by New Nissan chief talks about the future of the brand’s sports cars
Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa stated that the company plans to expand its range of sports models, but there are no specific plans yet for the return of legendary nameplates. He emphasized that if Nissan decides to create an affordable sports car, it should be a true coupe, not just a “sharp version” of a regular sedan, hinting at the possibility of reviving the Silvia model.
Espinosa made his position clear during a speech in Japan. He noted that sports cars are the foundation of Nissan’s identity and promised that new models of this class will appear in the brand’s portfolio in the future. However, he immediately clarified that this is not a confirmation of a specific Silvia project.
Instead of making a “sharp version” of the Sentra, I would probably go and make a Silvia — a true affordable sports car.
The need for an affordable sports car
The idea of creating a new affordable coupe is logical for Nissan. In past decades, it was models like the Silvia, 240SX, and others that made the brand popular among enthusiasts. Today, there is strong competition in the market from the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Subaru BRZ, and Toyota GR86, and Nissan offers nothing in this segment below the Z model.
The problem is that Nissan has been promising to pay attention to this market for more than a year, but no real steps have been taken so far. Even the current Z model, despite its advantages, is based on an architecture whose roots go back almost twenty years. Its price has also increased significantly, making it less affordable and competitive compared to newer counterparts.
Broader context and challenges for the brand
The CEO’s statement is important because Nissan’s problem is deeper than just the absence of one model. The legendary GT-R has ended production, leaving a significant gap in the brand’s image. The luxury division Infiniti, which once offered powerful models like the G35, has also almost completely moved away from the sports theme. Currently, both brands together offer only one true sports model — the Nissan Z.
Espinosa also hinted at the possibility of reviving several legendary nameplates, giving some hope to enthusiasts. He demonstrates a deep understanding of the brand’s history and DNA, and his team seems to share this view.
However, until Nissan presents a real, lightweight, and affordable coupe in dealerships, not just on presentation slides, fans of the brand should remain cautiously optimistic. The history of recent years shows that there can be a significant distance between management statements and real products. The success of such initiatives will depend on the company’s ability to invest in new platforms and technologies to create modern cars worthy of their heritage, not just update old designs. Competition in the affordable sports car market remains high, and delay could cost Nissan the opportunity to regain a leading position in this segment.
