RWD : Rear Wheel Drive

Sometimes referred to as Correct Wheel Drive. Rear wheel drive cars will always be enjoyed by the true sports car driver. Although most manufacturers have turned their back on rear wheel drive, almost all 'proper sports cars' and most of the high end powerful cars are still produced in rear wheel drive.

The Nissan  200SX S13 Turbo is such a car.

The 200SX S13 comes with two different bodies - the Silvia coupe and the 200SX hatchback. I am having the 200SX hatchback. The 200SX S13 came with two different bodies - the Coupe and the hatchback version. I am having the 200SX hatchback version which I reckon is more sporty in looks.

All models have electric windows, central door locking, electric motorized side mirrors, dash dimmer control and power assisted steering. The car was fitted with disc brakes all round. ABS was also available as a factory option.

The S13 range started as early as 1989. During late 1991, the S13 range changed the front bumper styling to reflect a more contemporary look. Also added, was a newly styled set of alloys rims. All cars produced after these periods were fitted with larger front brakes and pads.

It was also at this face-lift period of time that the Nissan engineers reckoned the presence of oil cooler would benefit the turbo-charged engine and designed an tiny odd looking oil cooler and combined it as part of the oil filter housing. Most may not see this as it was hidden down there close to the engine oil sensor.

Nissan Japan's first S13 200SX was powered by a CA18DET engine; a water-cooled Garrett T25 single turbocharged, air-to-air side mount intercooler, DOHC, and coupled with 16-valve in total. Induction air would be drawn pass an airflow meter, where the mixture will be sparked with direct-fire ignition in an 1809cc inline four cylinders under the compression ratio of 8.5:1.

With two cams which act directly on the top of the 8 lobes valves for each cam, the CA18 DET 16 valve twin cam cross flow head, mini-butterfly plate and direct spark plug mounted coils was a highly engineered motor which won numerous awards during its production times.

Sadly, it was these attributes that eventually lead to its demise. The engine block was build with cast iron and practically bullet proof and was a costly motor to produced with too many parts involving high production costs.

The CA18DET twin-cam turbo had a Japanese quoted peak output of 130kW at 6400 rpm and 225Nm of torque at 4000 rpm.

Despite its obvious sporting pretense, the 200SX is a very livable sort of car. Dribbling along with traffic flow, there isn't any single aspect that becomes tiresome. The seats are comfortable and all essential controls falls within reach to easily. The driving position is good (aided by an adjustable steering column), armrests are in the correct position plus the gear knob and handbrake lever are within reach comfortably. Unlike some other Nissans from the same era, the cabin of the 200SX is well illuminated and airy – all thanks to its low waistline and the large expanse of glasses.

Moving on to the back seat. First of all, the appropriate front seat needs to be slide forward and the backrest tilted forward in two separate actions. Once back aboard, knee room is minimal. Headroom is not an issue for most above average size adults. Anyone taller than about 175cm tall might need to keep his or her head over at an angle. Nevertheless I have yet to encounter anyone who proclaimed discomfort at the back seat. I personally had sat in the back seat of a fellow S13 owner’s car all the way from Singapore to Malaysia and did not experience any discomposure during the journey.

Moving rearwards again would the cargo area of the 200SX S13. Surprisingly cargo space is pretty generous and can swallow about one golf bag plus additonal one or two traveling suitcases. A space-saver spare will maintain a good cargo depth, while folding the rear seat backrest forward will accommodate extra long items. Given that my baby is a hatchback, the loading lip is exceptionally quite high for a sports car and this makes loading in of items a child’s play.

It's pretty near impossible to criticize the styling of the 200SX. It carries smooth bodylines all the way around, is well proportioned and has a very low-slung shape (the 'SX stands only 1290mm tall). Pop-up headlights have allowed designers to give it a sharp nose. At the opposite end, the stock chassis carried a small rear spoiler deck to reduce aerodynamic lift.

My first 'mod' to this car were actually the car seats and the steering wheel. The seats provided reasonably comfortable support and were in good shape and so I had the old fabric replaced with full genuine black leather which immediately gave the car a classy look and feel to it. I had kinda regretted after that for not opting for a two tone ( red and black ?) color instead which would probably gave the interior a more hip look. Anyhow, cleaning for black leather was very easy and it desist from stains very well. The body went on shortly after I purchased the car. From the look of it, I thought to myself, “ well, that was it “.

But I was wrong. Only a few months later, performance bugs bit me hard. I was intoxicated. You guys out there having a faster SX will know what I mean.

I needed a vaccine ..... FAST!
Being dysfunction was hard to bear. So I went out to purchase some vaccination which comprised of a bigger turbo, bigger intercooler, a f**king loud full catback exhaust system, electronic boost controller, fuel and ignition management control, suspension, transmission, handling and brakes.

Contrary to what most people would anticipate, the maintenance was quite unadorned after one had made sure that everything was in working order, that is no leakage here and there and not pushing the car to the extreme too often and revving it past the redline zone. In spite of these cautionary words, cars like S13 were meant to be pushed hard and fast. With a free flow exhaust system bolted on the car sang and loves rocketing here and there once in awhile. :)

In terms of fuel consumption, alike many turbo cars, elevating the standard boost would see the engine squander the energy juice at a much faster rate. However in daily urban driving with civil sanity, the S13 can exhibit quite a decent fuel economy which lies somewhere between 7km ~ 8km per liter.