DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Three reveals and a fragrance from Nissan

Nissan will use next week's Detroit motor show to reveal a concept that's believed to preview its next-generation Murano, but the big star of the Japanese brand's Motown exhibit could be an all-new fragrance, created by Australian "scent solutions company" Air Aroma.

In what could help mask the stench of BO from hundreds of sweaty automotive journalists, the scent - dubbed "thé vert oriental" - will be sporadically sprayed throughout the artfully designed Nissan stand at North America's largest motor show and is part of a new strategy to associate a specific smell with the brand.

The questionable tactic, which has long been employed in the dealerships of luxury brands including Lexus, aims to create an association between Nissan and the smell in the minds of customers.

The car-maker is so keen on the perfume, which it describes as a calming green tea-infused aroma familiar during the Chinese spring harvest, it is understood some elements within the company want Nissan dealerships to begin spraying the odour in its showrooms too.

If the plan catches on, new Nissans could in future be fitted with small reservoirs of thé vert oriental in the hope it will create a subconscious link between driver and car.

As well as its whiffy new marketing idea, Nissan will aim to stimulate other senses at the North American International Motor Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, including the sense of touch with its interactive 'Innovation Wall', which makes use of Xbox Kinect technology.

Traditionalists will be delighted to know that cars will also be on the Nissan stand at Detroit, where at least one world debut has been confirmed in the form of an unnamed upmarket SUV concept, which is rumoured to preview the design of the next-generation Murano.

Nissan promises a design as interesting as that of the original Murano, which was succeeded by the second-generation Murano here in January 2009.

Expect the production version of the next Murano, which is not due on sale until 2014 but should be unveiled by the end of this year, to be heavily influenced by the fuel cell-powered Terra concept from the 2012 Paris motor show (pictured).

Nissan has also confirmed an "all-new subcompact hatchback" will be shown alongside the SUV show car in Detroit.

It's possible the new model will be the Micra, which is not yet available in the US market, where the smallest Nissan hatchback currently on sale is the Versa hatch - a sedan version of which, the Almera, is sold in Australia.

The one-off gold edition Nissan GT-R which has been purchased by an Australian motorist will also be on display, as will the 2013 Altima - which is coming to Australia later this year.

While the brand's next Pathfinder, also earmarked for Australia this year, will be on show too, Nissan will also unveil an updated version of its LEAF EV featuring a larger 6.6kW charger that reduces total charging time by nearly half, to around four hours.

Other LEAF upgrades include a new, more efficient heating system and a new drive mode, which increases regenerative braking during deceleration to enhance energy recovery.

There will also be subtle body revisions to improve aerodynamic and energy efficiency, while the 2013 LEAF interior will come with a leather-clad steering wheel, a new black upholstery option and, for North America's range-topping SL variant, more standard equipment including leather trim and 17-inch alloy wheels.

A new entry-level S version has also been introduced in the US, where Nissan this week ramped up production of the LEAF, which has notched up 50,000 sales in two years, including 19,500 in the US.

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