Nissan
S-Cargo (G20)

Why it matters

The S-Cargo was the cartoonish delivery van of Nissan's four-car Pike series, and its name is a pun on "small cargo" and "escargot". It was built in limited numbers as a fashion-minded commercial vehicle and has become a favourite for mobile advertising.

How rare is it?

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

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

• Nissan S-Cargo (G20) (Wikimedia Commons: Nissan S-Cargo)
  Photo: Ddoherty958 · CC BY 4.0
• Nissan S-Cargo (G20) (Wikimedia Commons: Nissan S-Cargo)
  Photo: Calreyn88 · CC BY-SA 4.0
• Nissan S-Cargo (G20) (Wikimedia Commons: Nissan S-Cargo)
  Photo: Calreyn88 · CC BY-SA 4.0
• Nissan S-Cargo (G20) (Wikimedia Commons: Nissan S-Cargo)
  Photo: TTTNIS · CC0 1.0

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

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

History

Nissan released the S-Cargo at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show, derived from the March but powered by the 1.5-litre engine from the Pulsar/Sunny, and built it as a limited run for roughly 1989-1990. Production totals differ by source: 10,600 (AutoZine, 1989-90) and about 12,000 built from 1989 to 1992 (Import Driver).

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

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

Identification guide

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

The S-Cargo has a tall, arch-shaped snail-like body whose rear cargo area curves like a shell, based on the Citroen 2CV camionette, a top-hinged rear door, huge side doors, a single-spoke steering wheel and snail-themed floor mats. It was available only with a three-speed automatic and a 1.5-litre engine.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Nissan S-Cargo 1989 – Lane Motor Museum Level B

   • 8000 approximate number produced

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Nissan Be-1, Pao, Figaro and S-Cargo Level C AutoZine (Mark Wan)

   • Front-engined, Fwd
   • Inline-4, sohc, 2v/cyl.
   • Capacity ... 1487 cc
   • Power 73 hp
   • Torque 85 lbft
   • Gearbox 3A
   • Weight 950 kg
   • Top speed 75 mph

   Accessed 2026-11-13
3. 3
   Nissan S-Cargo Level D Import Driver (archived 2001) · 2001-10-25

   • 3 speed automatic transmission

   Accessed 2026-11-13