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NEWS
Nissan unveils ‘urban rally car'
New EXTREM concept revealed as Nissan shows a pint-sized Micra-based crossoverNissan has used the weekend’s 27th Sao Paulo International Motor Show to reveal what it describes as “a new genre of urban compact sportscar”, the EXTREM concept.
Based on the same V-platform as Nissan’s smallest passenger car, the Micra, the EXTREM is a crossover between compact SUV and sportscar, and is even smaller than the Dualis and upcoming Juke.
At 2450mm, its wheelbase is also 20mm shorter than that of the Volkswagen Taigun concept, which also made its world debut in Brazil yesterday, although it’s longer (3850mm), wider (1765mm) and higher (1530mm) than Nissan’s global city-car.
Officially only a concept, the two-door EXTREM features a raised ride height, rear-sloping roofline, supercar-style bodyside scoops, wraparound glass, floating roof rails, transparent A-pillars, detached C-pillars and an aggressive front-end design featuring cues from both the Juke and Micra, which was recently launched in Brazil.
At least some of those elements will find their way onto future production cars from Nissan, but it’s believed that if it is well received in Brazil the EXTREM will morph into a compact three-door crossover for Brazil, other developing markets and perhaps even established markets like Australia, where compact SUV sales continue to boom.
“Although strictly a concept car with no immediate plans for production, elements of EXTREM's styling offers a glimpse into future Nissan products, for Brazil and beyond,” said Nissan.
Nissan says the EXTREM is its first concept designed and built in and specifically for Brazil, but much of the styling work was done by the Japanese company’s San Diego design studio in the US. Some of its design cues can also be seen in the larger, boxier TeRRA fuel-cell concept that debuted at last month’s Paris show.
Described as exotic yet attainable and both rugged and agile, the 2+2-seat EXTREM is said to be a “tough little street fighter” or “urban rally car” aimed at young Brazilian urbanites. Other design elements include LED headlights and tail-lights, embossed aluminium skid plates, a central rear exhaust outlet, six-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels and exclusive 'Solar Cortex' exterior paint.
“Brazil is a country of great natural beauty and it has a passionate, rich culture. But this is not always reflected in the cars on its streets, especially the more affordable locally produced vehicles which tend to be conservative in design, colour and specification,” said Nissan’s Senior Vice-President and Chief Creative Officer, Shiro Nakamura.
“EXTREM, with a dynamic, high-character design, is far from conservative. It was created to appeal to the country's growing band of city-based young professionals who are passionate about design and want to make a personal statement. The lightweight two-door 2+2 has a dynamic stance, fresh surfacing and a clear rugged ability to tackle the urban jungle every day.
“EXTREM suggests that exotic and exciting design need not just be reserved for expensive cars. It shows that innovative, sophisticated design can be made in a clever, attainable way. EXTREM is one of our answers to this possibility and it opens an exciting new chapter in our design relationship with Brazil,” said Mr Nakamura.
The EXTREM is powered by Nissan’s direct-injection turbocharged (DIG-T) 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, a version of which powers the company’s DeltaWing experimental Le Mans racer. Although the concept is front-wheel drive, Nissan said it could also be fitted with a four-wheel drive system with Torque Vectoring.
Nissan says the EXTREM also underlines its commitment to the emerging Brazilian market, in which it doubled sales last year with a two per cent market share. Nissan aims to snare five per cent of all new car buyers there by 2016, by which time it will have introduced eight new models and extended its dealer network from 153 to 239 outlets in Brazil.
Nissan will also commence production of 200,000 vehicles annually at a new plant in Resende, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, by mid-2014. It has produced vehicles at São José dos Pinhais in Parana since 2002.
“We have created EXTREM to show how serious we are about Brazil,” said Nissan Brazil President, Christian Meunier. “EXTREM is provocative, energetic and engaging and it reflects the passion, innovation and excitement we put into all our cars.”
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Written byMarton Pettendy
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