AWD!!!
http://www.7tune.com/silvia_001.html
It may come as a surprise as to why Nissan would choose a 4WD platform to replace the RWD S-series Silvia’s which are immensely popular amongst the younger car enthusiasts, who use these cars extensively for ‘drifting’, which is experiencing a worldwide boom right now.
The Nissan 240SX was popular in the USA while it was on sale there (and has regained popularity due to the D1 Drifting events held in California) and the 240SX name could very well be revived to cash in on Nissan’s increasing cult status there. But FR platforms are very costly to develop and build so in order to maintain driver satisfaction, a front wheel drive based 4WD platform is the best compromise to keep costs down and ensure the all important driver satisfaction… even though most buyers will want a rear wheel drive platform. I guess you could say that the new Silvia is ‘name only’, and that it will have more in common with upcoming Honda Civic SR coupe concept than Silvia’s of old.
Nissan also feel justified in developing a 4 cylinder 4WD turbo as the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Subaru Impreza STi are very popular among young Americans, so Nissan want to push more into this market. Needless to say the next Silvia will also be sold in Japan, where Nissan’s profile is still high due to Carlos Ghson, so to further increase Nissan’s already high profile revival of the Silvia is near the top of the agenda… just after the Nissan/Infiniti GT-R.[/QUOTE]