Sisten Motor Company | 2023 Sisten Kayena

Oops, here goes my plan to upload everything in chronological order. But, I think this break is still worth it! Also, another reminder that the Sisten Motoring Corporation is the company in which Corsica is a sub-brand in, alongside Sisten and Taluvec.




From Arion’s side:

Around 1988, the executives at the Sisten Motoring Corporation started taking notice of Arion Automotive, a company located in the Greatest of Britains. They started having talks with the higher-ups at Arion about acquiring a large stake in them in hopes of not only borrowing engines and technologies, but also in order to increase the size of Sisten size in the European market.

By '89, Sisten acquired a 29.6% stake in Arion, and this resulted in their first collaboration car, the Arion Starling & Corsica Zeta.


The Zeta and Starling were unveiled in 1990, both going on sale the same year. The three versions offered for the first three model years were the GL, GLX and Sport.

The Zeta was designed to be the more “budget-friendly” version of the Starling… something that didn’t make too much sense as the Zeta was offered exclusively in the US market.

When it comes to the engine, both of the twins used the same Arion designed 2.0 V6 engine, outputting 193 horsepower and achieving a 0-62 mph time of 5.3 seconds. This engine was mounted either to a 5-speed manual (standard in the base GL trim) or a 4-speed Corsica G-Tron automatic (standard in every other model).

In 1992, the Zeta became available with All-Wheel Drive with the CS Altrive trim (pictured above). The CS used a basic AWD system borrowed from a 10-year old Sisten and only managed to get through to 1995 before being discontinued.

When it comes to the design, the exterior was mostly done in-house by the designers from Arion. However, the interiors for both the cars were very different. As the Starling was the more luxurious offering with leather seats, it was in stark contrast to the Zeta’s black plastic dashboard and cloth seats.

The suspension of the Zeta was cheaper and more basic too, as were the brakes.


Specifications

2.0 V6 Turbo | 1990
Horsepower: 193hp @ 6800 RPM
Torque: 267 Nm @ 3500 RPM
Top Speed: 155km/h
0-100km/h: 10.7 seconds
Transmission: 4-speed automatic, 5-speed manual
Price: Starting from $25500 (1990)


The collaborations between Corsica and Arion would not end after the Starling/Zeta twins, as was showcased later in such models as the 1998 Cheetah CR Superspeed. Corsica’s next model would be the 1992 C900.

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Fiero ripoff? Maybe

@desperatedonut5 I don’t see any visual cue that remembers me of a Pontiac Fiero.

...

I think it’s time for us to get a dislike button.

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I was actually more inspired by the early SW20 and early 90’s Ferrari models for the design on my half lol

Also why does my post of the collaboration only have half the likes c’x

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I think there will be some trouble with the naming… :thinking:

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Oh, I do apologize for this. I hope you won’t mind if I keep the name, but if you do, then I’d be glad to change it!

No problem. I was just pointing out the thing for a laugh.

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It’s like Peugeot and Volkswagen when they found out about each other’s GTIs. Beautiful.

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Around 1982, Sisten was engineering a compact sedan for their new brand, Corsica. However, around 1983, the company that was supposed to supply Sisten with the materials the new sedan was supposed to be built from went bust. Their demise came from mismanagement issues. Due to the problem, Corsica’s first sedan instead became the Oakwood, a stop-gap model until Sisten managed to find a new supplier.

After many delays, the now named Solar went on sale in 1986, with a design that was done in '82.

Now, a few months before the official launch, Mr. Tennant had a great idea.
“Why don’t we promote our new model with a product placement in the show EVERYBODY is watching tonight?”

With that, the '86 Solar was featured in the third season premiere of Miami Vice Florida Cops.

Many thanks to @Mr.Computah for allowing me to use his excellent Module UR-82 for the video! Really, couldn’t have done that without it.


Corsica Solar Gen. 1

from 1986-1993

Designed by Kenneth Carmichael, it was only Corsica’s second design made from scratch, after the original 1981 Cheetah. The design is made from sharp edges and boxy shapes, everything that would fit on a car in 1983.

In 1987, the Solar became the official company car of the Sisten Motoring Corporation, after the Sisten Sunburst.

This model would be known as the car that truly launched Corsica, being their first true volume-seller.

Underneath the shell, the Solar features a basic steel monocoque chassis with a Transverse FWD layout. MacPherson Struts can be found in the front with Torsion Beams taking their place in the back.

Inside, the traditional gauge cluster was replaced with a SPACE AGE digital screen cluster, shown above.

Unusually for a car like this, all three engines that were available were designed from the ground up just for this model.

Our first option is a 1.6 liter Inline-4, making a whole 93 horsepower and speeding this beast from 0-100 km/h in 10.4 seconds. It utilizes a 16 Valve, double overhead cam design as well as Multipint fuel injection.

The second engine on offer is a 1.8 liter Inline-4, now making 110 horsepower. Essentially using the same design as the 1.6, the 1.8 was on offer from 1986 until 1990. Interestingly, this engine (with some modifications) is still in use on the South American Sisten Cargovan.

The third engine available is the turbocharged 2.2 liter Inline-4. Internally named “SC Molecule”, this version generates 146 horsepower and 211 Nm of torque. The “Molecule” was only ever available with the Sport trim.

In total, there were 4 trim versions. The base model GL included cloth seats, an 8-track player and no air conditioning. This trim was only ever available with a 5-speed manual, like the Sport.

The mid-line SL upgraded the cloth seats to slightly nicer cloth seats. A/C was standard and a 3-speed automatic became available and the mirrors were mostly body-colored.

For the recently retired grandpa, the luxury SE trim came exclusively with the 3-speed automatic and a fancy cassette player. And you could get it in beige (as pictured above).

The most expensive version however, would be the Sport. Optioned from the factory with a nice spoiler and “TURBO” stickers, it would actually end up being the second most popular version, behind the SL.

From '86 to '93, a total of 1,004,601 first generation Solars were produced. Until 2010, this would be the most popular Corsica model.


Karen took the kids again.


SPECIFICATIONS

1.6 I4 | 1986
Horsepower: 93hp @ 6000 RPM
Torque: 132 Nm @ 2700 RPM
Top Speed: 165km/h
0-100km/h: 10.4 seconds (5-speed)
Transmission: 5-speed manual

1.8 I4 | 1986
Horsepower: 110hp @ 6200 RPM
Torque: 154 Nm @ 3600 RPM
Top Speed: 170km/h
0-100km/h: 10.7 seconds (3-speed)
Transmission: 3-speed automatic, 5-speed manual

2.2 I4 Turbo | 1986
Horsepower: 146hp @ 5900 RPM
Torque: 211 Nm @ 3700 RPM
Top Speed: 188km/h
0-100km/h: 7.9 seconds (5-speed)
Transmission: 5-speed manual


Skipping yet another year in 1987, Corsica’s flagship and their halo model, the Cheetah would get its first generation change for 1988.

And then in 1989 they made a minivan. Because “sports brand”.

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The Solar is synthwave tastic and that chase was awesome! :smiley:

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Fantastic piece of 80’s design, excellent video and nice interior! I wish I could put something this nice together!

Dammit Karen!!

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bookmarks this for when I’m done with LC and reboots Derrickson

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A print advertisement from 1990, after the launch of the Zeta sports car.


By 1984, the Corsica Cheetah had proven itself to be a popular pony car. Models were flying off the shelves (by Sisten standards, at least) and nearly every TV show featured one as a background extra. Indeed, it was proving to be so popular that the smart heads at Corsica immediately started working on the new one.

After 4 smooth years spent in development, the Cheetah II was launched at the North American International Auto Show in 1988, the same place where the original Cheetah had been introduced.


Corsica Cheetah II

from 1988-1996

Design

The first drafts for the second generation Cheetah featured a design very similar to the original model, with key differences including slimmer headlights, a completely redesigned B-pillar and an overall lower height. However, once these designs reached Jack Tennant (CEO of the Sisten Motoring Corporation, former heavyweight champion), he quickly rejected them. In his famous words: “It’s exactly the same!” Following this, he ordered the design team to take cues from the Sisten 2000 concept vehicle. As a result, the final version looked radically different, with a much more muscular stance, a shark-nose element in the front and a two-tone paint job on all models.


Engines & Transmissions

Overall, a total of three engines were offered. The first of these is the entry-level, 3.0 liter V6. Internally known as the 30C680, this was a modified version of the V6 in the original Cheetah. Utilizing the same 24-valve layout, power output was increased from 171 to 184 horsepower. With that, 0-100 km/h was decreased to just 6.9 seconds. Torque numbers increased as well, namely from 218 to 240 Nm. When it comes to transmission options, the 5-speed manual in use was the SMTYR4 from the 1988 to 1991 model years. Starting in 1992, it was replaced with the SMTUR4 version, being much more reliable and easy to fix than the original. The automatic on offer was a 4-speed automatic, again being the same as in the original Cheetah.

The second engine, the 4.5 GV was again a modified version of the engine used in the first generation. Thanks to more modern techniques, horsepower shot up from 200 to 237 horsepower, torque went up from 271 to 330 Nm. This version of the engine ended up also being used in the base-model Sisten Canyon pickup truck. With a 0-100km/h of just 6.3 seconds, the V8 was definitely quick for its day.

The third engine is actually a turbocharged version of the V6, available exclusively with the Sport Turbo. While horsepower went to 192 horsepower, it was just 0.1 seconds faster to 100 km/h. This was due to the secret fact that the Turbo was simply meant to be a more fuel efficient version in the range. The average fuel economy rating was 17.4 MPG.


Trims and Special Versions

Each engine corresponded to their own trim version. As is tradition with the Cheetah, the V6 Sport was the “entry-level” model and the V8 Supersport was the flagship model. However, another model entered the range in 1990; the V8 Circuit Special.

The Circuit Special (pictured below) filled two spots with its existence. It was both a cosmetic upgrade to the V8 and it was also a more track focused version. With stiffer suspension, a spoiler and louvres, the CS lasted from 1990 until 1995.

The V6 Sport Turbo (pictured above) joined the model range in 1992, sitting between the Sport and Supersport. As mentioned earlier, it used a modified V6 with a turbo attached to it. This model would last until the production for the Cheetah II would end.


Production

Nearly 800,000 units from this generation were produced. About 700,000 of those were in the Sisten Detroit plant in Detroit, the other 100,000 were made in Mexico.

The last unit of the second generation Cheetah rolled off of the production line in 1996.


Specifications

Corsica Cheetah II V6 Sport V6 Sport Turbo V8 Supersport V8 Circuit Special
Engine
Engine Type 30C680 30C680 TC GV V8 GV V8
Horsepower 184 192 237 237
Torque 241 251 330 330
Drivetrain Rear-Wheel Drive - - -
Performance
Top Speed 221km/h 223km/h 239km/h 234km/h
0-100 km/h 6.9 seconds 6.8 seconds 6.3 seconds 6.2 seconds
80-120 km/h 4.4 seconds 4.4 seconds 3.8 seconds 3.7 seconds
Fuel Economy 16.7 MPG 17.4 MPG 13.8 MPG 13.7 MPG
Car
Weight 1196kg 1250kg 1257kg 1240kg
Price (N/A) $12,700 $13,000 $14,200 $14,500

Then they made a minivan in 1989. Screw everybody.

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Why is the turbo V6 offered when it doesn’t have much more power than the atmo V6? Oh, I get it. It’s meant to provide better economy. But with any engine, the Cheetah lives up to its name - it has the moves to match its looks.

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The 88 Cheetah and the new Minivan are looking good.

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EDIT: After 24 hours, Design 3 has won the poll - With that, thank you to everyone who voted, I really appreciate it a lot!


Welcome to…

“I Can’t Decide Which Design Is Better So I’ll Let You Decide!”


Hello and welcome to the first annual “Please Help Me” poll!

I (Corsica) am planning (is planning) to announce the 2020 Yosemite at the upcoming New York International Auto Show. However, I’m having real trouble deciding between the front-light design, so I’m hoping the community can help me with the decision.

With that, there is a poll below where you can vote for one of three designs.

Design 1: Arguably the most basic of the designs, this is the first one I made. It was used for my CSR 94 entry, albeit on a pickup rather than an SUV.

Design 2: With this one, the side reflector is now slimmer. Also it now looks a bit like a Range Rover…

Design 3: The final design features a much sharper, sleeker reflector. Although I like it a lot, I fear that it might look too much like a modern Kimura (from titleguy1). If this design gets any complaints, it’s very unlikely it will be chosen as the final version.


In case this helps, here are pictures of the 1st generation as well as the current 4th generation models.


  • Design 1
  • Design 2
  • Design 3
0 voters

If you think that none of these designs are good or you have any other suggestions, please do let me know!

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When was Corsica founded again? Just asking :smirk:

You should like, uh read the thread sometime, donut.

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I’m gonna make a useless argument that I think will make this situation not worse when it really does and make people hate me even more. (Jk just a joke I’m just an absolute dumbass at times)