring Silvia back. However, it takes more than just an executive's comment to make a car worthwhile.

Is it possible for the Silvia to come back?

Historically, the Silvia has been positioned below the Z models in terms of power and price. The current generation GT-R, which costs around $223,000, has 600 horsepower. The Silvia should be positioned below the GT-R and Z, with a potential price of around $30,000.

Espinosa acknowledged that "there are possibilities, but in the end, it's a business. I need to find ways to make such a proposition interesting for the company."

Challenges and prospects

The market for affordable sports coupes and convertibles is shrinking. Toyota sold only 11,078 units of the GR86 in the United States in 2023. Therefore, making a strong business case for the new Silvia could be challenging.

However, Espinosa is optimistic, "Sometimes cars like this struggle a bit because the audience is not that big, but if we find the right idea that can be driven everywhere in the world it could work. There's a chance."

A glimpse of history

Nissan discontinued the Silvia nameplate in 2002 when it stopped producing the S15-generation model in Japan. Its predecessor, the S14-generation Silvia, was available in the United States as the 240SX until the 1998 model year.

Will we get to see the new Silvia soon?

The rebirth of Silvia could be an exciting opportunity for Nissan, but it needs the right business strategy to make it happen. Nissan has made it clear that they will do their best to make it happen. With the spirit of "never say never," the return of the Silvia could come true one day.