Pay for the picture
The Nissan Micra was several times an excellent basis for a creative splurge for the Japanese. Then we think, for example, of the creations of Mitsuoka, but Nissan itself was also able to do something about it. This Nissan Figaro is living proof of that.
In Japan it is quite popular in some car circles to incorporate classic and especially European influences into a model. The most famous example is perhaps Mitsuoka. You probably know that from the Viewt, a Micra that somewhat convulsively tries to imitate a Jaguar Mk2. Just a few months ago, Mitsuoka presented the Viewt Story, showing that it still masters this ‘art’, only now it takes the Toyota Yaris as a base. Also striking is the Mazda MX-5 based Himiko, a kind of Morgan-esque roadster.
OK, we digress. Back to the Nissan Micra. Not only Mitsuoka tinkered with it in the 90s, but also Nissan itself. Even earlier, because Nissan presented the Figaro in 1989 and the Viewt only came four years later. The Nissan Figaro was also enthroned on an older basis, because it shared its technology with the Micra of the K10 generation. The rather angular design of the first Micra was no longer visible in the Figaro, in contrast to the older retro brothers of the Figaro, the Be-1 and the Pao. The Figaro got a fairly rounded body, with which Nissan clearly harked back to cars from the 1950s and 1960s.
Nissan Figaro
Fortunately, the copy that is now for sale also includes some clear interior photos. You can clearly see that it is also a retro party in the interior of the Figaro. The ventilation grille and the automatic control reveal its real age, it also looks with the simple three-spoke steering wheel, the slides for the temperature control and the old school radio with rotary knobs nice and classic. Incidentally, there are things that you did not have to expect in the 1950s, such as electrically operated windows and a CD player. More pampering? Yes, you can also drive the Figaro half open. The roof partly consists of a hood that can be folded away. When it finally gets a little good spring…
The Figaro is indeed a very packaged Micra, but one with an engine that you did not find in the European Micra. In the nose is a 76 hp 1.0 turbo engine that sends its power to the front wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission. Undoubtedly enough power to get the Figaro, which weighs only 810 kilograms, still spry from its place, although of course you should not expect miracles from it. The latter also applies to how it continues to drive, because it is and remains a pretty simple and old car under the skin. The latter is also something that you should see as an important side note with the asking price of €7,450; you really pay for the picture. You may wonder if that is worth that much.
.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl