Rare Car Archive

Makes › Nissan Japan › MID4 / MID4-II prototypes · Prototype · 1985–1987 Ultra Rare

Nissan
MID4 / MID4-II prototypes

Running mid-engined 4WD/4WS experimental sports cars; MID4 shown at Frankfurt and Tokyo 1985 (running, LHD), MID4-II at Tokyo 1987 and track-tested; technology went to Z32 and R32 GT-R.

Nissan MID4 / MID4-II prototypes (Wikipedia article: Nissan MID4)
Nissan MID4 / MID4-II prototypes (Wikipedia article: Nissan MID4)
Photo: TTTNIS · CC0 1.0
5BuiltIndependently researched
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
5 Built
Years
1985–1987
Engine
Mid-engined V6: transverse (MID4), longitudinal (MID4-II) · 3,000 cc / 3 LFactory: 3 L
Power
243 kW / 330 PSFactory: 330 PS
Top speed
Not yet verified
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Shinichiro Sakurai (development lead)
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The MID4 and MID4-II were mid-engined, four-wheel-drive, four-wheel-steering research cars that were seriously considered for production before the Honda NSX appeared. They never reached showrooms, but the MID4 line fed the all-wheel-drive and rear-steering technology and the VG30 engine of later Nissan performance cars.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityUltra Rare 5 · Built1
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

  • Nissan MID4 / MID4-II prototypes (Wikipedia article: Nissan MID4)Nissan MID4 / MID4-II prototypes (Wikipedia article: Nissan MID4)
    Photo: TTTNIS · CC0 1.0
  • Nissan MID4 / MID4-II prototypes (Wikipedia article: Nissan MID4)Nissan MID4 / MID4-II prototypes (Wikipedia article: Nissan MID4)
    Photo: TTTNIS · CC0 1.0

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model productionat least 2 MID4 + at least 3 MID4-II prototypes 51 Factory production Independently researched

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The first MID4 was shown at the Frankfurt show in September 1985 with a transversely mounted naturally aspirated 3.0-litre VG30DE V6, full-time four-wheel drive and the HICAS rear-wheel steering first used on the R31 Skyline; development was led by Shinichiro Sakurai. Motor Trend places the debut at the Tokyo show, which conflicts with the Frankfurt date in the Japanese source.

The MID4-II was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show on 29 October 1987. It has a longitudinally mounted twin-turbo VG30DETT, a largely bespoke design rather than the parts-bin construction of the first car, an aluminium body and wider tyres. Motor1 says three MID4-IIs were made. Nissan dropped the project, citing cost, while the Z32 300ZX took the performance flagship role.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard MID4 / MID4-II prototypes.

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeVG30DETT (MID4-II); VG30DE (MID4)2 Independently researched
LayoutMid-engined V6: transverse (MID4), longitudinal (MID4-II)2 Independently researched
Cylinders63 Independently researched
Displacement 3,000 cc / 3 LFactory: 3 L3 Independently researchedBoth cars.
BoreNot yet verified
StrokeNot yet verified
Compression ratioNot yet verified
ValvetrainDOHC2 Independently researchedDescribed for the VG30DE of the first MID4.
Fuel systemNot yet verified
InductionTwin-turbo with intercooler (MID4-II); naturally aspirated (MID4)2 Independently researched
Power 243 kW / 330 PSFactory: 330 PS2,3 Independently researchedMID4-II. Motor1 gives 330 hp and Motor Trend 325 hp; MID4: Motor1 says 245 hp, and the Japanese source says the II gains 100 PS.
Power at 6,800 rpm2 Independently researchedMID4-II.
Torque 382 Nm / 39 kgmFactory: 39 kgm2 Independently researchedMID4-II.
Torque at 3,200 rpm2 Independently researchedMID4-II.

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxNot yet verified
Gears53 Independently researchedMID4 (first car).
Driven wheelsAll-wheel drive (front/rear split 33/67 on the MID4)3 Independently researched

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisNot yet verified
Front suspensionDouble wishbone (MID4-II); MacPherson strut (MID4)2 Independently researched
Rear suspensionMulti-link (MID4-II); MacPherson strut (MID4)2 Independently researched
BrakesNot yet verified
SteeringFour-wheel steering (HICAS-type rear steering)3 Independently researched
Body constructionNot yet verified
MaterialsAluminium body (MID4-II)2 Independently researched
Wheelbase 2,540 mmFactory: 2,540 mm2 Independently researchedMID4-II.
Length 4,300 mmFactory: 4,300 mm2 Independently researchedMID4-II.
Width 1,860 mmFactory: 1,860 mm2 Independently researchedMID4-II.
Height 1,200 mmFactory: 1,200 mm2 Independently researchedMID4-II.
Front trackNot yet verified
Rear trackNot yet verified
Kerb weight 1,400 kgFactory: 1,400 kg2,3 Independently researchedMID4-II; weight condition not stated. Motor1 gives 3,086 lb (1,400 kg).
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speedNot yet verified
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
Fuel tankNot yet verified

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Being verified against factory or registry sources before it is published. Have a source? Contribute it.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    ZHome: The Nissan MID4 Prototypes Level C
    • 5 at least 2 MID4 + at least 3 MID4-II prototypes
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  2. 2
    NISSAN MID4 II (Nissan Heritage Collection series) Level C Best Car Web (archived 2025) · 2025-12-31
    • VG30DETT
    • VG30DEを横置きとし、ミドシップにレイアウト
    • 縦置き搭載に変更
    • 3LのDOHC「VG30DE」
    • インタークーラー付きツインターボ
    • 最高出力が100psアップの330ps/6800rpm
    • 330ps/6800rpm
    • 39.0kgm/3200rpm
    • フロントがダブルウィッシュボーン
    • リアがマルチリンク
    • アルミボディによる効果
    • ホイールベースも+5mmの2540mm
    • 全長4300×全幅1860×全高1200mm
    • 全幅1860
    • 全高1200mm
    • 170㎏増の1400㎏
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  3. 3
    Concept We Forgot: 1985 Nissan MID4, 1987 MID4 Type II Level C Motor1.com
    • 3.0-liter V6
    • 330 hp
    • five-speed manual gearbox
    • 33 percent of the power going to the front axle and the 67 percent channeled to the rear
    • first car from Nissan to feature a four-wheel steering system
    • 3,086 pounds (1,400 kilograms)
    Accessed 2026-11-13

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