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