For almost three years we heard many rumors about a successor for the Nissan 200SX, but now according to AutoExpress, Japanese giant Nissan’s rival to the Mazda MX-5 is back on the agenda and that’s not all because it’s going electric!
The automaker’s plan to launch 52 new cars by 2016 has carved a path towards production for the 200SX, which may be seen as early as 2013. Before the 2+2 was canned, the plan had been for it to sit on the 370Z platform, with power from the 188bhp 1.6-litre turbo found in the Juke.
Still the new car, which is likely to get an entirely different name, will use a new chassis. In March this year, Daimler bosses signed an agreement to supply mid-size platforms to Nissan, so the new 200SX will be built on a new mid-size platform supplied by Daimler that will also be used for the 370Z replacement and the next GT-R. This would accommodate everything from four-cylinder motors to V8s. Also the Infiniti G and a new sports car from the luxury brand will use this new platform.
So far, there aren’t any details on the powertrain that will be used for the future 200SX, but a tuned version of the Leaf’s drivetrain and a hybrid set-up are under consideration.
Finally, the company has previously expressed an interest in an all-electric rear-wheel-drive sports car, with the ESFLOW concept, which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March. AutoExpress’s sources have revealed that Nissan will get help in tuning the chassis from Lotus Engineering. Also, the Brits could assist with a new lightweight construction, but is still to early to talk about this.
Price: around £20,000
Specs: expect the new model to arrive in 2013
Source: Autoexpress
