Nissan MID4 Is A Long-Forgotten Concept
by AutoExpert | 4 January, 2022
Nissan planned to produce a supercar in the early 1980s, however, the project was shelved owing to cost concerns. Nissan MID4 looks a lot like the iconic Honda NSX when you first see it. The Japanese concept had its debut in 1985 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, then underwent Type II modifications before being shown in Tokyo in 1987.
The concept's advancements were eventually included in the company's numerous production versions. The Nissan MID4 was designed to rival the Ferrari Testarossa. When looking at the red-finished right-hand drive version, the similarities between the models' looks are most obvious.
The 3.0-liter V6 engine, placed directly behind the seats, produced 245 horsepower and was controlled by a five-speed manual gearbox. Power was transferred to the wheels via a powertrain with 33% going to the front axle and 67% going to the rear axle. The all-wheel-drive technology from the concept was subsequently adopted in the renowned GT-R sportscar (R32), which debuted in 1987.
Nissan unveiled the MID4 Type II in 1987, with a dramatically altered look that was becoming increasingly evocative of the Honda NSX, which debuted a few years later at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show. The MID4 Type II gets a 3.0-liter Bi-turbo V6 with 330 horsepower, in addition to a new external design.
Although the vehicle was substantially less expensive than Porsche or Ferrari, Nissan finally chose to abandon the MID4 due to concerns that it would be too expensive to construct.
