Top fifteen Best Nissan Sports Cars of All Time
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Nissan has always had a good sports car or two in production to please that automotive enthusiast itch. Pretty much anyone who knows anything about the world of automobiles knows about Nissan’s Z cars, SXs and GT-Rs.
This has led to a long history of fun-to-drive machinery that is pretty much unlikely to shrink down to a Top ten list. So I won’t. Instead, I ranked the Top fifteen Nissan sports cars of all time. Let us know what your beloved Nissan of all time is in the comments below.
15. Nissan Micra Superturbo
The Micra is and always has been a subcompact commuter car. But in 1989, Nissan extracted the Micra Superturbo. As the name suggests, the Micra received a turbocharger on its 0.9-liter four-cylinder engine. But nestled under the spandex hood was even more compelled induction. Alongside the turbo, there was also a supercharger.
Yup, the Micra Superturbo was twin-charged to produce one hundred eight hp. With a five-speed manual transmission and limited slip differential up front, the toughly 1,500-lb Superturbo was a blast to drive.
14. Datsun Sports
Before the legendary Nissan/Datsun Z cars, there were the Sports models. Prominent during the 1960s, the Sports (Fairlady in Japan) were a series of roadsters that began with the Sports 1000, using a 38-hp 1.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It would be followed by the Sports 1200, Sports 1500, Sports one thousand six hundred and, eventually, the Sports 2000.
By the time the two thousand arrived, power was up to one hundred thirty three hp from a Two.0-liter four-cylinder, which was fairly a bit in a Two,000-lb vehicle. More than just spectacle, the Sports were also good-looking roadsters with a lot of British influence in their design.
13. Nissan Silvia 240RS
In 1983, Nissan wished a fresh car to go rally racing, so the company looked at the S110 Silvia (known as the 200SX in America) as a basis. With broader assets work, upgraded mechanics and a special Two.4-liter version of the FJ four-cylinder engine, the 240RS made two hundred thirty seven hp and one hundred seventy three lb-ft of torque.
As a race car, it achieved moderate success in world rally racing, but never did live up to the potential Nissan had hoped for.
12. Nissan Pulsar GTI-R
Another car created to appease World Rally Championship homologation requirements, the 1990-1994 Nissan Pulsar GTI-R came tooled with all-wheel drive and a turbocharged Two.0-liter four-cylinder engine making two hundred twenty seven hp and two hundred ten lb-ft of torque.
A big wing, rubber hood scoop and lower bod work distinguished the GTI-R apart from regular Pulsar models. Weight was way up in GTI-R models, some six hundred lbs, but at Two,690 lbs, the car was still relatively light for the amount of power it had.
11. Nissan Silvia NISMO 270R
Like the 240RS, the 270R was a one-off special based on the Silvia platform. But unlike the 240RS, the 270R wasn’t meant for rally racing — it was a designed for the track. Based on the S14 Silvia, known as the 240SX in America, the one thousand nine hundred ninety four 270R was actually created by Nissan’s tuning arm NISMO.
The two hundred seventy refers to the amount of horsepower coming from the Two.0-liter turbocharged engine, a healthy increase over regular Silvias. Other enhancements included an aerokit and a two-way limited slip differential in the rear.
Ten. Nissan 350Z/370Z
After a brief hiatus, the Nissan Z car returned in two thousand two as the 350Z. Powered by a Three.5-liter V6 making two hundred eighty seven hp, the Z was a two-seat sports car wearing sexy, modern styling for its time. By 2008, the 350Z made three hundred six hp, better matching its competition at the time.
In 2009, the next generation of modern Z cars came out, called the 370Z. The three hundred seventy referred to the increase in engine displacement for the V6 engine, now measuring Trio.7 liters. Power was up to three hundred thirty two hp and the car was actually smaller and lighter than the 350Z. And for even more spectacle, the is the 350-hp Nissan 370Z NISMO.
9. Nissan Silvia Spec R Aero
For the final version of the Silvia (aka the 240SX), Nissan saved the company’s best special edition for last. Called the Spec-R, this hot-rod version of the Silvia may have used the same 250-hp Two.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as some other Silvias at the time, but a lot of other components were switched.
The bod and chassis structures were reinforced, the five-speed manual was ditched in favor of the six-speed manual, the brakes were upgraded and four-wheel steering was available. Also available was an Aero package that included a massive rear wing.
8. Nissan Juke-R
How do you make the oddball Nissan Juke crossover a supercar killer? Simply install the GT-R’s mechanics underneath. With a 545-hp Trio.8-liter turbocharged V6 powering all four wheels through a dual-clutch transmission, the Juke-R was as nutty as a car concept can get. But this one was actually built.
This year, Nissan has introduced the Juke-R Two.0 utilizing the GT-R NISMO’s mechanics, which are good for six hundred hp and four hundred eighty one lb-ft. That should propel the subcompact crossover from zero to sixty mph in just Three.7 seconds.
7. 1969-1973 Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R
These are the cars that embarked it all, the original Skyline GT-Rs. They would set forward decades of incredible sports cars produced by Nissan and make the Skyline and GT-R automotive icons.
Very first arriving in 1969, the Skyline GT-R came tooled with a 160-hp Two.0-liter six-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission. In 1973, a 2nd generation of the Skyline GT-R would arrive powered by the same Two.0-liter six-cylinder, but only last a single year before being discontinued.
6. Nissan 280ZX/300ZX Turbo
The Nissan ZX cars would substitute the original Z cars in 1978. The very first model was the 280ZX that came with a Two.8-liter six-cylinder engine making one hundred forty five hp. In 1981, a turbocharger would be added as an option, enhancing power to one hundred eighty hp.
In 1983, a second-generation ZX arrived, now suggesting a Three.0-liter V6 in naturally aspirated or turbocharged form. By the end of this model’s run, the turbo engine made anywhere from two hundred to two hundred twenty seven hp depending on the market.
In 1989, the final 300ZX would inject production. A two-seat or Two+Two configuration were available as well as a 300-hp turbocharged Trio.0-liter V6 engine. It was one of the iconic Japanese sports cars of the 1990s, a period of time in which many consider the golden age for Japan’s auto industry.
Five. Nissan Stagea Autech 260RS
Similar to the thinking behind the Juke-R, in the 1990s, Nissan took the Skyline GT-R’s mechanics and rammed them under a grocery-getting wagon. Called the Stagea Autech 260RS, this conversion was a lot more seamless and more affordable than the Juke-R Frankenstiening.
Just like the R33 Skyline GT-R, the top-of-the-line Stagea included the legendary Two.6-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine that produced a very underrated two hundred seventy six hp. A manual, all-wheel drive, turbocharged super-wagon sounds like the stuff enthusiast wishes are made of, and it was.
Four. Nissan 240Z/260Z/280Z
Nissan’s Z cars have an iconic status that few other sports cars have achieved. When the one thousand nine hundred seventy 240Z (Fairlady Z in Japan) came on the market, it was instantly heralded as a poor man’s Jaguar, which had a lot to do with its similar styling.
Powered by a Two.4-liter six-cylinder engine, the original Z weighed just more than Two,300 lbs and made one hundred fifty one hp. In 1974, the engine was enlarged to Two.6-liters and thus the car’s name switched to 260Z. Just one year later, an even larger engine became available in the 280Z. Albeit the car’s weight had enhanced, power was now up to one hundred seventy hp.
To this day, many consider these original Z cars some of the best-looking sports cars ever produced.
Trio. Nissan GT-R
After the discontinuation of the Skyline GT-R, there was a gap left at the top of the Nissan spectacle hierarchy. To pack the void, Nissan would create a purpose built, no-nonsense sports car called the GT-R. Powered by a turbocharged Three.8-liter V6 engine, the GT-R has earned a reputation for ruining more powerful, far pricier competition.
Originally making four hundred seventy eight hp in 2008, the GT-R can now produce upwards of six hundred hp in the crazy-quick NISMO form. But power is just one aspect of the GT-R’s incredible spectacle. The dual-clutch transmission and advanced all-wheel drive system make sure laps around the track are finished as quickly as possible.
Two. Nissan Skyline GT-R R32-R34
There would be no modern GT-R if it weren’t for the R32, R33 and R34 Skyline GT-Rs. The R32, R33 and R34 codes indicate the three generations of Skyline GT-Rs that were sold from one thousand nine hundred eighty nine until 2002. Based on the Skyline coupe and sedan, these unaware all-wheel drive cars could strike a lot of amazing machinery on the street and the track.
With the exception of a few one off specials like the 400R, all versions of the Skyline GT-R used a turbocharged Two.6-liter six-cylinder engine. Adhering to the self-imposed horsepower limit of two hundred seventy six ponies, the underrated GT-R continued to increase torque over its fourteen year run, hinting that power truly was enlargening as well.
1. Nissan R390 GT1
In the mid-1990s, if a manufacturer dreamed to race in the top tier at the twenty four hours of Le Stud’s, the racecar had to be based on a road going vehicle. This led to crazy one off creations like the Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR, Porsche nine hundred eleven GT1 and the Nissan R390 GT1.
With a Trio.5-liter V8 hooked up to a sequential six-speed transmission sending power to the rear wheels, the R390 GT1 looked like a Le Guy’s prototype for the streets because, well, it was. Only two cars were ever built, but one is in the forearms of a private holder.
With a top speed of two hundred twenty mph and the capability to dispatch the quarter mile in just over eleven seconds, the R390 GT1 was one of the fastest cars of its time.
Top fifteen Best Nissan Sports Cars of All Time » News
Top fifteen Best Nissan Sports Cars of All Time
Like AutoGuide.com on Facebook
Nissan has always had a good sports car or two in production to please that automotive enthusiast itch. Pretty much anyone who knows anything about the world of automobiles knows about Nissan’s Z cars, SXs and GT-Rs.
This has led to a long history of fun-to-drive machinery that is pretty much unlikely to shrink down to a Top ten list. So I won’t. Instead, I ranked the Top fifteen Nissan sports cars of all time. Let us know what your beloved Nissan of all time is in the comments below.
15. Nissan Micra Superturbo
The Micra is and always has been a subcompact commuter car. But in 1989, Nissan let out the Micra Superturbo. As the name suggests, the Micra received a turbocharger on its 0.9-liter four-cylinder engine. But nestled under the fetish mask was even more compelled induction. Alongside the turbo, there was also a supercharger.
Yup, the Micra Superturbo was twin-charged to produce one hundred eight hp. With a five-speed manual transmission and limited slip differential up front, the toughly 1,500-lb Superturbo was a blast to drive.
14. Datsun Sports
Before the legendary Nissan/Datsun Z cars, there were the Sports models. Prominent during the 1960s, the Sports (Fairlady in Japan) were a series of roadsters that began with the Sports 1000, using a 38-hp 1.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It would be followed by the Sports 1200, Sports 1500, Sports one thousand six hundred and, eventually, the Sports 2000.
By the time the two thousand arrived, power was up to one hundred thirty three hp from a Two.0-liter four-cylinder, which was fairly a bit in a Two,000-lb vehicle. More than just spectacle, the Sports were also good-looking roadsters with a lot of British influence in their design.
13. Nissan Silvia 240RS
In 1983, Nissan wished a fresh car to go rally racing, so the company looked at the S110 Silvia (known as the 200SX in America) as a basis. With broader bod work, upgraded mechanics and a special Two.4-liter version of the FJ four-cylinder engine, the 240RS made two hundred thirty seven hp and one hundred seventy three lb-ft of torque.
As a race car, it achieved moderate success in world rally racing, but never did live up to the potential Nissan had hoped for.
12. Nissan Pulsar GTI-R
Another car created to appease World Rally Championship homologation requirements, the 1990-1994 Nissan Pulsar GTI-R came tooled with all-wheel drive and a turbocharged Two.0-liter four-cylinder engine making two hundred twenty seven hp and two hundred ten lb-ft of torque.
A big wing, bondage mask scoop and lower bod work distinguished the GTI-R apart from regular Pulsar models. Weight was way up in GTI-R models, some six hundred lbs, but at Two,690 lbs, the car was still relatively light for the amount of power it had.
11. Nissan Silvia NISMO 270R
Like the 240RS, the 270R was a one-off special based on the Silvia platform. But unlike the 240RS, the 270R wasn’t meant for rally racing — it was a designed for the track. Based on the S14 Silvia, known as the 240SX in America, the one thousand nine hundred ninety four 270R was actually created by Nissan’s tuning arm NISMO.
The two hundred seventy refers to the amount of horsepower coming from the Two.0-liter turbocharged engine, a healthy increase over regular Silvias. Other enhancements included an aerokit and a two-way limited slip differential in the rear.
Ten. Nissan 350Z/370Z
After a brief hiatus, the Nissan Z car returned in two thousand two as the 350Z. Powered by a Trio.5-liter V6 making two hundred eighty seven hp, the Z was a two-seat sports car wearing sexy, modern styling for its time. By 2008, the 350Z made three hundred six hp, better matching its competition at the time.
In 2009, the next generation of modern Z cars came out, called the 370Z. The three hundred seventy referred to the increase in engine displacement for the V6 engine, now measuring Trio.7 liters. Power was up to three hundred thirty two hp and the car was actually smaller and lighter than the 350Z. And for even more spectacle, the is the 350-hp Nissan 370Z NISMO.
9. Nissan Silvia Spec R Aero
For the final version of the Silvia (aka the 240SX), Nissan saved the company’s best special edition for last. Called the Spec-R, this hot-rod version of the Silvia may have used the same 250-hp Two.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as some other Silvias at the time, but a lot of other components were switched.
The assets and chassis structures were reinforced, the five-speed manual was ditched in favor of the six-speed manual, the brakes were upgraded and four-wheel steering was available. Also available was an Aero package that included a massive rear wing.
8. Nissan Juke-R
How do you make the oddball Nissan Juke crossover a supercar killer? Simply install the GT-R’s mechanics underneath. With a 545-hp Three.8-liter turbocharged V6 powering all four wheels through a dual-clutch transmission, the Juke-R was as nutty as a car concept can get. But this one was actually built.
This year, Nissan has introduced the Juke-R Two.0 utilizing the GT-R NISMO’s mechanics, which are good for six hundred hp and four hundred eighty one lb-ft. That should propel the subcompact crossover from zero to sixty mph in just Three.7 seconds.
7. 1969-1973 Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R
These are the cars that began it all, the original Skyline GT-Rs. They would set forward decades of incredible sports cars produced by Nissan and make the Skyline and GT-R automotive icons.
Very first arriving in 1969, the Skyline GT-R came tooled with a 160-hp Two.0-liter six-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission. In 1973, a 2nd generation of the Skyline GT-R would arrive powered by the same Two.0-liter six-cylinder, but only last a single year before being discontinued.
6. Nissan 280ZX/300ZX Turbo
The Nissan ZX cars would substitute the original Z cars in 1978. The very first model was the 280ZX that came with a Two.8-liter six-cylinder engine making one hundred forty five hp. In 1981, a turbocharger would be added as an option, enhancing power to one hundred eighty hp.
In 1983, a second-generation ZX arrived, now suggesting a Trio.0-liter V6 in naturally aspirated or turbocharged form. By the end of this model’s run, the turbo engine made anywhere from two hundred to two hundred twenty seven hp depending on the market.
In 1989, the final 300ZX would inject production. A two-seat or Two+Two configuration were available as well as a 300-hp turbocharged Trio.0-liter V6 engine. It was one of the iconic Japanese sports cars of the 1990s, a period of time in which many consider the golden age for Japan’s auto industry.
Five. Nissan Stagea Autech 260RS
Similar to the thinking behind the Juke-R, in the 1990s, Nissan took the Skyline GT-R’s mechanics and plunged them under a grocery-getting wagon. Called the Stagea Autech 260RS, this conversion was a lot more seamless and more affordable than the Juke-R Frankenstiening.
Just like the R33 Skyline GT-R, the top-of-the-line Stagea included the legendary Two.6-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine that produced a very underrated two hundred seventy six hp. A manual, all-wheel drive, turbocharged super-wagon sounds like the stuff enthusiast fantasies are made of, and it was.
Four. Nissan 240Z/260Z/280Z
Nissan’s Z cars have an iconic status that few other sports cars have achieved. When the one thousand nine hundred seventy 240Z (Fairlady Z in Japan) came on the market, it was instantly heralded as a poor man’s Jaguar, which had a lot to do with its similar styling.
Powered by a Two.4-liter six-cylinder engine, the original Z weighed just more than Two,300 lbs and made one hundred fifty one hp. In 1974, the engine was enlarged to Two.6-liters and thus the car’s name switched to 260Z. Just one year later, an even larger engine became available in the 280Z. Albeit the car’s weight had enhanced, power was now up to one hundred seventy hp.
To this day, many consider these original Z cars some of the best-looking sports cars ever produced.
Trio. Nissan GT-R
After the discontinuation of the Skyline GT-R, there was a gap left at the top of the Nissan spectacle hierarchy. To pack the void, Nissan would create a purpose built, no-nonsense sports car called the GT-R. Powered by a turbocharged Trio.8-liter V6 engine, the GT-R has earned a reputation for ruining more powerful, far pricier competition.
Originally making four hundred seventy eight hp in 2008, the GT-R can now produce upwards of six hundred hp in the crazy-quick NISMO form. But power is just one aspect of the GT-R’s incredible spectacle. The dual-clutch transmission and advanced all-wheel drive system make sure laps around the track are ended as quickly as possible.
Two. Nissan Skyline GT-R R32-R34
There would be no modern GT-R if it weren’t for the R32, R33 and R34 Skyline GT-Rs. The R32, R33 and R34 codes represent the three generations of Skyline GT-Rs that were sold from one thousand nine hundred eighty nine until 2002. Based on the Skyline coupe and sedan, these unaware all-wheel drive cars could strike a lot of outstanding machinery on the street and the track.
With the exception of a few one off specials like the 400R, all versions of the Skyline GT-R used a turbocharged Two.6-liter six-cylinder engine. Adhering to the self-imposed horsepower limit of two hundred seventy six ponies, the underrated GT-R continued to increase torque over its fourteen year run, hinting that power truly was enlargening as well.
1. Nissan R390 GT1
In the mid-1990s, if a manufacturer wished to race in the top tier at the twenty four hours of Le Boy’s, the racecar had to be based on a road going vehicle. This led to crazy one off creations like the Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR, Porsche nine hundred eleven GT1 and the Nissan R390 GT1.
With a Three.5-liter V8 hooked up to a sequential six-speed transmission sending power to the rear wheels, the R390 GT1 looked like a Le Guy’s prototype for the streets because, well, it was. Only two cars were ever built, but one is in the forearms of a private possessor.
With a top speed of two hundred twenty mph and the capability to dispatch the quarter mile in just over eleven seconds, the R390 GT1 was one of the fastest cars of its time.