Nissan · 1989–1998

Nissan 180SX

The Nissan 180SX is a fastback automobile that Nissan Motors produced between 1988 and 1998. It is based on the S13 chassis from the Nissan S platform with the variants receiving an R designation (e.g. RS13 and RPS13). It was sold exclusively in Japan. It was re-badged outside of Japan as the 200SX and as the 240SX in the US market.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Nissan Silvia

All Nissan 180SX data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

Model nomenclature and markets

The 180SX was built and sold by Nissan as a sister model to the S13 Silvia sold from model years 1989 through 1998, albeit at two different Japanese Nissan dealerships. The Silvia was sold at Nissan Prince Store, and the 180SX was sold at Nissan Bluebird Store locations. In Japan, the 180SX replaced the Gazelle. The S13 Silvia was discontinued in 1993, but the 180SX successfully convinced Nissan to keep it in the market for the full length of the next generation Silvia (S14). The 180SX differed from the S13 Silvia in that it featured pop-up headlights and a liftgate with different body work at the rear of the car. Specifications and equipment were similar, including the use of a turbocharged CA18DET engine; however, the naturally aspirated CA18DE engine was not offered. The name 180SX was originally in reference to the 1.8 liter displacement CA18DET engine used in its chassis. In 1991, however, the engine was upgraded to a 2.0 liter model, offered in two forms: the turbocharged SR20DET variant and the naturally aspirated SR20DE engine, the latter of which was introduced in 1996. Although the new engine was of larger displacement, the 180SX nomenclature remained. 180SX was also a trim level of the S110 Silvia in Europe. The badges for this model read "Silvia 180SX", so this car is not properly a 180SX by model, but a version of the Silvia instead. Other discrepancies from this standard were distributed to Micronesia and South Pacific islands, including LHD cars with 180SX badges and non-retractable headlamps. Like the Japanese 180SX SR20DET discrepancy, European, as well as South African models of the S13 chassis were called 200SX though equipped with the CA18DET engine, producing 169 PS (124 kW; 167 hp). This allowed the 200SX to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.5 seconds a

180SX generations

The 180SX came in three major generations: the first one was released in March 1989 up to January 1991, the second was from January 1991 to August 1996, and the third and final one from August 1996 to December 1998. The first iteration of the 180SX was released in March 1989 and came in two versions called Type I (standard type) and Type II (advanced type). Nissan's HICAS II four wheel steering system was optional only on the Type II 180SX. All versions had the CA18DET engine with 175 PS. The 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions were available in all types. HICAS-equipped cars have a leading K in their model code; thus the RS13 became KRS13 when equipped with HICAS. The second iteration 180SX was released in January 1991 and included several major changes from the first model. This included the SR20DET engine with 205 PS. Although the engine was larger than the previous CA18DET engine, the '180SX' nomenclature remained. The brakes were enlarged and limited-slip differential was added. The front bumper and parts of the interior were also redesigned. Type I and Type II were once again offered with only trim differences separating the two. The 15-inch alloy wheels also changed in design from the first model. Nissan's Super HICAS four-wheel steering was an option on all models as were 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions. The second iteration was facelifted in January 1991. Although the car largely remained visually and mechanically unchanged, an additional trim level called Type III was added. Electronic climate control and CD audio were also added as options. An additional facelift was performed in 1994, with the trim levels being renamed to Type R and Type X, with Type X being the highest level model. Again, the car remained virtually unchan

RS13U

The RS13U 200SX is a fastback 3-door hatchback with a body shell like the Japanese market 180SX. The notchback coupe version was never offered in the European market - though a number of Japanese market S13 Silvias have been imported privately. Like its predecessor the Nissan Silvia (R)S12 in the European market it used pop-up headlights. The RS13U 200SX was made until December 1993 but sales continued from stocks in the UK until the end of 1994. For a few months both 200SX S14 and RS13U were available. The RS13U 200SX were all powered by the CA18DET engines carried over from the end of S12 RS-X production, with an intercooler added to the CA18DET for a slight increase in stability and power. Despite its name, the SR20DET engine was never offered in Europe as it would have needed new European-type tests and regulations. The chassis with MacPherson strut front and multilink rear suspension was common to all S13 and RS13 models. The European 200SX initially had 257 mm front brakes and rear disc service brakes with drum parking brakes in the rotor hubs. Later models had larger 280 mm front brakes. The European 200SX RS13U had a number of parts as standard that were Nismo optional parts in Japan. Water/oil heat exchanger. Differential oil cooler AND extended finned rear cover holding 0.6 litres more oil, even on models with open differential. Alloy radiator. 3.916 final drive ratio. These were required as the RS13U 200SX has no speed limiter and any car in Europe could visit West Germany where on the Autobahn it could legally be held at very high speeds for a sustained length of time. Japanese cars are fitted with a 180 km/h (112 mph) speed limiter. Digital climate control was not fitted to European models. HICAS rear wheel steering wasn't available, nor was the later Japa

Motorsports

=== Drifting === Like other S platform cars, the 180SX is popular as a drift car. The car is a frequent entrant at the D1 Grand Prix and was used in Masato Kawabata's 2013 championship victory. Kazuya Matsukawa also won the 2007 Street Legal category with a 180SX.

Related vehicles

The 180SX is one of the cars based on the Nissan S platform. The S13 platform also includes: Silvia - The first S13 based production car. Different body with no liftgate. 240SX - North American version of the 180SX. Left hand drive with a 2.4L NA engine (KA24E and KA24DE). 200SX - Name given to the 180SX in Europe. Left or right hand drive with a 1.8L Turbo engine (CA18DET). This name was also given to the S14 and S15 series Silvia on the Australian market. == References ==

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

Manufacturer

Nissan

Production

March 1989 – December 1998

aka

Nissan 200SX

Class

Sports car

Layout

FR

Body style

3-door fastback

Platform

S13

Related

Nissan Silvia (S13), Nissan 240SX

Engine

1.8 L CA18DET turbo I4 (RS13), 2.0 L SR20DE I4 (RPS13), 2.0 L SR20DET I4 Turbo (RPS13)

Transmission

5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic

Wheelbase

2475 mm

Length

4520 mm (1996–1999), 4540 mm (1989–1996)

Width

1690 mm

Height

1290 mm

Kerb weight

1170-1270 kg

Predecessor

Nissan Gazelle S12

Successor

Nissan Silvia S15

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1063020CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_180SXCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1356339701 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1990_240sx_Quarter_View.JPGCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: The pun stops here · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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