Currently, Nissan offers two sports cars: the GT-R and the Z. The GT-R is positioned at the high end of the market and is set to be phased out soon, while the Z occupies a middle ground. However, Ivan Espinosa, Nissan’s Vice President of Global Product Strategy, has revealed that the company plans to introduce a third, entry-level sports car, potentially named the Silvia.
“I keep saying in my mind that we need three sports cars in our lineup: a GT-R, a Z, and something else, which I envision as the Silvia. Will we actually produce it? I’m working on it,” Espinosa shared with Australian media during an event in Abu Dhabi, according to Drive.
If Espinosa’s vision for a new Silvia, designed to compete with the Mazda MX-5, comes to fruition, it is likely to include some form of electrification. Although he did not commit to a specific hybrid or battery-electric vehicle (BEV) format, he emphasized that this anticipated coupe would not be solely powered by traditional combustion engines. He reassured that if the Silvia receives approval, it will be a global vehicle, expected to be available in North America as well. “To achieve sufficient scale, we need something that can be successful globally,” he noted.
Espinosa also indicated that the Silvia would likely feature an independently developed architecture and expressed a desire for Nissan to avoid partnerships with other automakers for its creation, contrasting with Toyota’s approach in producing the Supra and GR86.
“Personally, I’m uncertain of the company’s decision, but I would advocate against [collaborating with another brand],” Espinosa stated. “That wouldn’t be the case for these types of cars, especially since Nissan excels in these areas.”
If Nissan does decide to bring back the Silvia, it’s essential that the name remains intact in the United States. The last iterations of the Silvia sold in the U.S., the S13 and S14, were marketed as the 240SX. While this name holds value for American consumers, retaining the Silvia moniker would not only excite Nissan enthusiasts but also come across as far more appealing.
Unfortunately, it seems that this ambitious project is not on the immediate horizon, if it happens at all. “I’m actively working to make it happen,” he remarked. “It’s a challenging situation, particularly as the sports car market is declining.” Even if Espinosa’s aspirations materialize, the new Silvia would likely not debut until at least the end of the decade.
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