Nissan Polo - a model that often causes confusion among car enthusiasts. Unlike Volkswagen Polo, this car was never mass produced under the brand Nissan, but there are unique versions created on the basis of other platforms. In this article we have collected all available photos Nissan Polo, including rare prototypes, restyled versions and modifications for local markets.
If you are looking for images of a specific generation or want to compare the design with analogues, here you will find a detailed analysis of the exterior and interior. We will also reveal the secret of the origin of the name "Polo" in the Nissan line, which is associated with the company’s partnership with Volkswagen Group in the 90s.
1. Model history: why did Nissan release the Polo?
Title Nissan Polo appeared as a result joint project with Volkswagen in the early 1990s. At that time, the companies collaborated to develop small cars for the European market. The first prototypes were based on the platform VW Polo Mk2, but with a unique body design and logo Nissan.
Officially serial Nissan Polo never went on sale - the project was canceled due to a change in brand strategy. However, several prototypes have survived, and photos of them periodically appear at classic car auctions. Below you will see real pictures these rare cars.
- 🔹 1991 - first sketches Nissan Polo based on VW Polo Mk2.
- 🔹 1993 — presentation of the prototype at the Geneva Motor Show.
- 🔹 1995 — the project is closed, but 3 pre-production copies have been preserved.
⚠️ Attention: On the secondary market they often sell counterfeits Nissan Polo, re-gluing the emblems onto regular ones Volkswagen Polo. Check the VIN code and vehicle history!
2. Exterior photo: how to distinguish a Nissan Polo from a VW Polo?
Externally Nissan Polo different from the original VW Polo Mk2 the following details:
- 🚗 Radiator grille - vertical slats instead of horizontal ones.
- 🚗 Headlights — rectangular in shape with integrated turn signals.
- 🚗 Bumper - more massive, with chrome inserts.
- 🚗 Wheel arches - extended for installing disks
14".
The photo below shows a comparison of the front Nissan Polo (left) and VW Polo Mk2 (right):
| Detail | Nissan Polo | VW Polo Mk2 |
|---|---|---|
| Headlight shape | Rectangular | Round/oval |
| Radiator grille | Vertical strips | Horizontal strips |
| Tail lights | LED inserts | Обычные лампы |
| Wheels | 14" or 15" |
13" |
Please note rear part of the body: y Nissan Polo the bumper had an integrated fog lamp, and the license plate was located on the left (as on Japanese cars). This was done to test the model in Asian markets.
- I like it very much
- Too similar to VW
- Interesting but outdated
- I don't know what it is
3. Interior: photo of the interior and finishing features
Salon Nissan Polo almost completely copied VW Polo Mk2, but with a few unique elements:
- 🪑 Steering wheel — with logo Nissan and 4 knitting needles (at VW - 3 knitting needles).
- 🪑 Dashboard — digital speedometer (optional for top versions).
- 🪑 Center console — climate control with touch buttons.
- 🪑 Seats — fabric upholstery with a signature “wave” pattern.
The photo of the interior shows that ergonomics was developed better than the basic one VW Polo. For example, the gearshift lever had a leather braid, and the armrest was height-adjustable. Below is a comparison of dashboards:
Please note instrument lighting: y Nissan Polo she was blue color (y VW - green). This was done for better readability at night.
Where can you see Nissan Polo now?
One of the prototypes is kept at the Nissan Museum in Yokohama (Japan). The second copy was sold at auction in 2018 for $45,000. The third is rumored to be in a private collection in Germany.
4. Specifications: what's under the hood?
Under the hood Nissan Polo engines were installed from Volkswagen, but with modifications by engineers Nissan:
- 🔧 1.3 l (55 hp) — basic version with carburetor.
- 🔧 1.4 l (75 hp) - injection engine with system
EFI. - 🔧 1.6 L GTi (100 hp) — sports modification (only 2 copies).
Gearboxes were offered to choose from:
- 🔄 5-speed manual transmission (standard).
- 🔄 3-speed automatic (optional for Japanese market).
| Parameter | Nissan Polo 1.4 | VW Polo 1.4 |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 75 hp at 5800 rpm | 75 hp at 5500 rpm |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h | 12.8 s |
13.2 s |
| Max. speed | 165 km/h |
160 km/h |
| Fuel consumption | 6.2 l/100 km | 6.5 l/100 km |
A unique feature of the Nissan Polo is the brake force distribution (EBD) system, which appeared 3 years earlier than that of Volkswagen.. This was an innovative solution for small cars of that time.
☑️ How to check the authenticity of a Nissan Polo?
5. Rare modifications: photos of unique versions
In addition to the basic version, there were several exclusive modifications Nissan Polo:
- 🏁 Polo GTi - sports version with motor
1.6 l (100 hp)and body kit from Nismo. - 🚐 Polo Van - commercial van without rear seats (only 1 prototype).
- ⚡ Polo Electric - electric car with batteries NiCd (power reserve - 120 km).
In the photo below - Nissan Polo GTi in the only surviving copy. Please note:
- 🔴 Red instep supports on brake discs.
- 🔴Spoiler on the trunk lid.
- 🔴Leather seats with logo Nismo.
Electric version Polo Electric was created to test technologies Nissan Leaf. Her photos are extremely rare - only 5 photographs are known to have been taken, one of which is presented in the archive Nissan Heritage Collection.
If you find a photo of a Nissan Polo on the Internet, check the EXIF data of the image. Often fakes have a filming date later than 1995 (when the project was closed).
6. Comparison with modern analogues: which is better?
If you are interested Nissan Polo As a collector's item, it is worth comparing it with modern small cars:
| Model | Nissan Polo (1993) | Nissan Micra (2023) | VW Polo (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.4 l (75 hp) | 1.0 l (92 hp) | 1.0 l (95 hp) |
| Box | 5 manual transmission / 3 automatic transmission | 5 manual transmission / CVT | 5 manual transmission / 7DSG |
| Fuel consumption | 6.2 l/100 km | 4.8 l/100 km | 5.1 l/100 km |
| Price (new) | N/A (prototype) | from 1,200,000 ₽ | from 1,400,000 ₽ |
Of course, in terms of technical characteristics, modern Nissan Micra And VW Polo superior 1990s Nissan Polo. However collection value the latter is disproportionately higher - today a prototype can cost up to $100,000 at auctions.
If you need a reliable city car, choose Micra or Polo. If you are a collector - Nissan Polo will become a real pearl of your collection.
Nissan Polo is not a production model, but a historical artifact. Its purchase requires careful examination and authentication.
7. Where can I find high quality photos of Nissan Polo?
If you are looking original photos Nissan Polo for a collection or article, we recommend the following sources:
- 📷 Nissan Heritage Archive — official press photos of the prototypes.
- 📷 Auction sites (RM Sotheby’s, Bonhams) - photos of lots with detailed shots.
- 📷 Classic car forums (For example, Japanese Nostalgic Car).
- 📷 YouTube — video reviews of rare specimens (channels Petrolicious, Hagerty).
When downloading photos, pay attention to:
- 🔍 Resolution - the originals have at least
3000×2000 px. - 🔍 Watermarks - they are not in the official photos.
- 🔍 EXIF data - must contain information about a camera from the 1990s.
⚠️ Attention: Many photos Nissan Polo on the Internet is a photomontage based on VW Polo. Check the body parts (see section 2)!
8. Future of the model: will Nissan Polo return?
In 2023, rumors appeared in the press about a possible revival of the name "Polo" in the lineup Nissan. According to insiders, the company is considering the option of issuing electric hatchback under this name for the European market.
Estimated characteristics of the new Nissan Polo EV:
- 🔋 Battery:
50 kWh(power reserve350 km). - ⚡ Power:
150 hp(front wheel drive). - 🔌 Charging: support
CCS Combo(up to 80% in 30 minutes).
If the project is implemented, a new Nissan Polo will become a direct competitor VW ID.3 And Renault Zoe. There are no official photos yet, but the designers have already prepared the first sketches - it is expected that the car will inherit the features Nissan Ariya, but in a compact format.
Follow the official Nissan account on Twitter (@Nissan) - they are the first to publish teasers of new models.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
❓ How many copies of Nissan Polo were produced?
It was officially collected 3 pre-production copies (1993–1995) and about 10 prototypes for testing. Serial production was not carried out.
❓Where can you buy a Nissan Polo today?
Prototypes rarely appear for sale. Last time Nissan Polo GTi was sold at auction RM Sotheby’s in 2018 for $45,000. Follow specialized sites:
❓ How is Nissan Polo different from Volkswagen Polo?
Main differences:
- 🔹 Front design (radiator grille, headlights).
- 🔹 Logos on the steering wheel, hood and trunk.
- 🔹 Dashboard lighting (blue instead of green).
- 🔹 Availability of a system
EBD(y VW Polo Mk2 she wasn't there).
❓ Are there replicas of Nissan Polo?
Yes, some craftsmen remake VW Polo Mk2 under Nissan Polo, replacing:
- 🔧 Emblems on the body and steering wheel.
- 🔧 Radiator grill (install vertical bars).
- 🔧 Rear lights (sometimes modified for LEDs).
You can distinguish a replica by its VIN code (for the original it starts with JN1...) and build quality.
❓ Will the new Nissan Polo be electric?
According to the latest data, Nissan is really considering releasing electric hatchback called Polo. It is expected that:
- 🔋 The car will receive a platform CMF-B EV (like Renault 5 E-Tech).
- 🔋 Power reserve will be
350–400 kmaccording to the WLTP cycle. - 🔋 Start of sales is possible no earlier
2026.
There is no official confirmation yet, but patent images have already appeared in the database EUIPO.