Mitsuoka Viewt
| Mitsuoka Viewt | |
|---|---|
 K12 Viewt | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mitsuoka |
| Also called | Nissan March Nissan Micra |
| Production | 1993–present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Supermini retro-style |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
The Mitsuoka Viewt is a modification of the Nissan March/Micra sold by the Japanese automaker Mitsuoka, intended to resemble the 1963 Jaguar Mark 2.[1] The line was launched in January 1993 and over the course of its production over 12,000 have been sold.[2] It, along with Mitsuoka's later Galue, encouraged larger Japanese manufacturers to produce retro-styled versions of their own cars such as the "Flying Pug" version of the Mitsubishi Pajero Junior.[citation needed]
K11 Viewt[]
The first Viewt, introduced in January 1993, was produced on the basis of the K11 March. The March's hatchback was replaced by a fixed rear window and rounded boot, and the front grille and headlamp assembly was replaced by one closely resembling that of the Jaguar Mark II. In standard form the interior was much the same as the March's, but leather seats and wood trim could be added at extra cost.
The Viewt shared its 1.0- and 1.3-litre engines with the March. It was originally available with manual or automatic transmissions; later more luxurious editions were automatic-only.
Changes to the March were usually echoed in the Viewt; for example, when the March received a new dashboard the Viewt had it too, with a new wood kit. After the March convertible was introduced in 1997, Mitsuoka developed a Viewt convertible which used the Jaguar-style front but had a unique built-out rear.
K12 Viewt[]
When the March was updated (becoming the K12) Mitsuoka produced a new Viewt, which first appeared in September 2005. The changes in the style of the March are evident to some extent in the new Viewt: for example, the shape of the rear door has changed and the cabin appears rounder. However, Mitsuoka have persisted with their Jaguar-style front and rear. The only two-door version is the 12SR, which is based on the March 12SR.
Like the March, the new Viewt is available with 1.2-, 1.4- and 1.5-litre engines, with automatic or manual transmissions.[3] The interior resembles the March's; leather seats are optionally available. The 12SR version uses some of the March 12SR's interior decoration, such as carbon fibre inserts on the dashboard.
Significance of the Viewt[]
Mitsuoka's adaptation of Jaguar styling themes to an already-popular car[citation needed] gave Mitsuoka a boost in publicity, which allowed it to satisfy the conditions to be recognised as a car manufacturer.[citation needed]
After the Viewt, other manufacturers modified the March to resemble either some particular classic car (e.g. several models resembling the Vanden Plas Princess 1100) or classic cars in general (Autech's March Tango and Bolero, and Nissan Taiwan's Verita).[citation needed]
External links[]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mitsuoka Viewt. |
- Official Mitsuoka Global page
- Mitsuoka Viewt (in Japanese)
References[]
- ^ "Mitsuoka brings some (very expensive) Japanese quirkiness to the London Motor Show". newatlas.com. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
- ^ Lyon, Peter. "Little-Known Mitsuoka Motors Is Japan's Best Kept Car Secret, But It's Coming To The West". Forbes. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
- ^ "Jaguar MkII meets Nissan Micra in the Mitsuoka Viewt | Autocar". www.autocar.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
- Mitsuoka vehicles
- Retro-style automobiles
- Cars introduced in 1993
- 2000s cars
- 2010s cars