By Dan Trent
07 March 2009 20:19:12

Micra replacement debuts at Nissan

Want to see Nissan’s next generation supermini? Well, the Qazana concept here at Geneva offers a first glimpse.
Developed in the UK and due to be built at Nissan’s Sunderland factory from 2010 it’s good news for British workers.

GALLERY: Nissan at the Geneva Motor Show 2009

VIDEO: watch our film of Nissan at the Geneva show
Nissan Qanza (Image © Microsoft/Magiccarpics)
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It may be even better news for the motoring public. Nissan has unveiled the Qazana as a broadside aimed firmly at the rest of the motor industry: “Cars have been dull for too long. Mainstream machines might perform perfectly from A to B... but sometimes drivers want to take the non-conformist route...”
 
This goes on – apparently the “Qazana shows that mind-numbing motoring could be a thing of the past.” And, actually, just look at this thing – Nissan may be absolutely right. Heavily influenced by the success of the Qashqai, the Qazana takes the supermini to new crossover heights.
Nissan Qanza (Image © Microsoft/Magiccarpics)
That huge amount of suspension travel is unlikely to make production. But don't think for a minute that Nissan is messing around here. Although officially be a “design study”, Nissan has done nothing but drop hints that this is a significant clue to what the production Qazana will look like.
 
Design highlights include a headlamp array like a rally car on a night stage, thin windows running the length of the roof, and an interior inspired by motorbikes – check out the fuel tank centre console – full of exposed carbon fibre, metal and leather. A curious decision for a non-motorbike maker, but it looks stunning.
 
Nissan Qanza (Image © Microsoft/Magiccarpics)
The windscreen is designed to resemble the visor of a crash helmet. The dashboard essentially consists of a single monitor display. The running gear is next generation ALL MODE four-wheel drive, while access to the back of the cabin is via Mazda RX-8 style rear hinged doors.
 
Details like that are unlikely to make the production version, which will be finalised over the coming months and eventually be built on the Micra/Note line at Sunderland. But whatever the Qazana eventually ends up like, it seems certain to bring new drama and choice to small car buyers.
Nissan 370Z
Geneva is also the European debut for the magnificent 370Z. And though it has hints of GT-R in its styling this is very much a classic Z-car, boasting a classic rear-drive chassis and grunty 331hp 3.7-litre V6 engine. A nifty self-blipping manual gearbox is among the new features, smoothing out manual shifts for maximum speed and smoothness.
 
The sub-£30K starting price makes the 370Z a very tempting proposition too, especially compared with the £40K-plus Audi TT RS also making its debut here at the Swiss show. It also significantly undercuts the Porsche Cayman, the introduction of a seven-speed auto from Nissanfs luxury brand Infiniti broadening the Zfs appeal further.
GT-R SpecV
Speaking of the supercar-crushing Nissan GT-R, Geneva also represents the European debut of the GT-R SpecV – an ultra-expensive limited edition that features a unique boost controller to increase acceleration at higher speeds while also using less fuel. It comes only in black, and has just two seats.
 
Think of it as a junior Bentley Continental Supersports. There's plenty of carbon-fibre and a titanium coated exhaust included, too. But its appearance here is a bit of a surprise, since the SpecV is currently only available in Japan – where it went on sale last week for an eye-watering £114,000.
Cube and Pixo
Reflecting the diversity within the Nissan range, the next-generation Cube is also here. Due on sale in Europe later this year, this all-new Cube hopes to build on a cult following for grey-imported examples of the current Japanese-spec model. Power will come from a 106hp particulate filter equipped diesel or a 111hp 1.6 petrol.  
 
There's also the Pixo city car, which shares an Indian production line with the new Suzuki Alto also here on show. After debuting at Paris Nissan has confirmed sales will start soon. Music loving X-Trail buyers will meanwhile be delighted to hear of a new custom developed Bose stereo due on the options list soon.

VIDEO: watch our film of Nissan at the Geneva show
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Geneva Motor Show 2009 - your vote

  1. Which car unveiled at Geneva would you most like to see on your driveway?

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  1. Which car unveiled at Geneva would you most like to see on your driveway?
    1. Aston Martin One-77
      33%
    2. Audi TT RS
      6%
    3. Bentley Supersports
      5%
    4. BMW 5 Series GT
      4%
    5. Ferrari 599XX
      10%
    6. Fiat 500 Cabriolet
      2%
    7. Lamborghini LP670-4SV
      18%
    8. Lexus RX450h
      2%
    9. Mazda 3 MPS
      1%
    10. New Mercedes-Benz E-Class
      4%
    11. Porsche 911 GT3
      5%
    12. Rolls-Royce 200EX
      4%
    13. Saab 93X
      1%
    14. Skoda Yeti
      2%
    15. Volkswagen Polo
      3%
30521 responses, results updated every minute.
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