Mod Max Wasn't A Silvia

I’ll get right to the point. MCM’s “Mod Max” was not a Silvia, but it was an S15. Mod Max was in fact an Australian-delivered Nissan 200SX GT. I want to make clear from the beginning that this isn’t a criticism, just an observation. I’m going to list a few things that can tell us that Mod Max wasn’t a JDM import Silvia.

What is the 200SX GT?

Nissan only sold the S15 officially in three countries - in Japan as the “Silvia”, and in New Zealand and Australia as the “200SX”. The 200SX GT was, I guess you could say, a special edition for the last few models produced. The 200SX GT was an AUDM 200SX with the JDM Aero bodykit and a few extra goodies like leather seats and sports pedals. To differentiate it as a higher spec from other AUDM S15s, it featured a GT badge leftover from Skyline production slapped on the front guards.

What’s the difference?

The Australian models (though not the New Zealand models) of the S15 are de-tuned from the Japanese specs, most likely to lower the price point to be more competitive and possibly so it could be ran on 95-RON (which used to be Australia’s premium fuel) rather than 98-RON. They use a different exhaust system, and the turbo is a journal-bearing rather than ball-bearing T28; however the drivetrain and engine itself - with injectors and engine internals, are apparently identical - meaning with a highly tuned S15 it doesn’t matter what country it was made for, the result will be the same. The other noteworthy difference between the two (unlike New Zealand) is that the non-turbo S15 wasn’t sold in Australia. Both the Spec-S and Spec-R varieties feature the same drivetrain, chassis and engine as the Spec-R variant, with differences between the two being luxury features. All Spec-R S15s in Australia came with electric sunroofs, whereas in Japan it was an optional extra irregardless of trim.

How can I tell Mod Max was a 200SX? Here are a few observations:

Lack of rear windcreen wiper

AUDM and NZDM S15s don’t have rear windscreen wipers, perhaps a cost cutting measure and also reportedly altered to accommodate the different radio aerial design. A lot of 200SXs will be rebadged as Silvias for that extra JDM street cred (be aware if you’re ever buying an S15), but the rear windscreen stays the same.

The 260KM/H Speedometer

Unlike Japan, New Zealand and Australia don’t have restrictions on the maximum speed displayed on the speedometer. S15s imported from Japan (unless changed over to an aftermarket Nismo speedo or perhaps to an ADM one - which should be possible) will have a speedometer that reads up to 180 KM/H.

The steering wheel design

JDM S15s feature the lighting bolt style badge (like on the JDM bonnet) on the steering wheel and gearknob, whereas the AUDM and NZDM S15s use a simple Nissan logo embossed on the horn.

The lack of boost gauge

AUDM S15s did not have the boost gauge on the pillar like the ones in New Zealand and Japan. Possibly done to reduce the price point, to appeal more to real-estate agents and responsible business men or simply due to design regulations.

The climate control module

JDM Spec-R S15s have an automatic climate control module, whereas the Australian models only have manual controls.

Why does it still have "Silvia" badges then?

Long story short, Nissan is lazy. The Silvia badge is actually moulded on the dash, not glued or clipped there, and they obviously didn’t want to make a new component just for the Australia market (where they probably didn’t realize they were going to sell it when they started production). All 200SXs in Australia (and probably New Zealand) have the Silvia badge on the dash. The other place you can find “Silvia” is behind the clear protector on the side of the headlights.

Why wouldn't they know that then? Why did they call it a Silvia then?

They probably did know. Moog himself has owned a JDM S15 and with all the people working on that project at least one of them had to have noticed. The differences between the AUDM and JDM S15s are known in Australia, which is why people still import the JDM models. My guess is that they wanted to appeal more to an international audience who are far more aware of the JDM Silvia than they are of its Australian-delivered counterart, Mad-Max Silvia sounds way more interesting than Mad-Max 200SX. A lot of people who have 200SXs in Australia will call them Silvias for that extra street-cred or whatever they’re going for.

If ever you find yourself watching an S15 video from Australia or perhaps New Zealand, with this knowledge you can tell a little more about the car if you really want to. When it comes to S15s in Australia, nearly all of them will have aftermarket exhausts and many of them will have aftermarket turbos. So differences between the two are superficial, no matter what badge it has on the boot lid, you’re getting a good car.