Nature abhors a vacuum. that's what the 1993 demise of the NX sport coupes created in
Nissan's lineup vacancy that was only partially filled by the Sentra SE-R coupe. And that, too, has disappeared. When the all new, redesigned 1995 Sentra lineup was announced in late 1994, there was no longer a coupe version.
But not for long. In place of the defunct Sentra coupe is a new family of Nissan coupes, separated in name from the all new Sentra sedans, though they're the same size and share most of the same mechanical components.
A spunky competitor of the Honda Civic, Plymouth Neon and Saturn coupes, the Nissan 200SX is a smooth addition to the reasonably priced fun-car market and may even replace the pricier 240SX before long.
There are three different models: the base level 200SX, the well-equipped 200SX SE and the sporty 200SX SE-R. The base 200SX is a no-frills car with 13-in. wheels; the 200SX SE is the mid-grade model with 14-in. alloy wheels; and the 200SX SE-R is racier, with handsome 15-in. aluminum wheels and a little wing on the back. The latter was our test model, which was priced just over $15,500 complete with a peppy 2.0-liter engine, anti-lock brakes (ABS), air conditioning and cruise control.
Like the all new Sentra sedan, the 200SX has a much more organic shape than the previous Sentra coupe collection of soft curves and rounded corners that has dash without resorting to flashiness.
Similarity to the Sentra isn't surprising because the two cars are the same from the windshield forward, with a gently sloping hoodline that slides down to flush headlights, a body-colored bumper and a spoiler just beneath.
From the windshield back, though, the skin is unique to the 200SX, culminating in a slightly elevated rear end that gives the car a hint of the wedge shape associated with contemporary sport coupes.
The 200SX is a fraction of an inch shorter than the old Sentra coupe, but its wheelbase is 4 in. longer. Nissan engineers say this is due, in part, to a new rear suspension system, which is more compact in design and also less costly to produce. Nissan first introduced the system on the Maxima in mid-1994, and it's also used in the +95 Sentra sedan.
The base 200SX and the SE have the same engine as the +95 Sentra: a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder that's been re-engineered for a little more power. The 200SX SE-R uses the same 2.0-liter engine that was offered in the Sentra SE-R coupe. With 140 hp, it's one of the most powerful engines available in this class. Only the Chevrolet Cavalier Z24, Pontiac Sunfire GT and Neon coupe have more zip.
All 200SX models come with a 5-speed manual transmission as standard equipment, and all offer the option of a 4-speed automatic.
