On February 14, 1991, while many were celebrating Valentine’s Day, Nissan released a five-page press release on Nissan News, the official media channel of Nissan Motor Co Ltd, to introduce the Nissan Figaro.
The Figaro was introduced at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show under the slogan Back to the Future. The goal was to build a car that felt comfortable and familiar, yet completely new. It was produced for only two years, 1991 and 1992, and it was one of the four Pike cars that Nissan made in the late 1980s and early 1990s
The car’s appearance was inspired by the classic beauty of 1950s and 60s European vehicles. It featured rounded shapes, chrome accents, and a unique retractable top that allowed for open-air driving while keeping the side pillars in place. Inside, the classic feel continued with specialized paint that felt like leather to the touch and a dashboard filled with ivory-colored controls and analog gauges.
The Figaro was built on the reliable platform of the first-generation Nissan March. Under the hood, it featured a 1.0-liter turbocharged engine paired with a 3-speed automatic transmission, and was classified as a “compact car” in Japan because of its compact size. The car came in four distinct colors representing the four seasons, Topaz Mist for autumn, Emerald Green for spring, Pale Aqua for summer and Lapis Grey for winter.
Nissan originally planned to build only 8,000 units. However, the demand was so overwhelming that they eventually increased production to nearly 20,000 cars. Because so many people wanted one, Nissan had to set up a lottery system. Potential buyers had to enter their names for a chance to be selected to purchase the car. Most Nissan Figaros sold in Japan eventually were exported overseas as used cars. Figaros became very popular in the UK, which, like Japan, drives on the left side of the road. The car also gained fame in Korea, where several celebrities owned one.
Figaro has appeared in several movies and TV series, such as The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Confetti, Godzilla, and Doctor Who.
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