Nissan EXA

The Nissan Pulsar EXA and Nissan EXA are automobiles manufactured and marketed by Nissan Motor Company from 1982 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, and at Nissan Prince Store outlets as the Langley EXA. The second generation EXA was designated as the N13 series.

Both generations were marketed in North America under the name Nissan Pulsar NX.

Nissan Pulsar EXA (N12; 1982–1986)

Nissan Pulsar EXA (N12)
Nissan Pulsar EXA Turbo (Australia)
Overview
Also called	Nissan Langley EXA Nissan Pulsar NX
Production	1982–1986
Assembly	Japan
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupé 2-door convertible
Layout	Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Related	Nissan Sunny Nissan Pulsar (N12)
Powertrain
Engine	1270 cc E13 I4 1488 cc E15 I4 1488 cc E15ET turbo I4 1597 cc E16 I4
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,420 mm (95.28 in)
Length	3,970 mm (156.30 in)
Width	1,630 mm (64.17 in)
Height	1,400 mm (55.12 in)
Curb weight	863 kg (1,903 lb)

The Pulsar EXA was known in North America as the Pulsar NX and shared many of its parts with the Nissan Pulsar. It was available from 1983 to 1986 and came with either the fuel injected turbocharged E15ET engine or the carburetted naturally aspirated E16S engine. The Pulsar EXA followed a successful strategy Nissan used in Japan of offering the economical Nissan Sunny in an affordable, youth-oriented two-door coupe, demonstrated by the Nissan Sunny fastback coupé, which was 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 followed in the tradition of the Sunny Coupé. The car's peculiar upright styling is partially due to the decision to use the regular Pulsar's rather tall windshield and cowl.^[1]

In Japan, the Pulsar EXA convertible was a limited edition model was designed to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Nissan Cherry Japanese dealership chain, and sold as a companion to the Nissan Pulsar. It appeared in Japan the same year as the Honda CR-X in the same marketing segment, replacing the Nissan Pulsar N10 series coupe. It was launched in May 1985, and just 100 vehicles were made available for the whole of Japan. The vehicle 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.

In September 1983, Nissan Australia released the two-door Pulsar EXA coupe with the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. This model develops 77 kW (105 PS; 103 hp) at 6500 rpm.^[2]

Nissan Pulsar EXA Turbo (Australia) 

Nissan Pulsar EXA convertible (Japan) 

Nissan EXA (N13; 1986–1990)

Nissan EXA (N13)
1988–1990 Nissan EXA coupe (Australia)
Overview
Also called	Nissan Pulsar NX
Production	1986–1990
Assembly	Japan
Designer	Koichiro Kawamura
Body and chassis
Body style	3-door T-top coupé
Layout	Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	CA16DE DOHC I4 CA18DE DOHC I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,430 mm (96 in)
Length	4,230 mm (167 in)
Width	1,680 mm (66 in)
Height	1,295 mm (51 in)
Curb weight	1,070 kg (2,359 lb)
Chronology
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 coupe, a targa, a cabriolet or a station wagon by removing or replacing panels.^[3] It featured a "T-bar removable hatch roof" ^[4] 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 Sportback. 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.

NIssan EXA N13 with Sportbak canopy open

Nissan EXA N13 with Sportbak rear canopy

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 89 GPs made were red. The Series 3 (1990–91) EXA added rear disc brakes, improved seats and optional power windows.

1988–1990 Nissan EXA coupe (Australia)

The Nissan EXA Solair 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. In 1988, a 1986 EXA was offered in a competition to win that had been used on stage for a Kylie Minogue concert, it was original a grey/white colour but was painted pink for the competition, this EXA still exists and lives in Queensland registered today.

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 1988–1989).

The EXA/Pulsar NX was replaced in 1991 with the Nissan NX coupé.

Engines offered in the Pulsar NX:

1987

• 1.6 L E16i, 1,597 cc, single point TBI, SOHC
• 1.6 L CA16DE, 1,597 cc, multi point EFI, DOHC

1988

• 1.6 L E16i, 1,597 cc, single point TBI, SOHC
• 1.8 L CA18DE, 1,809 cc, multi point EFI, DOHC

1989

• 1.6 L GA16i, 1,597 cc, single point TBI, SOHC
• 1.8 L CA18DE, 1,809 cc, multi point EFI, DOHC

1990

• 1.6 L GA16i, 1,597 cc, single point TBI, SOHC

References