Performance Review: Nissan Silvia S15 Spec R - [1999]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Nissan Silvia Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Nissan Silvia S15 Spec R is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1999. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the .This particular Nissan Silvia has a 1998cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Silvia shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Silvia's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1240 kgs (2733 lbs) this makes the Nissan Silvia S15 Spec R in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

The Nissan Silvia shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1998cc 16V St4 engine produces 247 bhp (184 kW) @ 6400 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 203 lb-ft (275.2 Nm) @ 4800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Nissan Silvia you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2014 Porsche 911 Targa 4 991 (224.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Nissan Silvia.

The Nissan Silvia has a Power to weight ratio of 199.1 bhp per ton and 163.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1999 Silvia competing with the 2014 Porsche 911 Targa 4 991 (224.0 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Mercedes CLA 45 AMG 2.0 Turbo (223.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Nissan Silvia generating around 163.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1992 Bentley Mulsanne Turbo R (188.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 1998 Toyota Mark II 2.5 Tourer V (188.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.6 secs, this made the Nissan Silvia S15 Spec R as fast as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2019 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi TCR 2.0 Turbo (5.40 secs) the or the 2019 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo Cabriolet (5.40 secs). This Nissan Silvia S15 Spec R is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs) the and the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Silvia and the 1992 BMW 8 Series 850 CSi 5.6 V12 E31

When talking about the performance of the Nissan Silvia on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.04 secs @ 97.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1992 BMW 8 Series 850 CSi 5.6 V12 E31 (14.00 secs), the 2014 Bentley Mulsanne Speed 6.8 V8 Turbo (14.00 secs), and the 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (14.01 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1999 version of the Nissan Silvia S15 Spec R has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 1999 Silvia equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1999 Nissan Silvia S15 Spec R then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

1999 Silvia Rivals List.

A Brief History of Nissan

Car Comparison