1978 Nissan Cherry Coupe (N10) Dimensions, Size & Specs

Production
Model Year:1978
Production Years:1978 - 1982 discontinued in 1982
Useful Information

About 1978 Nissan Cherry Coupe

The Nissan Cherry Coupe N10, produced between 1978 and 1982, is a classic compact coupe that captured the spirit of late-1970s automotive design. As Nissan’s entry-level coupe in this era, the Cherry Coupe N10 was designed with a focus on efficient use of space and sporty appeal, featuring a sleek two-door body style that stood out in the compact car segment. Although exact dimensions varied slightly by market and trim, the typical size of the Nissan Cherry Coupe N10 featured an overall length of approximately 3.75 meters (147.6 inches), a width near 1.55 meters (61 inches), and a height around 1.30 meters (51.2 inches). This compact footprint not only contributed to easy maneuverability in urban settings but also provided a lightweight driving experience, which enhanced fuel economy and handling agility. Weighing roughly 850 kilograms (1874 pounds), the Cherry Coupe was relatively light, facilitating nimble performance with smaller displacement engines typical of the period. Inside, the compact dimensions translated into a cozy cabin suitable for up to four occupants, making it practical for daily commuting and casual driving while maintaining a sporty exterior profile. The Nissan Cherry Coupe N10 represents an important chapter in Nissan’s history of producing accessible and sporty compact vehicles, balancing size efficiency with style and performance. It remains a beloved model among vintage car enthusiasts looking for a classic coupe that offers both heritage and expressiveness in a modest package.

Exceptional Features

1978 Nissan Cherry Coupe Highlights

Discover the standout features that make the 1978 Nissan Cherry Coupe a leader in its class

Engine Options

The 1978 Nissan Cherry Coupe (N10) was typically offered with small displacement inline-four engines, such as the 1.2L A12 or 1.4L A14 engines, known for their fuel efficiency and reliability.

Compact Dimensions

As a subcompact model, the N10 Cherry Coupe featured a lightweight and compact design, making it ideal for urban driving and easy maneuverability.

Transmission Choices

The car came with a choice of a 4-speed manual or a 3-speed automatic transmission, catering to different driving preferences.

Distinctive Styling

The coupe version featured a sporty two-door body style with angular lines characteristic of late 1970s Japanese design, appealing to younger buyers.

Basic Interior Features

The interior was functional with essential instrumentation and comfortable seating for four, emphasizing simplicity and practicality.
Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

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The Nissan Cherry Coupe (N10), produced from 1978 to 1982, features compact dimensions typical of late 1970s subcompact coupes. The approximate length of the car is around 3,905 mm (153.7 inches), with a width of roughly 1,555 mm (61.2 inches) and a height near 1,315 mm (51.8 inches). These dimensions contribute to the car’s lightweight and agile nature, making it suitable for urban driving and easy maneuverability. Its modest size allowed it to fit well within the compact car market segment of its time.

The curb weight of the Nissan Cherry Coupe (N10) ranges approximately from 900 kg to 950 kg (1,984 to 2,094 lbs), depending on specific trim and market specifications. This relatively light weight for a coupe enables nimble handling and efficient fuel economy, which were key selling points during its production years. The low mass enhances acceleration and braking responsiveness, especially when paired with its small, economical engines. Overall, the curb weight supports the car’s sporty yet practical character in the subcompact coupe category.

The Nissan Cherry Coupe (N10) has a wheelbase measuring approximately 2,320 mm (91.3 inches). This moderate wheelbase length strikes a balance between maneuverability and stable ride quality. A shorter wheelbase typically improves cornering agility and makes the car easier to park in tight city spaces, which is fitting for a small coupe. However, while a compact wheelbase may cause a slightly choppier ride on rough roads compared to larger cars, the Cherry Coupe's suspension tuning was designed to optimize comfort for its size and class.

The fuel tank capacity of the Nissan Cherry Coupe (N10) is approximately 40 liters (10.6 US gallons). Given the car's efficient subcompact design and the small displacement engines typically used in this model, the vehicle could achieve impressive fuel economy, often around 7 to 9 liters per 100 kilometers (26 to 33 miles per gallon). This means the car’s driving range on a full tank could be roughly between 440 to 570 kilometers (270 to 350 miles), making it a practical choice for city and light suburban driving during its era.

As a compact two-door coupe, the Nissan Cherry Coupe (N10) offers a modest cargo capacity. While precise boot volume figures are limited, small coupes of this vintage typically had luggage space sufficient for everyday needs like groceries or a couple of small suitcases. Its rear seats could sometimes fold down, enhancing cargo flexibility. This made the Cherry Coupe practical for drivers looking for a sporty vehicle with reasonable storage for daily use, though it was not designed for heavy cargo hauling.

Yes, the Nissan Cherry Coupe (N10) can comfortably fit into a standard residential garage. Most standard garages are designed to accommodate cars up to about 6 meters (19.7 feet) in length and approximately 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in width. Given the Cherry Coupe’s compact length of roughly 3.9 meters (12.8 feet) and width around 1.55 meters (5.1 feet), there is ample space not only for the car but also some room for maneuvering or storage alongside the vehicle. Its small size makes it particularly suitable for tight urban garage spaces.

The Nissan Cherry Coupe (N10) was among the first generations of the Cherry model, effectively succeeding the early Datsun/Nissan 100A lineages. Compared to these predecessors, the N10 featured a more modern, slightly larger body design with improved aerodynamics and updated styling cues. Dimensional increases were subtle but purposeful, offering a bit more interior space and comfort while maintaining compact external dimensions suitable for urban driving. Overall, the N10 represented a notable evolution that balanced practicality with sportier aesthetics.

Dimensionally, the Nissan Cherry Coupe (N10) was typical among Japanese and European subcompact coupes of its era. Its length of approximately 3.9 meters (12.8 feet), width of around 1.55 meters (5.1 feet), and height near 1.32 meters (4.3 feet) place it on par with competitors such as the Toyota Corolla coupe, Honda Civic coupe, and Ford Fiesta two-door variants of that period. These cars were designed for efficiency and city driving, offering compact footprints combined with modest interior comfort. The Cherry Coupe stood out with its sporty styling and nimble performance relative to peers.

The Nissan Cherry Coupe (N10), produced from 1978 to 1982, embodied the practical yet sport-inspired ethos of late 1970s subcompacts. It featured a sleek two-door coupe body, a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout (a modern design shift at the time), and was available with efficient inline-four engines ranging from 1.2 to 1.5 liters. The car emphasized youthful styling with distinct angular lines and flared fenders. Its relatively light weight and compact size contributed to agile handling, making it popular among drivers seeking economy without sacrificing driving enjoyment.

The Nissan Cherry Coupe (N10) offers a cozy interior typical of two-door subcompact coupes in its generation. Seating was designed primarily for two adults comfortably, with a rear seat bench suitable for occasional passengers or children. Headroom and legroom are modest but sufficient for its class, with ergonomics focused on a driver-centric layout. While not spacious by modern standards, the car’s interior made efficient use of space, with tightly packaged controls and adequate visibility. Leather and cloth upholstery options varied by trim, enhancing comfort for its intended market.

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