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Rivalry

Started by Draconis · May 18, 2012 · 13postsSMF 2010–26

DraconisMay 18, 2012, 4:04 pm · #1

Among the many motorsports that exist, the S12 Silvia was quite successful, especially in the world of rally competitions. Nissan's choice: S12 SE model sporting the VG30E. As unusual as it was in a time when typical engine platform was that of a four-cylinder 2.0L turbocharged engine, the V6 was a peculiarity. Yet, despite what disadvantages a V6 equipped S12 would have, it proved to be a worthy competitor as it went on to place first in the 1988 Ivory Cost Rally and second in both 1988 and 1989 Safari Rally. Performing well and with style, the S12 indeed proved to be a capable platform as it finished events that were particularly known for destroying many of the competing rally cars.

silvertonMay 18, 2012, 4:08 pm · #2

I like this and it is relevant to my interests.

RomeroMay 18, 2012, 4:46 pm · #3

i wish i could have been there i wanna know what it'd sound like

ArroMay 18, 2012, 8:04 pm · #4

Additional background information:

The reason for Nissan's V6 entrant into the WRC was purely coincidental; the elimination of Group B signified the end of the FJ24-powered 240RS. The FJ20ET-powered Silvia RS-X of 1986 would have been their first choice, however there were insufficient number of that exact trim sold in Japan to meet the WRC's production run requirements (5,000 units or greater). As a result, the V6 was brought into play, and as Colin has noted, did surprisingly well. So well that it was not only used by Nissan, but also later by a number of other teams.

RomeroMay 18, 2012, 8:22 pm · #5

why didn't they then just offer the RS-X in the US market then to meet the numbers?

DraconisMay 18, 2012, 8:33 pm · #6

Arro on 08:04:24 PM / 18-May-12Additional background information:

The reason for Nissan's V6 entrant into the WRC was purely coincidental; the elimination of Group B signified the end of the FJ24-powered 240RS. The FJ20ET-powered Silvia RS-X of 1986 would have been their first choice, however there were insufficient number of that exact trim sold in Japan to meet the WRC's production run requirements (5,000 units or greater). As a result, the V6 was brought into play, and as Colin has noted, did surprisingly well. So well that it was not only used by Nissan, but also later by a number of other teams.

Very much true and thank you for explaining a bit of the history as to why the SE was used in rally events. Although not the intent to give a full history of the S12 and its rally heritage (working on more content for a future project) the demand for 5,000 units is very much correct. With the lack of sales of the RS-X being sold in Japan, Nissan understood that the SE was capable of selling the minimum number of units in the States, thus allowing that model to qualify to compete. It is quite interesting to see how Nissan worked things. When it comes to the name Silvia, the average person will only connect it with that of drifting. The name Silvia is far from being recognized or even recalled to have competed in a rallying event, especially that of the WRC. Even those in rallying circles, one may be hard pressed to find a mention of the S12 or its success.

ArroMay 18, 2012, 8:36 pm · #7

Romero on 08:22:23 PM / 18-May-12why didn't they then just offer the RS-X in the US market then to meet the numbers?

Because the FJ20ET in no way, shape, or form could have met emissions standards even back in the mid-80's, not for Federal emissions, and certainly not for California which by 1986 were already rather strict. They had plans to release the SE here (which of course they did), and believe it or not it was the North American market that fulfilled the production unit requirement for WRC.

RomeroMay 18, 2012, 9:45 pm · #8

hmm wouldn't then that be the first case of a WRC car that in a way is american?

PraizewoodMay 19, 2012, 12:40 pm · #9

You could say that about the ford rally cars as well, since ford is an american brand. But the production of the focus, fiesta and escort was in Germany as far as I know.

ArroMay 19, 2012, 6:53 pm · #10

What Omer said, basically. That, and there is a distinct difference from Ford of North America and Ford of Europe, which the latter was the official WRC entrant company. But back in the 80's the distinction between such things wasn't as defined, and unlike Ford which produces cars both in North America and Europe (and has for some time), Nissan back in the 80's produced them solely out of Japan and exported to other markets. So if it was a Nissan, it was a Nissan. Period. Not a Nissan North America. Just a Nissan. Even if that particular trim of S12 (the SE) was only sold in one market, it was STILL manufactured in Japan and sold on this side of the world exclusively (which I imagine frustrated JDM S12 enthusiasts both then and later).

PraizewoodMay 19, 2012, 7:55 pm · #11

Arro on 06:53:55 PM / 19-May-12Even if that particular trim of S12 (the SE) was only sold in one market, it was STILL manufactured in Japan and sold on this side of the world exclusively (which I imagine frustrated JDM S12 enthusiasts both then and later).

This I wondered as well, but yeah! The production is right next door but we don't even see a single one of them at our nissan dealer - what a crappy situation.

ArroMay 19, 2012, 9:19 pm · #12

Yes, and I imagine they found it particularly frustrating because let's face it, from a completely OEM spec point of view, the CA18DET version of the RS-X wasn't up to par with the SE. Sure, the turbo engine was more tunable, but I'm just talking driven off the lot performance. And V6 boasting rights lol.

PraizewoodMay 23, 2012, 7:07 pm · #13

I agree. This probably goes for a lot of models and other japanese brands, since the situation with the production being in japan was probably the same.

It's kinda like the new normally hybrid Fisker being sold as only EV here because of tax rules, while it's still a danish owned company. They don't even take out the gasoline engine - they just block it electronically lol. Actually the production is in the us or just has been moved to - lucky you guys.