Nissan S15 Varietta: Everything you want to know!
I’m sure you’ve heard of the almighty Nissan Siliva S15, but have you heard of the S15 Varietta? This is not your average sports car—it’s a two-door convertible version of the famous Nissan Silvia S15. It hit the streets from ’99 to ’02 and had the JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) going wild.
Now, imagine this: you’ve got the sleek and stylish design of the S15 Silvia but with a twist. The Varietta comes with a retractable hardtop roof that adds a touch of versatility and style. The Varietta was offered by Nissan but the convertible modification was done by Autech (a subsidiary of Nissan until 2022). In total, only 1143 Varietta’s were ever made making them super rare.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the Nissan S15 Varietta
S15 Varietta original picture from a brochure
Nissan S15 Varietta design features
When it comes to design, the Nissan Silvia S15 Varietta boasts a sleek and aerodynamic profile that closely resembles its coupe counterpart, the S15 Silvia. However, what sets the Varietta apart is its distinctive retractable hardtop roof. This feature provides the best of both worlds by seamlessly transitioning from a closed-top coupe to an open-air convertible.
The Varietta features a hardtop convertible top that comes down with the click of a button. The retractable hardtop elegantly folds into the rear deck area, revealing an open-top driving experience that is sure to turn heads. The sleek lines of the car remain uninterrupted, maintaining its sporty and dynamic appeal.
Because the S15 Varietta is based on the S15 spec S it retains many of the original design elements of the S15. The front of the Varietta is very similar to the S15 and even the rear of the Varietta follows many of the same design elements as its coupe counterpart.
The S15 Varietta was available in four colors (paint code in brackets), those being Brilliant Blue (TV3), Sonic Silver (KR4), White (326) and Flame Red (AR2). Brilliant Blue is by far the most common color for the Varietta. There were 567 produced in Brilliant Blue, 254 in Sonic Silver, 123 in White and 144 in Flame Red. A keen eye might notice this doesn’t add up to 1143 cars but that is because the paint color is unkown on 55 examples.
S15 Varietta interior brochure
Driving experience
Because the Varietta was based on the S15 spec S you can expect a very similar driving experience. Because it is a convertible you can expect a bit more flex in the body compared to the regular S15. At the same time however there is enormous aftermarket support because it has a standard S15 drive train and suspension setup.
Unfortunately the S15 Varietta only came with an SR20DE version. This naturally aspirated engine pumps out roughly 160hp and leaves something to be desired. The S15 Varietta is a prime candidate for a full SR20DET drivetrain swap. Because the SR20DET came standard in higher end trim packages in the S15 this is about as easy as engine swaps get. There are other engine swap options for an S-chassis but these are not as bolt on as the SR20DET.
Availability and Rarity
The Nissan Silvia S15 Varietta, being primarily targeted at the Japanese domestic market (JDM), is a car that holds a certain level of exclusivity and rarity outside of Japan. This makes it a true gem for automotive enthusiasts who manage to find one in markets beyond its country of origin.
Due to its limited availability, finding a Nissan Silvia S15 Varietta outside of Japan can be a challenging task. The car was produced in relatively small numbers during its production period from 1999 to 2002. Only 1143 S15 Varietta’s ever hit the road. Finding a genuine well taken care off example is a hit and miss task. There are times when there are simply no Varietta for sale, whilst sometimes you might find two or more for sale at the same time. As i’m writing this article, I have found at least two S15 Varietta’s for sale in Europe.
In terms of servicing the car, you can expect it to be equally difficult as a regular S15 if you are outside Japan. Parts usually have to be imported although they are starting to get more easily available. The only problematic parts might be anything related to the convertible top.
The price for one of these? Not as bad as you might think. Despite its rarity and limited production run, the S15 Varietta can often be found for practically the same price as an S15 spec R. Are these cars underappreciated, or just not that desirable? Only time will tell!
Brilliant Blue S15 Varietta
Final conclusions about the Nissan S15 Varietta
In conclusion, the Nissan S15 Varietta is an absolute stunner that combines the best of both worlds: a sleek, sporty design and the open-air freedom of a convertible. Because of its S15 spec S base there is an enormous amount of aftermarket support to make your S15 Varietta perform just the way you want it to. If you want a bit more power (and I know you do) then consider an OEM SR20DET engine swap.
The Varietta is a sports car, but one that is about style and presence more than performance. Although there is no doubt that it’s sporty and handles great. The convertible top invites you to take it easy. This is a true weekend cruiser, and one that I would personally love to own one day.
