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Nissan's new 200SX sports coupe, already hailed as one of Japan's best-looking cars, is now on-sale in Australia.
Powered by a turbocharged (with inrercooler) version of Nissan's SR2O DOHC 2.0-litre four cylinder engine, the 200SX drives the rear wheels — like all serious sports cars — through either a new six-speed manual gearbox or optional four-speed electronic automatic transmission.
Maximum power is 147kW at 6500rpm and peak torque of 265 Nm is at 4800rpm.
Manual versions of the new 2005X feature the helical limited slip differential as fitted to Nissan's hallowed Skyline GT-R coupe.
Front suspension is independent MacPherson struts, coil springs and an anti-roll bar. At the rear, Nissan's praised multi-link design is featured with coil springs and an anti-roll bar.
Four bolt-in race-bred body stiffening braces, revised suspension settings and standard ABS with Braking Assist ensure the new 2005X delivers exhilarating handling to match its straight line performance.
Safety is enhanced with dual SRS airbags and double anti-intrusion beams in both doors.
Inside, new seats provide extra support while titanium-look gauges and trim finishes further enhance the sporting appeal of the new 2005X.
While the wheelbase is the same as its predecessor (25 25mm), the new 2005X is 75mm shorter at 4445mm and 10mm lower at 1285mm.
However it is the sensational new exterior look of the 2005X which is sure to set tongues wagging in Australia as it did when the car was first unveiled in Japan.
While the previous model's styling was conservative, the new 2005X can best be described as tenacious with a low, slanted nose and beautiful curved wrap-around rear fenders. Two side character lines accentuate the overall wedge shape.
Meaty five-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels fitted with 205/55 R16 tyres complete a purposeful look which leaves no doubt the new 2005X is a serious sports car.
There are two models in the 2005X lineup — S and R. Top-spec R models are externally distinguished by a bootlid spoiler, side skirts and an electric sunroof.
Five exterior colours are available, including Pewter, Flame Red, Black Obsidian, Brilliant Blue and Aspen White..
Nissan will announce pricing for the new 2005X range just prior to launch but has vowed to continue the company's policy of class-leading value.
Nissan Australia's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Leon Daphne, said "Nissan's history in all major world markets includes success with a variety of different sports car models dating back to the Fairlady and later the original 240Z. Of course here in Australia, the launch of Nissan's first 2005X came after we had enjoyed cars such as the various Z-car models and the honour to be the first export market for the Skyline GT-R coupe.
"I am sure the new 2005X with its attractive new styling, enhanced features and remarkable performance will be another successful member of Nissan's sports car family," Mr Daphne added.
According to Nissan Australia's Director of Sales and Marketing, Mr Paul Stead, the new 2005X joins a stable of hot-selling Nissan vehicles.
"Nissan dealers throughout Australia have been enjoying strong sales right across our range including passenger and commercial vehicles," Mr Stead said. "Introduction of the new 2005X with improved features and very competitive pricing is in line with our actions right across the brand."
Nissan Australia's Marketing Manager for Passenger Vehicles, Mr Philip Brook, revealed enquiry for the new 2005X has been strong since the new model was introduced in Japan.
"The 2005X is one of a handful of Japanese sports cars which have a real cult following and Nissan dealers and our customer assistance team have been answering enquiries almost daily since the new model was revealed in Japan," Mr Brook explained.
Styling
Stylists at the Nissan Technical Centre in Atsugi, Japan responsible for the startling new looks of the 2005X wanted to create a sports car which emphasised 'speed and beauty'.
They achieved their goal with an overall wedge shape highlighted by a low, sloping bonnet and front grille, flowing cabin form, forward raked rear pillars and the gorgeous curved sheetmetal work around the rear fenders.
The thin-looking complex surface reflector and projector beam headlights convey a bold expression with the lamps, sporting a mechanical design treatment positioned inside a transparent outer lens.
Designed to appear integrated with the bonnet, the new 2005X features a front bumper incorporating large air intakes for the engine — these also convey a sports car look.
Unique surface composition of the side panel sheermetal highlights the sporty wedge shape of the 2005X and is enhanced by two character lines.
But it is the strong outward projection rendered by the rear fender design which has been the centre of much praise since the new 2005X was introduced in Japan.The design is chiselled and tenacious, suggesting real sports car performance.
The sheetmetal of the rear fenders wraps around towards the boot creating a low, wide rear view which is enhanced by the three-dimensional look of the tailights.
'Pure Sports Car' is the three-word styling summary of the new Nissan 2005X.
Five exterior colours — Pewter, Flame Red, Black Obsidian, Brilliant Blue and Aspen White — compliment the sensational new looks of Nissan's turbo sports machine.
Interior
Nissan's new 2005X features a simple, classic sports car dashboard with soft sensation upper surfaces and a hard titanium-metallic look in the lower half.
Five round ventilation ducts with fully closing louvres further convey the classic sports car look.
Naturally, the large tachometer is mounted centrally to enhance the sports car drivers feel. The silver-faced instruments feature a speed-look lettering font and their orange reflective lighting is both spectacular to look at and easy to read.
Nissan engineers worked hard to deliver improved dynamics for drivers of the new 2005X. In addition to more supportive sports-look seats, the angle of the accelerator pedal has been altered to facilitate easier foot movements and the gates for third through sixth gears have been moved closer to the driver.
The gearshift lever is finished in leather and carries on the titanium look. Seats are covered in a good-looking jersey fabric combining a sporty black look with the titanium- metallic theme.
Drivetrain
The 2005X features Nissan's high performance SR2ODET turbocharged DOHC 2.0-litre four cylinder engine as its powerplant.
Using Nissan's 'Linear Charge' turbocharger with intercooler, this engine delivers 147kW of power at 6400rpm and 265Nm of torque at 4800 rpm.
The 'Linear Charge' concept combines a tuned turbocharger characteristic and computer-controlled boost pressure level to deliver smooth, consistent power and torque delivery in each gear.
This enhanced driveability is achieved by adopting a small turbocharger inlet which delivers higher compression for fast torque delivery and instant throttle response even from low engine speeds.
Nissan has adopted a relatively large turbocharger compressor mated to a computer- controlled wastegate which accurately maintains optimum boost at high engine speeds for excellent top-end power.
Wastegate control can be cycled for on and off in just 51 milliseconds — providing a linear response between throttle application and engine output. Maximum boost is 73Kpa.
The 2005X also features NVCS — Nissan's variable valve timing control system which ensures excellent engine performance at both low and high engine speeds.
NDIS is standard — the Nissan Direct Ignition System which dispenses with the distributor and high tension leads of conventional electrical systems, replacing them with a compact transistorised ignition coil on top of each spark plug — the independent coil sends current direct to the plug for maximum efficiency.
Making its debut on this 2005X model is a dual mass flywheel and a clutch with no hydraulic damper which produces a clamping force of 63 5kg, ensuring less power loss than a conventional clutch with hydraulic dampers.
The new six-speed manual transmission is a close ratio gearbox with sixth gear being an overdrive. Triple cone synchronisers on first, second and third gears ensure smooth changes while second through fourth gears feature asymmetric chamfered gears for a positive change every time.
Also new in 2005X models fitted with the six-speed manual gearbox is a Helical Limited Slip Differential (the same type as fitted to Nissan's latest model 'V' Spec Skyline GT-R coupe).
The Helical LSD provides faster traction control under acceleration than a conventional clutch-type LSD and without relying on the performance of the Viscous Coupling oil as used in a Viscous LSD.
Basically, the Helical LSD generates torque to both left and right rear wheels by frictional force between the gear teeth and the differential case.
lf one wheel loses traction and tries to spin, that axle's side gear rotates slightly faster, so transmitting the lost torque through the helical gears and back to the differential case. The engine torque is also applied to the same part of the case through the final gear so it in turn drives the road wheel through its side gear.
The friction created through the gear reduction of the helical gears and the gears sliding on the case prevents slipping of the side gears, so wheelspin is controlled.
New 2005X models fitted with the four-speed electronic automatic transmission continue with a Viscous LSD.
Braking performance has been enhanced with the Australian debut of Nissan's 'Brake Assist' which delivers enhanced pedal pressure for extra stopping power.
In today's cars the force a driver generates at the brake pedal is not enough to stop a vehicle in hard braking conditions. To assist the driver in these conditions, a brake booster is used to multiply the pedal force and ensure a proportionally higher force is applied to the master cylinder than is directly applied to the brake pedal.
Conventional brake boosters operate on the principal that the harder the pedal is pushed, the higher the force applied to the master cylinder. Drivers with a lower leg strength may not be able to apply the brake pedal to the maximum effect in hard braking conditions and may over-apply the brake. causing wheel lock-up.
Nissan's new 2005X uses a brake booster with an inbuilt two-step system called Brake Assist. The Brake Assist booster operates in the same way as a conventional booster until the brake pedal force reaches the ratio change point, when the booster characteristics change to provide a different proportional brake -pedal- to-booster output.
The new 2005X has four-piston callipers and a larger dual diaphragm booster with a light weight actuator and controller. Pedal feel is stiffer for more confident braking.
ABS is standard on both 2005X models.
Chassis
Significantly improved chassis and body stiffness, firmer suspension and enhanced steering feel highlight improvements to the new 2005X over its predecessor. These efforts underscore Nissan's positioning of the 2005X as a real sports car.
As well as the downsizing of the body dimensions, body stiffness has been augmented largely by strengthening the upper member of the bonnet ledge and adding reinforcement to the rear pillars.
All 2005X models sold in Australia adopt a 'sports-tuned body' which includes strut reinforcement bars under the bonnet for the front struts and in the boot for the rear struts. The rear also gets underfoot stays, another crossbar behind the bumper and the steel plate is thicker in the floor panel extension.
Suspension has similarly been tightened. The rear spring rate has increased to 2.4 kg/mm and the shock absorber rebound has markedly increased — the front from 43kg to 64kg and the rear has more than doubled from 35kg to 75kg. Both front and rear anti-roll bars have increased diameter and thickness.
New wheels are 6.5JJ X16 alloy with no external flange — all balance weights are fitted to the inside of the wheels improving their appearance.
Power assistance to the steering has been reduced for enhanced steering feel.
Front suspension is the proven combination of MacPherson struts with transverse tower links, torsion rods and anti-roll bar.
For the rear, Nissan has continued its praised multi-link system as fitted to the Skyline GT-R.
With wide-based diagonal A-arms utilising lateral links below and twin convergent links above, the 2005X delivers impressive and predictable road-holding and handling. The links are arranged to induce anti-dive/anti-squat geometry for maximum tyre effectiveness under braking and acceleration.
Fluid-filled suspension bushes are used to aid noise suppression.
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