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.
Nissan Pulsar EXA (N12; 1982–1986)
The Pulsar EXA was known in North America as the Pulsar NX and shared many of its parts with the Nissan Sentra. It was available from 1982 to 1986 and came with several of the engines also seen in the regular Pulsars. In North America. where it arrived for model year 1983, it received 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 coupé, 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. As a result, the dashboard wa largely identical to that of a Pulsar hatchback or sedan. The Pulsar EXA was first introduced in April 1982 with two versions of the E15 engine, either carburetted or fuel injected. In May 1983 the turbocharged E15ET engine was introduced, producing at 5600 rpm. The same spec was used on cars exported to Singapore, where the top speed was listed as with a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 8.8 seconds. At this time, a door mirror became standard on the EXA rather than the traditional fender-mounted unit. 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. 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 coupé with the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. This model develops at 6500 rpm.
Nissan EXA (N13; 1986–1990)
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. It featured a "T-bar removable hatch roof" 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 studios in San Diego, CA and shared styling cues with the contemporary two-door Nissan Pathfinder/Terrano 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 came with the CA16DE, vinyl rear seats, front vented disk with rear drum brakes, and power steering. The Series 2 EXA 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 EXA added rear disc brakes, improved seats and optional power windows. 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. 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 originally a grey/white colour but was painted pink for the competition. The North American Pulsar NX was offered in two trim levels: the XE and the twin-cam, SE. The EXA/Pulsar NX was replaced in 1991 with the Nissan NX coupé. Engines offered in the Pulsar NX: 1987
