Weekend Edition – Party Fears Two: Nissan MID-4 II

Antti Kautonen

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The 1987 Nissan MID-4 II concept was the logical successor to the 1985 MID-4. At this point, the design had evolved from the sharper, compact-looking 1985 car to a more fluid, more LeMans sort of work. The front works, but the rear is an another question altogether.

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The front actually brings to mind the early-’90s Lotus Elan FWD, as it’s all wide cheeks and pop-up headlights. Top marks for this.

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But the rear: what? The rear fascia moulds late Z31 taillights onto a curiously wide rear, and the haunches overpower the somewhat inset wheels.

Instead of the earlier car’s naturally aspirated VG30DE, the MID-4 II uses the DETT version of the same engine, producing 330hp.

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The interior is a realisation of partsbin-looking stuff, with R32 Skyline / Z32 300ZX / S13 200SX lines here and there.

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All in all, I definitely prefer the earlier MID-4. It’s a crisper, more natural-looking car, and right now, on the street it would look like a definite classic. The newer car is merely bloated and plasticky in an early-’90s superhero comic fashion.

[Images: Nissan / minkara.carview.co.jp]

About

Antti Kautonen

Antti Kautonen

The resident Finn of Hooniverse. Owns old Peugeots and whatnot, writes long thinkpieces on unloved cars. These two facts might be related.

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11 responses to “Weekend Edition – Party Fears Two: Nissan MID-4 II”

  1. ptschett Avatar
    ptschett

    Knee jerk reaction: Japan builds a Testarossa for the 1990's.

    Reply
  2. skitter Avatar
    skitter

    The previous Mid-4 looked like an Esprit knock-off. Except for the engine bump, this one deserved far better.

    Reply
  3. Number_Six Avatar
    Number_Six

    We hadn't seen the last of that basic taillight shape:
    <img src="http://img.favcars.com/infiniti/q45/infiniti_q45_1989_wallpapers_1_b.jpg&quot; width="500" />

    Reply
  4. stigshift Avatar
    stigshift

    Holy shit! The Ferrari NSX!

    Reply
  5. JayP2112 Avatar
    JayP2112

    Pic #2: NSX
    Pic #5: Ford Probe

    Reply
  6. lilpoindexter Avatar
    lilpoindexter

    EWWW

    Reply
  7. POLAЯ Avatar
    POLAЯ

    …and this is before Renault's influence?
    In 1987 they were planning a future selling wheeled scrotum slippers…
    <img src="http://img.favcars.com/renault/concepts/images_renault_concepts_1987_1_b.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
  8. Maymar Avatar
    Maymar

    I'll admit the original MID-4 was a more cohesive design, but I sort of like this better. I'm a child of the early 90s.
    I would also like to see how this would've evolved if it made production.

    Reply
  9. rovingardener Avatar
    rovingardener

    ….and in back we have a very small coffin for the hopes and dreams that the front end and side view inspires.

    Reply
  10. TDI_FTW Avatar
    TDI_FTW

    The proportions of the MID4 are so much better. The MID4II seems a bit awkward in comparison.

    Reply
  11. CABEZAGRANDE Avatar
    CABEZAGRANDE

    The nose looks like the love child of an NSX and an SW20 MR2. The roofline looks very SW20 as well. Not a good thing when your concept looks much more like the product of other companies than your own. But it was damn interesting from a technological standpoint. I wish they'd have pursued this further, an MR2 sized AWD mid-engine car with VG30DETT power? I'll take three.

    Reply