Nissan’s Potential Revival of the Silvia
The Japanese automaker acknowledged it needs a car that can spark renewed interest among younger buyers.
Key Points
- Nissan’s CEO said a sporty model like the IDx could be beneficial for the brand.
- A modern Silvia could appeal to younger buyers and revitalize the brand’s image.
- Espinosa says the S15 remains one of Nissan’s best driver-focused creations.
Reviving Classic Models
A growing number of Japanese automakers are turning back the clock, digging into their archives to bring back some of their most memorable models. Toyota rekindled the flame with the Supra and may soon repeat the feat with the Celica, while Honda followed suit by resurrecting the Integra and Prelude.
Can a Silvia Revive Interest in Nissan?
Nissan is currently deep in a financial restructuring, cutting jobs and shutting down factories across the globe. While its immediate focus will be on volume sellers, the brand’s boss, Ivan Espinosa, acknowledged that a sporty model like the IDx unveiled back in 2013 could make a strong case for itself.
“I think (a car like the IDx) will serve many purposes. It would be a car that helps express the Nissan brand,” he told Kuruma News. “Secondly, it has the potential to appeal to a younger demographic, as it is very important for an automaker to continue to attract younger customers to its brand,” he added. “It’s not just about price, although price is certainly a factor, but there needs to be something compelling that makes young customers want to follow the brand.”
Espinosa has a point. Toyota’s GR division has breathed new life into a brand that not so long ago was dismissed as sensible to a fault. Nissan could learn something from that. While it does already sell the Z, it doesn’t seem to be quite up to the task of capturing the imagination of enthusiasts. This is where a new Silvia could come in.
The Writing’s Not On The Wall
Asked directly if he would like to see the Silvia return, Espinosa said that he “would love to bring it back.” He went on to add that a revived Silvia is “just an idea in my head” and acknowledged that any new iteration would have to be lightweight like the originals, while still meeting modern safety standards.
“The S15 with its high-output 2-litre turbo engine is one of my favorites in Nissan’s history,” he added. “For me, this car is one of the best lightweight sports cars we’ve built. The combination of chassis and powertrain is a lot of fun, thanks to the extremely light and well-tuned chassis. We sincerely want to deliver cars like this.”
At this point, we’ll have to wait and find out whether Nissan will actually be able to successfully revive the Silvia. Still, we’re keeping our fingers crossed. While most buyers have shifted toward crossovers and SUVs, there’s no shortage of drivers who still crave something that rewards the person behind the wheel. A return of another classic wouldn’t just make sense, it would be warmly welcomed.
