Nissan set on micro SUV
Sub-Dualis model due for unveiling at Geneva motor show ahead of production model in 2011Nissan will display its new micro SUV at this year's Geneva motor show. The production-ready show car demonstrates what the small crossover model will look like when it is introduced to markets in 2011-2012.
Nissan showed its Qazana concept at the previous Geneva show, using a similar name to its production Qashqai model -- sold here as the Dualis. However for this year's event Nissan has decided on a new name -- Juke -- for the mini SUV.
The show car maintains Nissan's styling direction for its softroaders, adopting the mid-size Murano's form for the wheelarches. It also features more than a few styling cues to influence the updates for the new Dualis.
The refreshed Dualis sports extensively redesigned front end for the 2010 model year version and Nissan claims it is also more aerodynamic with the coefficient of drag now 0.33 (down from 0.34Cd).
Meanwhile the sub-Dualis SUV "has been conceived to challenge conventional wisdom about what buyers of small five-door cars should expect," according to the maker.
Nissan released a teaser image of the micro SUV when it announced the new model's name early January but these renderings by Carparazzi appear close to the mark of what we can expect to see at Geneva.
The brand believes offering a model to sit between Micra and Dualis will attract customers looking for "an alternative to the traditional small hatchback". It will be the fourth crossover from the brand for markets such as Europe.
Nissan intends launching the Juke as part of its future new-model strategies in 2011, with an electric version reportedly also being considered. It has also been suggested the micro SUV could be built at the Sunderland plant in the UK, home of the current Nissan Micra.
On Micra: the Light car is also due for an update and Nissan has applied its new global V platform -- used for its B-segment cars including Tiida -- for the new model. The next-gen Micra will be built at Nissan plants including India and Thailand.
The MY2010-11 Micra is expected in local showrooms during the fourth quarter this year.
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