1988 Nissan Silvia

1988 Nissan Silvia

1988 Nissan Silvia 001

The S13 Silvia, introduced in mid-1988 the 1989 model year, was immensely popular in Japan. At its introduction in 1988, it won the Car of the Year Japan Award. The Silvia was no longer exported, however; rebadged 180SX were instead sold in most markets. European versions of this car were still known as 200SX. In North America, the S13 (180SX front, all three different bodystyles) was known as the 240SX. In North America, the Nissan 200SX nameplate was on hiatus but would return on a 2 door coupe version of the B14 Nissan Sunny/Sentra (1995–99).

1988 Nissan Silvia 002

The S13 was one of the first uses of Nissan’s multi-link rear suspension, the technology of which was previewed in concept cars in previous years, such as the Nissan MID4. It also offered a four-wheel steering system for the first time, known as HICAS-II. In 1990, HICAS-II was updated and renamed SuperHICAS. The S13 also saw the introduction of a viscous-type limited slip differential for some models.

1988 Nissan Silvia 003

S13 Silvias were initially powered by the CA18DE and CA18DET engines carried over from the end of S12 production, with an intercooler added to the CA18DET for a slight increase in stability and power. In mid-1990, (for the 1991 model year) the SR20DE and SR20DET engines debuted, offering improvements across the board in power and torque due to increased displacement and a more efficient turbocharger than was offered on the previous cars.

1988 Nissan Silvia 004

One of the other simple changes that was made between the CA generation and the SR generation was the switch to a single colour paint job, instead of the two-tone colour sets that were previously offered. On top of this, the SR motor later debuted another variant of the platform known simply as the “black top”. Identifiable by its black and silver rocker-cover (as opposed to the traditional red/silver cover), it featured a number of minor changes, resulting in little performance gain. It is vastly different from the more powerful “notch top” used in the S14 and S15 variants.

1988 Nissan Silvia 005

Car Specifications

Engine: 1.8L Inline 4 Turbo

Weight: 1,120 kg / 2,469 lbs

Power: 129 kW / 173 hp / 175 PS

0-100 kph: 

Torque: 226 Nm / 167 lb-ft

Top Speed: 

Similar Posts

  • 1987 Nissan Skyline GTS-R

    The ultimate version of the R31 was the RB20DET-R powered HR31 GTS-R Coupe of which 800 units were built to allow homologation for Group A Touring Car racing. Introduced in late 1987, it had a reworked version of the normal RB20DET with a much larger turbocharger on a tubular steel exhaust manifold, as well as…

  • 1989 Nissan Skyline GT-R

    After cancelling the Skyline GT-R in 1973, Nissan revived the GT-R again in 1989. At the time Nissan was competing in Group A Racing with the Skyline GTS-R. Nissan wanted to retire the GTS-R in favor of a more competitive vehicle. The new generation GT-R, E-BNR32 chassis (commonly shortened to R32), was designed to dominate Group A racing. The R32 developed 206 kW / 276 hp…

  • 1995 Nissan Skyline GT-R

    Arriving in 1995 the R33 GT-R was the successor to the R32, featuring new styling and a focus on improving the R32’s weaknesses. Due to Japanese car manufacturers facing strict power restriction at the time, the R33 made do with the same power output as before. That meant 280 PS (206 kW) of power and…

  • 2008 Nissan Skyline Coupe 370GT

    The new Skyline coupe builds on the strengths and attributes of the current Skyline sedan – attraction, sophistication and high-performance – and takes them to an even higher level. It combines dramatic styling and a refined, driver-oriented interior with the advanced performance made possible by a newly developed, innovative VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift)…