Nissan EXA#N13
{{More citations needed|date=November 2018}}
The Nissan Pulsar EXA and Nissan EXA are automobiles manufactured and marketed by Nissan Motor Company from 1983 to 1986 and from 1986 to 1990 respectively. The first generation model was internally designated as the N12 series and was marketed in Japan at Nissan Cherry Store locations as the Pulsar EXA. The second generation EXA was designated as the N13 series.
Both generations were marketed in North America under the name Nissan Pulsar NX.
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{{anchor|N12|1982}}
{{anchor|N12|1982}} Nissan Pulsar EXA (N12; 1982–1986)
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Nissan Pulsar EXA (N12)
| image = 1983 Nissan Pulsar N12 EXA Coupe (cropped).jpg
| caption = Nissan Pulsar EXA Turbo (Australia)
| aka = {{ubl
| Nissan Pulsar NX (USA)
| Nissan Langley EXA (ZA)
}}
| production = 1982–1986
| assembly = Japan
| body_style = 2-door coupé
2-door convertible
| layout = Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
| related = Nissan Sunny (B11)
Nissan Pulsar (N12)
| engine = {{ubl
| 1488 cc E15S/E I4
| 1597 cc E16S I4
}}
| wheelbase = {{cvt|2415|mm|in|1}}
| length = {{cvt|4125|mm|in|1}}
| width = {{cvt|1620|mm|in|1}}
| height = {{cvt|1355|mm|in|1}}
| weight = {{cvt|795-885|kg|lb|0}}
}}
The Pulsar EXA followed a successful strategy Nissan used in Japan of offering the economical Nissan Sunny in an affordable, youth-oriented two-door coupé, demonstrated by the Nissan Sunny fastback coupé, which had been offered since the Sunny's introduction in 1966. As the Pulsar was a companion to the Nissan Sunny, but offered at a different Japanese Nissan dealership called Nissan Cherry Store, the Pulsar EXA mirrored the tradition of the Sunny Coupé. The Pulsar/Cherry line was originally developed by Prince Motor Company previous to the 1966 merger of the two companies; by the early 1980s Prince still maintained a separate design center in Ogikubo, Tokyo and this is where the Pulsar EXA was developed.{{cite magazine | title = Nissan Pulsar NX | first = Jim | last = Hall | date = November 1982 | ref = JH82 | pages = 37–38 | magazine = Motor Trend | publisher = Petersen Publishing Co. | volume = 34 | number = 11 }} It was available from 1982 to 1986 and came with several of the engines also seen in the regular Pulsars. The Pulsar EXA was known in North America as the Pulsar NX and shared many of its parts with the Nissan Sentra.
The car's shape was determined using computer-aided design (CAD), with the body engineers working closely with the designers.Hall, p. 39 The design brief was to make a distinctive, aerodynamic shape while utilizing as many standard Pulsar and Sunny components as possible.Hall, p. 41 Early iterations featured a large, glass "bubble-back" rear end similar to the Renault Fuego, but since the contemporary Sunny/Sentra Coupé was to be a fastback, the Pulsar EXA was changed to a notchback profile with a near perpendicular rear windshield to set the two cars apart in the marketplace. The car's peculiar upright styling is also partially due to the decision to use the regular Pulsar's rather tall windshield and cowl.{{cite magazine | magazine = Wheels | title = Earthbound ET | first = Peter | last = Robinson | page = 34 | date = June 1984 | publisher = Murray Publishers | location = Sydney, Australia }} Instead of using the oval-themed dashboard from the Pulsar hatchback or sedan, the EXA/NX received a more angular design also used for the Pulsar's sister cars the Langley and the Liberta Villa.
When first introduced to the Japanese market in April 1982, the Pulsar EXA received two versions of the E15 engine, either carburetted or fuel injected. In May 1983 the turbocharged E15ET engine was introduced, producing {{convert|115|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}} at 5600 rpm. The same spec was used on cars exported to Singapore, where the top speed was listed as {{convert|185|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} with a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 8.8 seconds.{{cite journal |language=en |url= http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Page/straitstimes19831225-1.1.46 |title= Turbo delights | last = Lee | first = Winston | location = Singapore | journal = Straits Times | page = 10 | date = 1983-12-25 |access-date=9 April 2020 }} At this time, a door mirror became standard on the EXA rather than the traditional fender-mounted unit.{{citation | ref = JAMA30 | title = 自動車ガイドブック | trans-title = Japanese Motor Vehicles Guide Book 1983-84 | language = ja | volume = 30 | date = 1983-10-28 | publisher = Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association | location = Japan | page = 158 | id = 0053-830030-3400 }} Fender-mounted mirrors had been required by law until March 1983 and the Pulsar EXA was the first Japanese car to be equipped with door-mounted mirrors in the domestic market.{{cite web | url = https://www.carsensor.net/contents/editor/category_849/_28636.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190522085616/https://www.carsensor.net/contents/editor/category_849/_28636.html | archive-date = 2019-05-22 | title = 昔の日本車はサイドミラーがフェンダーに付いていた。その理由とは…… | trans-title = Old Japanese cars had side mirrors on the fenders. What is the reason... | language = ja | first = Mitsuru | last = Takahashi | date = 2015-03-23 | work = Carsensor.net | publisher = Recruit Marketing Partners Co., Ltd. }}
The Pulsar EXA convertible was a limited edition model released to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Nissan Cherry Japanese dealership chain, through which the Nissan Pulsar was marketed in Japan. It was launched in May 1985, and just 100 vehicles were made available for the whole of Japan. This version sports numerous special accessories, including a soft top made from a special insulating material to keep out the rain and heat, and a rear window made from organic glass to ensure high visibility.
=Export markets=
In North America, where it arrived for model year 1983, it received the carburetted, naturally aspirated E16S engine as also fitted to the Sentra. Not exactly a sporting proposition, the long-stroke E16S produces {{cvt|69|hp|kW PS|0}} at 5,200 rpm and was unwilling and noisy in the upper powerband. A fuel injected turbocharged E15ET engine was added later to give the car more sporting credentials. Transmission options were a 5-speed manual or a three-speed automatic (not available to the turbo).
In September 1983, Nissan Australia released the two-door Pulsar EXA coupé with the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. This model develops {{cvt|77|kW|PS hp|0}} at 6500 rpm.{{cite magazine | magazine = Wheels | title = Turbos for today | last = Murray | first = Bob | page = 83 | date = June 1984 | publisher = Murray Publishers | location = Sydney, Australia }}
In South Africa, this model was sold as the Langley EXA, as the sedan version of the Pulsar went by that name.{{cite web | url = https://www.changecars.co.za/blogs/what-went-wrong-nissan | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20250526033356/https://www.changecars.co.za/blogs/what-went-wrong-nissan | archivedate = 2025-05-26 | title = What went wrong?- Nissan | work = Changecars | first = Daantjie | last = Badenhorst | date = 2025-01-08 }} The Langley EXA was available with the 1.5-litre engine in South Africa as elsewhere, either turbocharged or naturally aspirated.
File:1985 Nissan Pulsar (N12) EXA Turbo coupe (2015-07-25) 02.jpg|Nissan Pulsar EXA Turbo (Australia)
File:Nissan Pulsar-EXA.JPG|Nissan Pulsar EXA convertible (Japan)
File:1986 Nissan Pulsar NX.JPG|US-market Nissan Pulsar NX
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{{anchor|N13|1986}}
Nissan EXA (N13; 1986–1990)
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Nissan EXA (N13)
| image = 1988-1991 Nissan EXA (N13) coupe (2011-11-08) 01.jpg
| caption = 1988–1990 Nissan EXA coupe (Australia)
| aka = Nissan Pulsar NX
| production = 1986–1990
| assembly = Japan
| designer = Koichiro Kawamura
| body_style = 3-door T-top coupé
| layout = Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
| engine = {{ubl
| 1597 cc GA16i SOHC I4
| 1809 cc CA18DE DOHC I4
}}
| transmission = 5-speed manual
4-speed automatic
| wheelbase = {{convert|2430|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|4230|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|1680|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|1295|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|1070|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}
| successor = Nissan NX (B14)
}}
Released in 1986, the N13 EXA was marketed in Japan as the Nissan EXA and in North America as the Nissan Pulsar NX. It was offered in only one bodystyle, but could be converted into a coupé, a targa, a cabriolet or a station wagon by removing or replacing panels.{{citation | first = Tony | last = Davis | title = The New Car Buyers Guide, 1990/91 | edition = 1st | date = 1990 | publisher = Universal Magazines | location = North Ryde, NSW, Australia | page = 89 }} It featured a "T-bar removable hatch roof" Nissan EXA (sales brochure), Nissan Motor Company (Australia) Pty. Ltd., April 1990 and could accommodate either of two distinct removable rear hatch designs, a coupé-style hatch door or a station wagon / shooting brake style canopy, marketed as the Sportbak. The EXA / Pulsar NX could also be driven without either rear hatch. The design was conceived largely at the Nissan Design International (now Nissan Design America) studios in San Diego, CA and shared styling cues (prominently, the rear side window angle) with the contemporary two-door Nissan Pathfinder/Terrano (WD21) SUV. The design was done under the direction of NDI President Jerry Hirshberg, Blue Studio Chief Designer Allan Flowers and Doug Wilson. The EXA / Pulsar NX featured the CA16DE engine.
In Australia, the Series 1 EXA (1986–1987) came with the CA16DE, vinyl rear seats, front vented disk with rear drum brakes, and power steering. The Series 2 EXA (1988–1989) featured the CA18DE and cloth rear seats. There were also two GP versions of the S2 EXA made. 45 white GP edition vehicles were specially made for the celebrity race at the Adelaide Grand Prix in 1988. They had all the features of the Series 2, but also had Pulsar SSS wheels, build numbers on a badge in the dash and a factory roll cage which was removed after the race. The 1989 GP featured all the same features of the Series 2 EXA. They also had the Pulsar SSS wheels, a more aggressive front bumper, and build numbers on a badge in the dash. All 200 of the 1989 GPs made were painted red. The Series 3 (1990–91) EXA added rear disc brakes, improved seats and optional power windows.
File:1990 Nissan EXA (N13 S2) coupe (2015-08-02).jpg
The North American Pulsar NX was offered in two trim levels: the XE (1.6-liter E16i in 1987–1988 and 1.6-liter GA16i in 1989–1990) and the twin-cam, SE (1.6-liter CA16DE in 1987 and 1.8-liter CA18DE in 1988–1990). The Nissan EXA Solaire was a luxury version of the base model that featured power windows, five-spoke alloy wheels, and a different front bumper. In 1991, Kodak had a competition for five fully optioned Series 3 Nissan EXAs. The Kodak EXAs featured an exclusive pearlescent yellow paint scheme.
The EXA/Pulsar NX was replaced in 1991 with the Nissan NX coupé.
Engines offered in the Pulsar NX:
1987
1988
1989
1990
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References
{{reflist}}
{{Modern North American Nissan vehicles}}
{{Modern European Nissan vehicles}}