The Nissan Saurus, known in Japan as the Nissan Zaurusu, was a concept car built as an open two-seat sports barchetta. Its name alluded to dinosaurs, though at just 330 cm long it was far from matching the scale the reference implies. Its design paralleled that of the Mazda MX-04, shown at the same time, and its creators aimed to combine the character of a mid-engined sports car with the "playful spirit" of a motorcycle.
The car had only a low, racing-style windscreen ahead of driver and passenger, with a flat, forward-sloping front hood set between motorcycle-like fenders. These fenders, along with the front bumper and the similarly semi-exposed rear fenders, were finished in a dark contrasting color. Deeply cut-out doors reinforced the open-air feel, and the overall height of just 85 cm gave a driving position reminiscent of the Lotus Seven and its replicas. A small structure behind the seats and two air slots ahead of the rear fenders were the only visual hints of its mid-mounted engine.
Power came from a 988 cc four-cylinder MA10ET engine, the same unit used to drive the front wheels of the Nissan March/Micra, but in the Saurus it was fitted with a mechanical supercharger and drove the rear wheels. Tires measured 185/60 R14. The interior featured sport instruments and shaped seats with upholstery extending into the door panels and center tunnel. The wheelbase measured 223 cm, with track widths of 137/140 cm.
