Performance Review: Nissan 200SX S14a 2.0T - [1996]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Nissan 200SX Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Nissan 200SX S14a 2.0T is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1996. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1 4.7l V12.This particular Nissan 200SX 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 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 1267 kgs (2793 lbs) this makes the Nissan 200SX S14a 2.0T in the same weight category as the 2023 McLaren 750S 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 1998cc 16V St4 engine produces 197 bhp (146 kW) @ 6400 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 195 lb-ft (264.3 Nm) @ 4800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 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 1957 Mercedes 300 SL II Roadster W198 (180.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Nissan 200SX.

The Nissan 200SX has a Power to weight ratio of 155.4 bhp per ton and 153.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1996 200SX competing with the 1957 Mercedes 300 SL II Roadster W198 (180.4 bhp per ton) or the 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk 5.8L V8 352 (180.4 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 153.9 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 1978 Ford Mustang 2 King Cobra (178.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1966 Ferrari 365 California 4.4 V12 (178.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.5 secs, this made the Nissan 200SX S14a 2.0T as fast as the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (7.30 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR (7.30 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps (7.30 secs) the or the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD DSG 2.0 Turbo Diesel (7.30 secs). This Nissan 200SX S14a 2.0T is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue (7.40 secs) the 2013 KIA Pro Ceed GT 1.6 Turbo (7.40 secs) the 2012 Mini Cooper S Paceman (7.40 secs) the and the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (7.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 200SX and the 2004 Alfa-Romeo GT 3.2 V6 Lusso

When talking about the performance of the Nissan 200SX on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.24 secs @ 89.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2004 Alfa-Romeo GT 3.2 V6 Lusso (15.17 secs), the 1976 Ferrari 400 GTS (15.17 secs), and the 2019 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo (15.17 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1996 version of the Nissan 200SX S14a 2.0T has a maximum speed of 142mph.

Top Speed of the 1996 200SX equals the 2014 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (153 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1996 Nissan 200SX S14a 2.0T then how about the 2014 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (153 mph), the 2004 BMW X5 4.8is V8 (153 mph), or the 2002 Dodge Neon 2.4 SRT-4 (153 mph).

Related Links:

1996 200SX Rivals List.

A Brief History of Nissan

Car Comparison