Nissan MID4
The MID4 was an experimental sports car produced by Nissan.
| Nissan MID4 | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Nissan |
| Production | 1985–1987 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Concept car |
| Body style | 2-door coupe |
| Layout | Mid engine, all-wheel drive |
History
First unveiled at the 1985 International Motor Show Germany, the MID4 was a concept car designed by Nissan to originally go on sale in the mid-late 1980s. Nissan had aimed the MID4 to compete with European supercars from Porsche and Ferrari. It featured a mid-engined all wheel drive layout as well as a wide array of technology and features that would eventually find their way into other Nissan production cars. The MID4 prototypes would evolve into the MID4 II, though it would never be put into production.
Early Development
The responsibility of creating the MID4 was given to a team of designers headed by Shinichiro Sakurai in the spring of 1984. The first four prototypes were completed by March 1985.
MID4
| MID4 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door coupe |
| Layout | Transverse, Mid engine, all-wheel drive |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.0 L (2,960 cc) VG30DE V6 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,435 mm (95.9 in) |
| Length | 4,150 mm (163.4 in) |
| Width | 1,770 mm (69.7 in) |
| Height | 1,198 mm (47.2 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,230 kg (2,712 lb) |
The MID4 was first unveiled at the 1985 Frankfurt Autoshow. The AWD system distributed the power from the newly designed VG30DE engine with 33% to the front and 67% to the rear, and was the predecessor to the ATTESA system. The MID4 was also the first car to feature Nissan's brand new 4 wheel HICAS steering system and had a claimed top speed of 155 mph (249 km/h).
MID4-II
| MID4-II | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door coupe |
| Layout | Longitudinal, Mid engine, all-wheel drive |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.0 L (2,960 cc) VG30DETT V6 twin turbo |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,435 mm (95.9 in) |
| Length | 4,150 mm (163.4 in) |
| Height | 1,198 mm (47.2 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,400 kg (3,086 lb) |
The MID4-II made its debut at the 1987 Tokyo Motor Show and featured many revisions to the previous design. The MID4-II sported the twin turbo intercooled VG30DETT which put out 330 PS (243 kW). The MID4-II was ultimately never produced due to cost.
See also
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