Nissan Silvia S13 (S13, PS13, KS13, KPS13)
Popular colour options:
Specifications
- Make
- Nissan
- Model
- Silvia S13
- Chassis Code
- S13, PS13, KS13, KPS13
- Year Range
- 05/1988-10/1993
- Category
- Performance
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Fuel Type
- Petrol
- Transmission
- Manual, Automatic
- Engine
- SR20DET 2.0L Turbo I4
- Eligible For Import Under
- 25 years or older classic car scheme *
* Import eligibility disclaimer: eligibility shown is general information only, is not guaranteed, and is determined solely by the Australian Government and subject to change without notice - please confirm current eligibility for this vehicle with the Fukasawa Car Imports team before purchasing. Nothing here excludes any right that can't lawfully be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law.
Image disclaimer: photos shown are for illustration only and do not depict the actual vehicle you will receive. Images may be sourced from Japanese auction listings and edited, including AI-assisted retouching, for clarity - actual condition, colour, trim and equipment will vary by vehicle and are confirmed only once a specific car is sourced on your behalf. Nothing here excludes any right that can't lawfully be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law.
Gallery
About Nissan Silvia S13:
Nissan Silvia S13 (S13, KS13, PS13 and KPS13)
The Nissan Silvia S13 is a compact rear-wheel-drive coupe with flowing late-1980s styling and a lasting place in Japanese car culture. For Australian buyers importing from Japan, it offers plenty of choice: early 1.8-litre or later 2.0-litre engines, naturally aspirated or turbocharged performance, and five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions.
The first Silvias used Nissan’s 1.8-litre CA18 four-cylinder. The naturally aspirated CA18DE was rated at 135 PS, while the turbocharged CA18DET produced 175 PS. A 1991 update brought the 2.0-litre SR20, with 140 PS from the naturally aspirated SR20DE and 205 PS from the turbocharged SR20DET.
Chassis codes to know
S13 — An early CA18-powered Silvia without HICAS rear steering.
KS13 — An early CA18-powered Silvia fitted with HICAS-II rear steering.
PS13 — A later SR20-powered Silvia without Super HICAS rear steering.
KPS13 — A later SR20-powered Silvia fitted with Super HICAS rear steering.
The additional K at the beginning of a chassis code identifies the rear-steering version. Both engine generations included naturally aspirated and turbocharged cars.
Variants to know
J’s — The simpler naturally aspirated Silvia, offering the S13’s distinctive shape and rear-wheel-drive layout.
Q’s — A more extensively equipped naturally aspirated model, powered by the CA18DE in early cars and the SR20DE in later cars.
K’s — The turbocharged model, with the CA18DET in early cars and the SR20DET after the 1991 update.
Naturally aspirated J’s and Q’s remain strong choices for P-platers looking to import a Silvia from Japan where the particular car is eligible under their state’s rules. Buyers should check its original specification and any modifications before purchase. Manual examples are especially sought after, while automatic cars offer another way to enjoy an original S13.
The related 180SX fastback has a separate Fukasawa Car Imports catalogue entry. Later 2.0-litre 180SX models use the RPS13 chassis code; the Silvia coupes described here use the codes listed above.
With its memorable styling, choice of engines and transmissions, and engaging rear-wheel-drive layout, the Nissan Silvia S13 remains one of the most popular Japanese cars to import into Australia.