Nissan-Saurus: From the "what-could've-been" files
At the 1987 Tokyo Motor Show Nissan unveiled a sporty concept with a design reminiscent of the Lotus Seven. It was an open cockpit design with bulging fenders featuring a 1.0-liter supercharged and turbocharged engine. The concept had a fitting name to go with its unconventional design, the Nissan Saurus. Rather than add more sensible features to the Saurus, such as a roof, Nissan marketed the concept as part of a pair. The Jura minivan concept was introduced as a practical compliment to the roadster. This approach was very radical for the Japanese market where space for two automobiles was unrealistic for most, so it was safely assumed the Saurus concept was never meant to see production. Surprisingly enough, the twincharged engine made its way into production in 1989 through the March/Micra Super Turbo.
Despite the impracticality of the Saurus concept, there was one department of Nissan that saw potential in the design. Nismo, Nissan's motorsports division, created the Saurus Cup race series in 1989. The series featured single seater sheetmetal tub racecars with fiberglass molded bodies replicating the Saurus concept. The car was also used for Nissan Racing School. The successor to the Saurus racecar, the Saurus Jr., is still used for advanced racing classes today.
Follow the jump to see more images related to the Nissan Saurus concept.
[Source: Grand JDM]
Gallery: Nissan Saurus
1987 Nissan Saurus Concept, below
1987 Nissan Jura Concept, below
Nissan Saurus Cup Racecar, below
Nissan Saurus Jr. Racecar, below
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
KKop 9:58AM (12/25/2007)
compl_e_ment .
aargh...
Reply
James 11:25AM (12/25/2007)
merry christmas to you too, ebenezer
Dave 12:51PM (12/25/2007)
I like it.
But the bang for the buck from a midengine twincharged 1.0 is pretty weak.
It couldn't have competed with the MR2 and Miata.
Reply
EMC 6:10PM (1/06/2008)
1987 Saurus: Mid engined 400kg, with 110 HP @ 6500 rpm and 98 ft/lbf (133 Nm) @ 5200 rpm
compared to the 1989 MX5's 950kg, with 115 HP @ 6500rpm and 100 ft/lbf (136 Nm) @ 5500 rpm
compared to the 1987 MR2's 1020kg, with 120 HP @ 6600 rpm and 142.0 Nm @ 5200 rpm
so no, it would have been no competition ;)
Dave 7:14PM (1/06/2008)
1) What does that have to do with bang for the buck?
2) The weight of the concept would be a far cry from the weight of a US legal production car, unfortunately.
BLS 2:45PM (12/25/2007)
I like this series. Keep it up. I thought about doing this myself but lack time, skill, and knowledge.
The first two cars I was thinking of were the Chevrolet Nomad Concept and the Suzuki LC.
Reply
Ben 9:56PM (12/26/2007)
ford saurus.
the sport version of the taurus.
Reply