RUMOR: Nissan To Compete Against The Mazda MX-5 With An Electric Sports Car?

One of the very few brands to actually create a proper sports car is going to be coming out with something not too surprising; however, there is a twist. Of course there's a twist.

Nissan, which was known for its 200SX, is set to give that car a rebirth in a new form. Said to be inspired by the ESFLOW concept, in terms of powertrain and drivetrain, the upcoming sports car will feature rear-wheel drive and is said to be propelled by an electric powerplant.

Though this is the first word of such an endeavor, you can thank Nissan's ambitious plan to launch 50 plus new cars by 2016.

Word on the street is hinting that this product will launch in 2013 and will be priced to compete with the Mazda MX-5.


Japanese giant Nissan’s rival to the Mazda MX-5 is back on the agenda – and it’s going electric.

The company had shelved plans to revive the legendary rear-wheel-drive 200SX back in 2008. But work on the project has started again, as part of Nissan’s push to launch 52 new cars by 2016. 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.

[Source: AutoExpress]


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tango - 8/3/2011 7:36:07 AM

+1 Boost

Whoever wrote that article is totally confused. I can't see how this vehicle (or the 200SX) is being compared to the MX-5. The 200SX, which this article seems to imply is the car's ancestor, was never competition for the MX-5. The article also contradicts itself by stating that electric and hybrid drivetrains are being CONSIDERED. They have not made a decision as yet. Let's assume that it will be electric. The Leaf's drivetrain can't be used here because it is front drive on a front drive, while this car will be built on a Mercedes-derived rear drive chassis. Additionally, in many ways that would be very comparable to the Tesla Roadster (which also borrows a European rear-drive chassis, albeit from Lotus).

MorePower - 8/4/2011 3:40:55 AM

+2 Boost

How about a rear-drive 240SX replacement?

If it handles well, looks good and will give me a range of 150 miles of clean, hard driving . . . I'm in!

SHINJI71 - 8/4/2011 9:12:49 AM

+1 Boost

I agree; Nissan should bring back the 240sx and keep it under $28k with all the options and also offer a light weight base model with only the essentials for around $23k. They should also bring back the 200sx as compact sports coupe to compete head to head with the Civic Si and maybe a future Celica GTS it Toyota will ever pull their heads out of their ass.

Tarzan - 8/5/2011 10:36:34 PM

+1 Boost

just down't make it look like a Juke