In early September of 2007, it was confirmed by a few unnamed Japanese magazines that Nissan is planning a new 4-cylinder, rear-wheel-drive, turbo sports coupe. Evidence of this confirmed report has been popping up all over the web with photos of what appears to be a test mule FM chassis that has been heavily chopped down and welded back together. The test mule FM chassis has been shortened quite a bit from a normal 350Z and resembles what appears to be a much smaller hatchback hybrid (this can be seen in the images on the doors, roofline, front bumper and bonnet).

It is speculated that with the GTR being re-released into the market all over the world, with the absence of the Silvia for so long, and the run away success of Nissan's FM chassis (the 350Z and G35/G37 and upcoming GTR) that the market place is ready once again for an affordable, turbo, rear drive sports car.

The new iteration of the Silvia is rumored to be priced in a very affordable range of 21,000 to 23,000 USD and will be available as soon as 2010.

Nissan has neither confirmed nor denied any of the above claims, however, in 2003 and 2004, during a few key Nissan press conferences, Carlos Gohsn was asked about the Silvia in Japan, Australia and even the US. His response to the "Silvia" question was simply "It is a good time to be a Nissan fan. Keep your eyes and ears open around the time the new GTR is being released as you may find a surprise."

The release schedule is in 2010 and price range should be around $17,000 to $21,000. The platform could be from the new Z. To keep this price range, the engine is said that it can come from Renault in France, Nissan's parent company.
A Silvia with a Frenchy engine? Hmm, not quite sure now if the French can make an engine to match up the SR20DET? But hold on, the Renault Megane sport is packed with a turbo charged 2.0-litre motor that produces 225 bhp, allowing the car to achieve 0-100km/h in 6.5 s (0-60 mph in 6.3 s), with a top speed of about 240 km/h (150 mph). Maybe a cool affordable FR coupe in the making here...Look out for the S16 Silivia!