Nissan S-Cargo

Nissan S-Cargo

Manufacturer	Nissan
Production	1989–1992
Predecessor	none
Successor	none
Class	Van
Body style	2-door van
Layout	FF layout
Engine	1487 cc E15S SOHC I4 73 hp (54 kW)
Transmission	3 speed automatic
Wheelbase	89 in (2,300 mm)
Length	137 in (3,500 mm)
Width	62.8 in (1,600 mm)
Height	72.4 in (1,840 mm)
Curb weight	2,097 to 2,141 lb (951 to 971 kg)

The Nissan S-Cargo is a small retro commercial van manufactured by Nissan. The styling of the S-Cargo was directly inspired by the appearance of the small postwar French Citroën 2CV Fourgonnette delivery van; it even used a Citroën style single spoke steering wheel. The 2CV was in its final years of production in the late 1980s and had a niche popularity in Japan at this time. Its name was a double entendre meaning both "Small Cargo" as well as "Escargot", the French word for snail, a nickname for the Citroën 2CV being The Tin Snail.

The van was introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1989. It was built by a Nissan special projects group called Pike Factory, which also produced other niche automobiles such as the Be-1, Pao and Nissan Figaro. Approximately 12,000 S-Cargos were manufactured. All vehicles are right hand drive. While initially marketed only in Japan, the S-Cargo has spread as a grey import vehicle.

It has a small cult following, in spite of being criticised for looking "toy like". Its rarity, quirky looks and huge signage panels make it an attention-grabbing vehicle. Both McDonald's and KFC have used it for mobile billboard advertising.

The S-Cargo was equipped with a 1.5 L E15S 4-cylinder petrol/gasoline engine, a 3-speed automatic transmission, and air conditioning. It was based on the K10 Nissan Micra.^{[citation needed]}

Optional items included:

• An oval portal window installed on each side panel.
• An electric canvas sunroof.

External links

• [1] - Import Driver Review