The Nissan Pao is a retro-styled three-door hatchback manufactured by Nissan for model years 1989–1991, and originally marketed solely in Japan at their Nissan Cherry Stores.

Nissan Pao
Nissan Pao finished in Aqua Gray
Overview
ManufacturerNissan Motors (by Aichi Machine Industry)[1]
Production
  • 1989–1991
  • 31,352 produced
AssemblyOppama Plant, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
Designer
Body and chassis
Related
Powertrain
Engine1.0 L MA10S I4
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,300 mm (91 in)
Length3,740 mm (147 in)
Width1,570 mm (62 in)
Height1,475 mm (58 in)
Curb weight720–760 kg (1,587–1,676 lb)

First announced at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 1987, the Pao was available with or without a textile sun roof and was originally marketed without Nissan branding, by reservation only from January 15 through April 14, 1989. Orders were delivered on a first come, first served basis. With 51,657 applications for the vehicle, it sold out in 3 months.[2] The UK's GTR-Registry website provided updated production figures in 2022 with per-colour code quantities, and a total production quantity of 31,352.[3]

Because of its origins at Pike Factory, Nissan's special project group, the Pao – along with the Nissan Figaro, Be-1 and S-Cargo – are known as Nissan's "Pike cars". The promotional campaign for the car included a surreal and futuristic animated video featuring members of the Pike Factory team.[4]

In 2011, noted design critic Phil Patton, writing for the New York Times, called the Pike cars "the height of postmodernism"[5] and "unabashedly retro, promiscuously combining elements of the Citroën 2CV, Renault 4, Mini [and] Fiat 500".[5]

History edit

 
Nissan Pao finished in Aqua Gray (rear)

Part of Nissan's "Pike" series, it was designed as a retro fashionable city car in the mould of the Be-1. It included external door hinges like the original 1960s Austin Mini which had become fashionable in Japan, 'flap-up' windows like those of a Citroën 2CV, and a split rear tailgate of the first British hatchback car the Austin A40 Farina Countryman.[6][7] The Be-1, Pao, Figaro, and S-Cargo were attempts to create cars with designs as desirable as those of Panasonic, Sony, and other personal electronics products.[8] The Pao's side strakes evoked the construction of earlier Woodie car body styles.

The engine was the March/Micra's 1.0 L (987 cc) MA10S, coupled with a three-speed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual transmission, the manual being the more sought after. The engine produced 52 PS (38 kW; 51 hp) at 6,000 rpm and 7.6 kg⋅m (75 N⋅m; 55 lbf⋅ft) at 3,600 rpm.[9]

The chassis included rack and pinion steering, independent suspension with struts in front and 4-links and coil springs in back. Brakes were discs up front and drums in the rear. It has a clamshell hatch in back, meaning the glass section swings up and the bottom portion opens down to create a tailgate. The compact Pao requires just 4.4 m (14.4 ft) to turn and delivers up to 51 mpg (5.5 L/100 km) in the city and 79 mpg (3.4 L/100 km) at a steady 60 km/h (37 mph).[citation needed] The tires were of 155/SR12 format. The Pao was offered in four colours: Aqua Gray (#FJ-0), Olive Gray (#DJ-0), Ivory (#EJ-I) and Terracotta (#AJ-0).

The design of the Pao is usually credited to Naoki Sakai who also worked for Olympus, where he brought back "the brushed aluminium look". Sakai also helped design Toyota's later WiLL cars, which echo the Pike series.[8]

Specifications edit

Vehicle type number: Nissan E-PK10

Models:

  • Pao w/5-speed manual transmission (PK10GF) or with 3-speed automatic (PK10GA)
  • Pao canvas top w/ 5-speed manual transmission (PK10GFW) or with 3-speed automatic (PK10GAW)
Dimensions and weight
  • Length: 3,740 mm (147.2 in)
  • Width: 1,570 mm (61.8 in)
  • Height: 1,475 mm (58.1 in) - 1,480 mm (58.3 in)
  • Wheelbase: 2,300 mm (90.6 in)
  • Front/rear tread: 1,365 mm (53.7 in)1,355 mm (53.3 in)
  • Ground clearance: 165 mm (6.5 in)
  • Min. turning circle: 4.40 m (14.5 ft)
  • Seating capacity: 5 people
  • Vehicle weight: 720 kg (1,587.3 lb) - 760 kg (1,675.5 lb)
  • Gross vehicle weight (kg): 995 kg (2,193.6 lb) - 1,035 kg (2,281.8 lb)
Fuel consumption
  • City: 5-speed 5.4 L/100 km (44 mpg‑US); automatic 6.9 L/100 km (34 mpg‑US)
  • At steady 60 km/h (38 mph): 5-speed 3.4 L/100 km (69 mpg‑US); automatic 4.3 L/100 km (55 mpg‑US)
Engine
  • Type: MA10S
  • Water-cooled inline-4 cylinder
  • Cylinder bore and stroke: 68.0 x 68.0 mm
  • Total cubic displacement: 987 cc
  • Compression ratio: 9.5:1
  • Output (net): 52 PS (38 kW; 51 hp) at 6000 rpm
  • Largest torque (net): 75 N⋅m (55 lb⋅ft) at 3600 rpm
  • 1-bbl carburettor
  • Fuel and tank capacity: unleaded regular, 40 L (2,441 cu in)
Exterior colours
  • Aqua Gray (#FJ-0) (16,900 produced)
  • Olive Gray (#DJ-0) (6488 produced)
  • Ivory (#EJ-I) (6362 produced)
  • Terracotta (#AJ-0) (1595 produced)
  • Gold (#EJ-0) (1 produced)
  • Blue-black (#BG-8) (1 produced)
Interior colours
  • Ivory (#EJ-I)
  • Black (#EJ-I)
Standard equipment
  • Power steering
  • Electromagnetic glass hatch release
  • Height-adjustable driver's seat
  • Intermittent wiper
  • Tensionless ELR seat belts (front seats),
  • Radio and tape deck
Optional extras
  • Clock
  • Tonneau cover/parcel shelf
  • Drinks holder
  • Dash tray
  • Under-dash tray
  • Leather steering wheel grips
  • Combination stereo/CD deck
  • Rear speakers
  • Fog lamp and front guard bar
  • Lightweight aluminium wheels
  • ‘Serviceable car kit’ comprising polish, brush, wash mitt, silver gloves, chamois and paperwork wallet, supplied in a courier-style bag made of Pao seat fabric

Paoside edit

Paoside was a range of Pao-specific products featuring the Pao logo which included accessories, clothing, toy cars and other items.

Appearances in media edit

The Nissan Pao has made at least 30 appearances in films and television series, including the opening scenes of Gareth Edwards’ 2014 film adaptation of Godzilla, myriad Asian films and television and Jeremy Clarkson’s Motorworld, listed at the IMCDb database.[10]

A heavily modified Nissan Pao appeared in Japanese drifter and garage owner Ken Nomura’s DVD Drift Tengoku, featuring the host attempting to drift the car alongside the car's creator, D1 Grand Prix Lights Team driver Kazayuki Akuzawa, with limited success.[11]

References edit

  1. ^ "Brief History | Corporate Profile | Aichi Machine Industry Co., Ltd". Aichikikai.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2010-10-18. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
  2. ^ "日産:NISSAN MUSEUM" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2015-09-17. Retrieved 2012-11-16.
  3. ^ "GTR-Registry.com - Nissan Pao PK10 VIN Table". Retrieved 2022-02-05.
  4. ^ "Nissan Pao promotional film". 2019-09-05. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
  5. ^ a b Phil Patton (2011-03-18). "Nissan's Cartoon Cars, Once So Hip". The New York Times.
  6. ^ Lewin, Tony; Borroff, Ryan; Callum, Ian (2010). How to Design Cars Like a Pro. Motorbooks. p. 185.
  7. ^ Copping, Richard (2006). VW Golf: Five Generations of Fun: The Full Story of the Volkswagen Golf. Veloce Publishing. p. 17.
  8. ^ a b Phil, Patton (2011-03-18). "Nissan's Cartoon Cars, Once So Hip". The New York Times.
  9. ^ 日産 パオ(1989年01月~1989年12月)1.0 キャンバストップ [Nissan Pao (1989.01-1989.12): 1.0 Canvas Top]. Car Sensor Lab Catalog (in Japanese). Recruit Co. Archived from the original on 2011-12-19. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
  10. ^ "List of appearances of Nissan Pao in on-screen media". Retrieved 2022-02-05.
  11. ^ "Ken Nomura 'drifts' modified Nissan Pao". 2020-08-27. Retrieved 2022-02-05.

External links edit