Nissan MID-4. Photo courtesy of Zhome.com
In the mid-1980′s Nissan created a concept car called the MID-4. It was the company’s interpretation of a world-class supercar – a competitor to the European exotics like Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Porsches. Not only did Nissan create two separate legendary sports cars from it, but it influenced other manufacturers’ sports cars as well. The MID-4 featured AWD, 4WS (4 wheel steering), mid-engine V6, and a revolutionary styling.
Two years later, they revised the concept (MID-4II) with a 320HP twin-turbocharged V6 and a sleeker styling.
Nissan MID-4 II. Photo courtesy of ZHome.com.
As you might have already guessed, the two Nissan sports cars that came out of these concept vehicles are 300ZX Turbo (Z32) and Skyline GT-R (R32). The 4WS (later renamed HICAS) went to both cars, AWD (later renamed ATTESA) was assigned to the Skyline GT-R, and the twin turbo V6 was shoehorned into the 300ZX Turbo.
If you study the MID-4 car carefully, you will see a ton of Honda NSX styling cues (Acura NSX in the US). It is not definitely known that Honda borrowed the idea for the NSX, but a V6 mid-engined sports car with more than a passing resemblance to the MID-4, is a bit suspicious.
-KF
