EXA
Introduced in Japan in October 1986 under the KEN13 chassis code, the Nissan EXA was the coupe derivative of the third-generation Pulsar. Its defining feature was not simply its wedge-shaped styling, but its modular body concept: the car used a removable T-top and could be fitted with a separate rear roof section known as the Canopy. Nissan’s preserved EXA Canopy Type B measures 4.23 metres long, 1.68 metres wide and has a 2.43-metre wheelbase. It is powered by a 1.6-litre CA16DE four-cylinder engine with double overhead camshafts and 16 valves, rated by Nissan at 120 PS. In North America, the same generation was sold as the Nissan Pulsar NX. Within the ScanRacer context, 1986 is represented by a single Base variant; that label alone does not establish a detailed equipment specification.
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Variants by year
Make: Nissan · Model: EXA
1 / 1 versions shown
1986
Nissan EXA photos
Model summary
Data from the ScanRacer library, organized to compare versions quickly.
Model introduction
Introduced in Japan in October 1986 under the KEN13 chassis code, the Nissan EXA was the coupe derivative of the third-generation Pulsar. Its defining feature was not simply its wedge-shaped styling, but its modular body concept: the car used a removable T-top and could be fitted with a separate rear roof section known as the Canopy. Nissan’s preserved EXA Canopy Type B measures 4.23 metres long, 1.68 metres wide and has a 2.43-metre wheelbase. It is powered by a 1.6-litre CA16DE four-cylinder engine with double overhead camshafts and 16 valves, rated by Nissan at 120 PS. In North America, the same generation was sold as the Nissan Pulsar NX. Within the ScanRacer context, 1986 is represented by a single Base variant; that label alone does not establish a detailed equipment specification.
History
The 1986 Nissan EXA grew out of the Pulsar family, but Nissan gave the coupe a separate identity within the N13 range. Nissan’s heritage archive states that the third-generation Pulsar was renewed in May 1986, followed by the launch of its coupe derivative as the Nissan EXA in October of the same year. This timeline is important because the 1986 EXA should not be confused with the earlier N12 Pulsar EXA, which used the EXA name before the KEN13 model appeared. The KEN13 project centred on an unusual modular body. Its T-top roof panels could be removed, while the rear section could accept different body configurations. With the standard coupe arrangement, the car retained a compact sporting profile; the Canopy added a taller rear section and changed the vehicle’s appearance substantially. Nissan treated this interchangeability as a defining feature, although the exact combinations available depended on local regulations and market requirements. Nissan’s Heritage Collection documents a 1986 EXA Canopy Type B fitted with the CA16DE engine, independent suspension, ventilated front disc brakes and rear disc brakes. The model was also sold overseas under different names, most notably as the Pulsar NX in North America. These name changes should not automatically be interpreted as mechanical differences; in many cases, they reflected Nissan’s regional marketing strategy rather than a completely separate vehicle.
Generations
The EXA story can be divided into two main phases. The first was the N12 Pulsar EXA, introduced in Japan in the early 1980s. It used a more conventional coupe body, retractable headlamps and mechanical components related to the wider Pulsar family. On its home market it was known as the Pulsar EXA and did not use the modular KEN13 body introduced later. The second phase began in 1986 with the Nissan EXA KEN13, derived from the N13 model line. This is the generation represented by the 1986 entry in the ScanRacer context. It adopted sharper styling, a removable T-top and a rear body system designed to accept either a coupe-style hatch or a Canopy structure, depending on configuration and market regulations. Nissan states that the styling was developed by its American design studio, then known as Nissan Design International. The KEN13 was therefore more than a cosmetic update of the N12. It introduced a different body concept, a new visual language and a distinct approach to vehicle versatility. The official sources reviewed clearly document the EXA’s 1986 introduction, but they do not support adding further intermediate generation labels to the single model year represented here.
Key differences
The most important difference concerns the body configuration. An EXA in standard coupe form has a low rear profile and a conventional hatch, while the Canopy uses a taller rear section intended to alter the silhouette and provide greater carrying flexibility. The removable T-top is part of the wider KEN13 concept, but a Canopy should not be assumed to be fitted to every car. Nissan’s documented Canopy Type B uses the CA16DE, a 1,598 cc petrol four-cylinder rated at 120 PS under the manufacturer’s stated specification. Differences in trim, transmission, equipment or engine availability between markets should be checked independently. The “Base” name used by ScanRacer is a library classification and, by itself, does not establish a complete Nissan factory specification. The KEN13 EXA must also be distinguished from the earlier N12 Pulsar EXA. Despite the similar names, the two cars belong to different body generations and do not share the same modular rear-body concept.
Photo recognition
The Nissan EXA KEN13 is immediately recognisable by its angular profile, retractable headlamps and sharply upright rear section. In side view, the car has a compact, taut shape with a centrally positioned passenger cell. The removable T-top is another useful clue: its roof panels form two glass sections divided by a central crossbar. To identify a Canopy version, examine the rear body carefully. It is not simply a conventional sloping glass hatch. The Canopy adds a separate, taller and more upright rear roof section, giving the car an appearance closer to a small shooting brake or compact wagon. Nissan states that the hatch and Canopy could be switched on export vehicles, while Japanese regulations restricted some combinations. Badging and market history can provide additional evidence. A car sold in North America may be labelled Pulsar NX rather than EXA. The KEN13 should not be confused with the earlier N12 Pulsar EXA: that car has a different body design and does not use the same modular rear-body system.
Important versions
The best-documented Nissan version is the 1986 EXA Canopy Type B. It combines the Canopy rear body with higher-grade equipment and alloy wheels, while using Nissan’s 1.6-litre CA16DE engine. Nissan also documented the coupe configuration, which used a more conventional rear hatch. The removable T-top was a shared feature of the KEN13 concept. Names and equipment varied by market. In North America, the car was sold as the Pulsar NX, while Nissan used the EXA name in Japan. The “Base” variant listed by ScanRacer is the only 1986 entry supplied in this context. It should therefore be treated as a catalogue classification, without assuming that the vehicle had the Canopy body or any particular equipment package.
References
- Nissan EXA Canopy Type B (1986: KEN13)Nissan Heritage Collection
- Nissan EXA Canopy Type BNissan Japan Heritage Collection
- https://www.automobile-catalog.com/model/nissan/exa_1gen.htmlautomobile-catalog.com
- https://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/nissan/exa_1gen/exa_1gen/1982.htmlautomobile-catalog.com
Frequently asked questions
- What years was the Nissan EXA produced?
- ScanRacer's referenced versions cover 1986.
- How many Nissan EXA examples are documented on ScanRacer?
- 1 published scan from 1 member, with the latest photo added in August 2026.
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