Just sharing here. I've been interested in knowing what exactly is going on in regards to to how the Nissan S-series cars are named. You've probably read this before in bits and pieces, but I haven't found a really in-depth explaination. So I here's what I've got.
In Japan Nissan released two cars using the same chassis (S13): they were known as the Silvia and the 180SX. The Silvia chassis later evolved (S14, S15), while the 180SX used the same chassis (S13) up until the end of its production. They were very similar cars, with the Silvia being a coupe or sedan, the 180SX being a fastback with flip-up lights. Both used a 1.8L, then 2.0L engine, either naturally aspirated or turbo depending on the model.
In the US a similar car built on a similar chassis (S14?) was released. As far as I know it was available as a coupe, sedan, or fastback, but overall closely resembled the Silvia (no flip-up lights). And the car always came with a naturally aspirated 2.4L engine.
The confusion in the game in regards to car names stems from the botched localization. As far as I have seen the American 240SX does not actually exist in the game, but certain cars are branded as a 240SX because they match the time period for when that car was available.
You'll notice that the S13 Silvias are correctly named (Silvia K's Aero for instance), as are the S15 Silvias (Silvia Spec R Aero). This is also consistant in GT2, and I think in GT3. This is because an equivalent did not exist in the US (though as I mention above, there was never really an exact equivalent between Japanese and US models).
The 180SX (S13) and the S14 Silvia are the problems. The models used in the game have production dates that fit into the mid 90's timeframe, so evidently PD thought they should call them 240's. Dumb idea. As an example, GT2 calls the 180SX a 240SX Fastback, and, even more foolishly, the S14 Silvias as 240SX Q's or K's. But it is GT4 that makes the biggest blunder, which is also the source of the most confusion.
From what I've seen, GT4 does list the S14 Silvia Q's Aero ('96) correctly. Great! But then we have two cars listed as '240SX (S14)' and '240SX' (both 1996). Not so brilliant.
If we go back to the Japanese version of the game, we can confirm that there are two S14 Silvias (Q's and K's, both Aero) and a 180SX Fastback, all from 1996. It turns out that those last two are those mysteriously named 240's. The '240SX (S14)' is the S14 Silvia, the '240SX' is the 180SX Fastback (which of course is always an S13).
There are games out there that have the true American 240SX (I think NFS:U is one of them), but the Gran Turismo franchise doesn't have 'em. So really they should have dropped the 240SX moniker, and stuck with the accurate Silvia / 180SX.
Let me know if I missed something.
In Japan Nissan released two cars using the same chassis (S13): they were known as the Silvia and the 180SX. The Silvia chassis later evolved (S14, S15), while the 180SX used the same chassis (S13) up until the end of its production. They were very similar cars, with the Silvia being a coupe or sedan, the 180SX being a fastback with flip-up lights. Both used a 1.8L, then 2.0L engine, either naturally aspirated or turbo depending on the model.
In the US a similar car built on a similar chassis (S14?) was released. As far as I know it was available as a coupe, sedan, or fastback, but overall closely resembled the Silvia (no flip-up lights). And the car always came with a naturally aspirated 2.4L engine.
The confusion in the game in regards to car names stems from the botched localization. As far as I have seen the American 240SX does not actually exist in the game, but certain cars are branded as a 240SX because they match the time period for when that car was available.
You'll notice that the S13 Silvias are correctly named (Silvia K's Aero for instance), as are the S15 Silvias (Silvia Spec R Aero). This is also consistant in GT2, and I think in GT3. This is because an equivalent did not exist in the US (though as I mention above, there was never really an exact equivalent between Japanese and US models).
The 180SX (S13) and the S14 Silvia are the problems. The models used in the game have production dates that fit into the mid 90's timeframe, so evidently PD thought they should call them 240's. Dumb idea. As an example, GT2 calls the 180SX a 240SX Fastback, and, even more foolishly, the S14 Silvias as 240SX Q's or K's. But it is GT4 that makes the biggest blunder, which is also the source of the most confusion.
From what I've seen, GT4 does list the S14 Silvia Q's Aero ('96) correctly. Great! But then we have two cars listed as '240SX (S14)' and '240SX' (both 1996). Not so brilliant.
If we go back to the Japanese version of the game, we can confirm that there are two S14 Silvias (Q's and K's, both Aero) and a 180SX Fastback, all from 1996. It turns out that those last two are those mysteriously named 240's. The '240SX (S14)' is the S14 Silvia, the '240SX' is the 180SX Fastback (which of course is always an S13).
There are games out there that have the true American 240SX (I think NFS:U is one of them), but the Gran Turismo franchise doesn't have 'em. So really they should have dropped the 240SX moniker, and stuck with the accurate Silvia / 180SX.
Let me know if I missed something.
