Performance Review: Nissan 200SX S13 1.8T - [1988]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Nissan 200SX Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Nissan 200SX S13 1.8T is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1988. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo and the 1989 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10.This particular Nissan 200SX has a 1809cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

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

The 200SX 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 200SX'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 1185 kgs (2612 lbs) this makes the Nissan 200SX S13 1.8T in the same weight category as the 2018 McLaren Senna 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Nissan 200SX shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 1809cc 16V St4 engine produces 171 bhp (127 kW) @ 6400 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 168 lb-ft (227.7 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Nissan 200SX you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (169.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Nissan 200SX.

The Nissan 200SX has a Power to weight ratio of 144.3 bhp per ton and 141.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1988 200SX competing with the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (169.3 bhp per ton) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (169.3 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 200SX generating around 141.7 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 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (166.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Porsche Panamera 3.6 V6 (166.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.1 secs, this made the Nissan 200SX S13 1.8T as fast as the 2015 Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Coupe (6.90 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 V6 Supercharged (6.90 secs) the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.90 secs) the or the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (6.90 secs). This Nissan 200SX S13 1.8T is also faster than the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs) the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (7.00 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (7.00 secs) the and the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 200SX and the 1972 Lamborghini Urraco 2.5L V8 P250

When talking about the performance of the Nissan 200SX on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.65 secs @ 87.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1972 Lamborghini Urraco 2.5L V8 P250 (15.57 secs), the 1960 Dodge Dart Phoenix 5.9 V8 360 Hardtop (15.57 secs), and the 2002 Renault Megane 2.0 T Renaultsport Trophy 225 (15.58 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1988 version of the Nissan 200SX S13 1.8T has a maximum speed of 140mph.

Top Speed of the 1988 200SX equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1988 Nissan 200SX S13 1.8T then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph), the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (151 mph), or the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Edition 30 DSG (151 mph).

Related Links:

1988 200SX Rivals List.

A Brief History of Nissan

Car Comparison