For those of you who follow my personal schedule with intense focus, you may recall that this past weekend I was a judge at the 24 Hours of Lemons race at Carolina Motorsports Park. I’ll have more on that soon, as it was a blast, but now I’d like to show you a surprise treat that showed up at the race. It’s the more athletic sibling of my own Nissan Pao, a Nissan March Super Turbo! This is based on the same Micra K10 platform as my Pao, which I drove down to the event, so seeing these two side to side was a truly unexpected gift.
They’re dressed very differently, but I promise you that under the skin, they share the same bones. You can see a few details like the common indicator repeater lamp on the fender and the wheelbase, and if you peek inside, things like the pedal assembly and overall interior dimensions, but overall it’s remarkable how much differentiation Nissan managed from these two cars.
Under the hood, which is bounded by those wonderfully bonkers black aero strake-things, things get even more different. The MA09 engine is still tiny – in fact, at 930cc, somehow tinier than the 987cc version in the Pao – but it’s both turbo- and supercharged, and makes an astounding 110 hp! Think about that! Way more than 100/liter from some crazy tiny hatchback! And it still weighs under 1700 pounds!
It’s over double the horsepower of the Pao! I bet this thing is an absolute monster to drive. I love it. Has anyone crammed this engine into a Pao? Oh man. I’d be dead or in jail. I’d better stick to 52 hp.
Jason, those were sold in Japan. Obviously someone crammed that engine into a Pao.
You could purchase and drive one in Gran Turismo 2 on the PlayStation.
It was cheap, readily-available and as per usual GT style could be hugely bumped-up in terms of power-to-weight, making it a very competitive little giant-killer early on in your career. Highly recommend trying it if you’re able to play the game!
This picture looks like the march of time from retro to cyber.
Mighty Car Mods had one of those honkers a few years ago. Fitting two average size Aussies into that looked, well, good thing they’re decent friends.
So I am guessing the black hood strakes are designed to keep the rear wheels on the ground at speeds over 23 mph. Or as Tornado mitigation devices? Or to keep the bears at bay?
My 93 integra could of used some. Did a top speed run and found out that my rears lost contact with the road at 132-133 indicated. Very unfunny experience. Under the bumper diffusers don’t look stupid to me after that day. Did manage not to die or get incarcerated, so maybe I’m luckier than Jason thinks he is
Could of?
Just saw a whole shed-load of Paos, and, I believe (was sensory overload, so can’t be 100%) a fair few March Supers at Duncan* a couple weeks back. Damn glad I didn’t/kinda wish I had brought the checkbook. Met the proprietor out front-super nice and inviting. First thing I saw was a V12 E-series, then rows of Autozams. 62 Chevy II, 64 Rambler wagon, 74 Pinto woody Wagon….
sorry to hijack-I’m still geekin
the March would be an absolute blast with that tiny footprint & power to weight ratio
*I highly recommend an hour or two there. No pressure to buy anything/very welcoming. Don’t wear anything with external metal, as rows are tight. I won’t take any young children there as they’d be difficult to corral among all the cute little cars
When I bought my Be-1 back in 2019, the place I bought it from was also selling a March Super Turbo engine, and I was very tempted to buy it. It wasn’t even unreasonably expensive, but I decided the swap was beyond my ability and figured it would be better to get the car to the US first before already planning an engine swap. I sold the Be-1 a little over a year later, so I never got the opportunity to consider it again.
Ah, I saw this picture being taken – I should have taken a picture of the picture!
The laws of the Universe says “No pictures of anything really exist, unless you there is a picture of the first picture being taken.” BTW, that car is pretty cool.
The black speed strakes AND the Heroes turbofans!!!!!!!!! swoon
930cc to stay underneath the 1.3-liter barrier with the 1.4 Turbo Factor – although no matter how I try, 930 x 1.4 = 1302. Actually it’s worse – 66mm bore and 68mm stroke makes 930.57cc, which is 1302.8cc. FIA, please take notice.
Also: https://www.ebay.com/itm/255913012417
The 66mm and 68mm might also be rounded, so, technically there’s still room for it to be at/under 1300.
Was that used engine rescued from the bottom of the ocean? Corrosion!
“I bet this thing is an absolute monster to drive.”
The only time this has ever been said about a 110hp hatchback.
I can only imagine it’s true, though. You could squeeze three stocky passengers into the Super Turbo, clown-car-style, and it’d still have a better power-to-weight ratio than my Booberry.
Having owned a Suzuki Swift GT with 100HP (granted bigger 1.3 and no forced induction), I would replace monster with very athletic. And fun.
I don’t ever recall being mean enough to put someone in the back seat, though.
If it weighs less than a ton, then 100HP is enough to make it fun.
(I didn’t intend for that to rhyme, but now I’m proud)
Dead or in jail, eh?
I still think this needs to happen.
Can bail money/funeral costs be written off as a business expense?
Is that a March or the ultra-rare and exotic Pao Grand Sport?
Seeing the Super Turbo’s big-eyed Totoro face is going to make me rewatch the Mighty Car Mods “Turbos & Temples 2” ep yet again.
HONK