NISSAN PULSAR

Third Generation (N13; 1986–1990)

Also called	Holden Astra (Australia) Nissan Sentra Nissan Sunny (Europe)
Production	1986–1990 1987–1991 (Australia)
Assembly	Clayton South, Victoria, Australia
Successor	Nissan NX (coupe)
Body style	3-door hatchback 4-door sedan 5-door hatchback 5-door station wagon

In 1986, Nissan's design chief refused to follow the smoother, aerodynamic look of other cars, and told his design team to come up with an affordable, sub-compact car. A squarer Pulsar (N13 series) was released as a result; innovations included a four-wheel drive model. The Pulsar–Astra relationship continued in Australia, with the Langley sold as the Pulsar there and the four-door sedan version of the Nissan called the Pulsar Vector. 

1987-1989 Nissan Pulsar (N13) 5-door hatchback (AUS)

1987-1989 Pulsar (N13) Vector GXE sedan (AUS)

1989-1991 Pulsar (N13 S2) Ti GL sedan (AUS)

1989-1991 Pulsar (N13 S2) Q 5-door sedan hatchback (AUS)

The Langley also continued sales in Japan as a "Japanese-spec" Pulsar with a more powerful DOHC 1.8 L engine as opposed to its Holden sourced SOHC counterpart in Australia. The N13 Langley featured other options such as a limited-slip differential, luxurious interior and the much sought-after black headlights, center grille and round Skyline-style taillights. 

1989-1991 Pulsar (N13 S2) Vector GL sedan (A

Driver side airbags were made a standard feature in the 1987 Nissan Pulsar NX, however passenger airbags were made an option in 1994. In countries such as New Zealand, the Sunny and Pulsar were combined into a single model, the Nissan Sentra — which differed (apart from the station wagon) from the models sold under the same name in the United States.

Versions in the United Kingdom were:

• 1.3 L (57 kW@5000 rpm)
• 1.3 LS (57 kW@5000 rpm)
• 1.3 GS (57 kW@5000 rpm)
• 1.3 LX (59 kW@5150 rpm)
• 1.4 LS (64 kW@5000 rpm)
• 1.4 GS (64 kW@5000 rpm)
• 1.6 LX (69 kW@4800 rpm)
• 1.6 SLX (75 kW@5300 rpm)
• 1.6 GSX (86 kW@5800 rpm)
• 1.8 ZX (98 kW@5000 rpm)

Engines offered in the Australian built version were:

• 1.6 L GM Family II 16LF, 1597 cc, single point TBI, SOHC, 56 kW (75 hp)@5600 rpm, 125 N·m (92 lb·ft)@3600 rpm
• 1.8 L GM Family II 18LE, 1796 cc, multi point EFI, SOHC, 79 kW (106 hp)@5600 rpm, 151 N·m (111 lb·ft)@3600 rpm
• 1.8 L GM Family II 18LE, 1796 cc, multi point EFI, SOHC, 84 kW (113 hp)@5600 rpm, 162 N·m (119 lb·ft)@3600 rpm (SVD)

Saloon models were badged as Pulsar; this was the basis for the badge-engineered Holden Astra. In Europe, it was sold as the Nissan Sunny, unrelated, however, to the Sunny sold in Asia. In Malaysia, it was sold as the Nissan Sentra, differ from the Nissan Sentra sold in the America and visually similar to the European Nissan Sunny. In South Africa it was sold as the Nissan Sabre. There were three and five-door hatchbacks and a four-door sedan.

The (Japanese: Nissan EXA) was spun off as its own model, with an innovative modular rear end: customers could opt for a coupé, hatchback or an open-top car. In Japan and the US, the EXA also had the Sportbak wagon option. This version was actually based on the North American B12 "Sentra" chassis, and was equipped with the CA16DE engine. This version of the EXA was available in North America under the name Pulsar NX.

The North American Pulsar NX was offered in two distinct trim levels: the economical XE (1.6 litre E16i in 1987–1988 and 1.6 litre GA16i in 1989–1990) and the twin-cam, performance-oriented SE (1.6 litre CA16DE in 1987 and 1.8 litre CA18DE in 1988–1989).

In Australia, the Series 1 EXA (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 Adelade Grand Prix in 1988. They had all the features of the Series 2, but also had SSS pulsar 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. The Nissan EXA Solair was a luxury version of the base model that featured power windows, 5 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.

Engines offered in the North American Pulsar NX:
1987

• 1.6 L E16i, 1597 cc, single point TBI, SOHC
• 1.6 L CA16DE, 1597 cc, multi point EFI, DOHC

1988

• 1.6 L E16i, 1597 cc, single point TBI, SOHC
• 1.8 L CA18DE, 1809 cc, multi point EFI, DOHC

1989

• 1.6 L GA16i, 1597 cc, single point TBI, SOHC
• 1.8 L CA18DE, 1809 cc, multi point EFI, DOHC

1990

• 1.6 L GA16i, 1597 cc, single point TBI, SOHC

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