Nissan Silvia S13 1.8i (135 Hp) Automatic


Overall Rating

7.9 / 10
Safety N/A / 5
Not Rated
Engine 4.5 / 5
Value 4.5 / 5
Performance 4.0 / 5
Comfort 3.0 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

Nissan Silvia:

The Nissan Silvia is the series of small sports cars produced by Nissan. Versions of the Silvia have been marketed as the 200SX or 240SX for export, with some export versions being sold under the Datsun brand.
The Gazelle was the twin-model of Silvia sold in Japan at different dealerships for the S110 and S12 generations; the Gazelle name was also used in Australia for the S12 generation. For the S13 generation in Japan, the Gazelle was replaced with the 180SX, which was a hatchback model of the Silvia with pop-up headlights that was also sold as the 200SX and 240SX for export purposes....(Read more on Wikipedia)

S13 Overview:

Nissan Silvia (S13). With 159 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. Weighing only 1110 kg, it’s quite light. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. A two-door car with a fixed roof, known for its sporty design and dynamic performance. Seating for 4 makes it ideal for daily use.

Safety Rating
Not rated
Euro NCAP Year N/A
Adult Occupant N/A
Stars N/A
Expert Note:
The Nissan Silvia S13 was produced before modern safety standards and Euro NCAP testing, thus it lacks contemporary safety features and crash test ratings.

1.8i (135 Hp) Automatic Verdict:

Rating 2 stars

Performance Verdict

With the automatic transmission, the CA18DE offers very modest performance, best suited for relaxed city driving where power is not a priority.

Fuel Economy

The most fuel-efficient option in the S13 lineup, ideal for those seeking the lowest running costs and a simple, reliable daily driver.

Best Use Case: Economical City Car / Basic Transport

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Iconic styling and strong aftermarket support
  • • Excellent handling and balanced chassis
  • • Highly tunable turbocharged engines (SR20DET, CA18DET)
  • • Rear-wheel-drive layout ideal for enthusiasts and drifting
  • • Strong community and parts availability

Cons:

  • • Aging platform with potential for rust and wear
  • • Lack of modern safety features and crash ratings
  • • Fuel economy can be poor on turbo models when driven hard
  • • Increasing prices due to collector status and demand
  • • Some engines (CA18DET) have specific reliability concerns if not maintained

Specifications:

Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(S12: 1984 - 1988).

General:
Brand:Nissan
Model:Silvia
Generation:S13
Modification (Engine):1.8i (135 Hp) Automatic
Start of production:1988
End of production:1990
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Coupe
Seats:4
Doors:2
Engine:
Power:135 Hp @ 6400 rpm. Same horsepower
Power per litre:74.6 Hp/l [120mm more]
Torque:159 Nm @ 5200 rpm.
Engine Model/Code:CA18DE More details about the engine CA18DE
Engine displacement:1809
Number of cylinders:4
Engine configuration:Inline
Number of valves per cylinder:4
Fuel injection system:Multi-port manifold injection
Engine aspiration:Naturally aspirated engine
Valvetrain:DOHC
Engine layout:Front, Longitudinal
Cylinder Bore:83 mm mm
Piston Stroke:83.6 mm mm
Compression ratio:9.5:1
Performance:
Fuel Type:Petrol (Gasoline)
Weight-to-power ratio:8.2 kg/Hp, 121.6 Hp/tonne
Weight-to-torque ratio:7 kg/Nm, 143.2 Nm/tonne
Space:
Kerb Weight:1110
Fuel tank capacity:60 l
Size:
Length:4470 mm mm [120mm more]
Width:1690 mm mm [30mm more]
Height:1290 mm mm [40mm less]
Wheelbase:2475 mm mm [45mm more]
Front track:1465 mm
Rear (Back) track:1460 mm
Minimum turning circle (turning diameter):9.4 m [above average]
Powertrain:
Drivetrain ArchitectureThe Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle.
Drive wheelRear wheel drive
Number of gears4
Transmission typeAutomatic
Front brakesVentilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.]
Rear brakesDisc [above average]
Tires size185/70 R14
Wheel rims size14
Front suspensionSpring Strut
Rear suspensionDependent, multi-link spring with telescopic shock absorbers

If you could change one thing about the Nissan Silvia, what would it be?