Nissan Invitation concept car (2012) first pictures

Nissan will unveil the new Invitation concept car at the 2012 Geneva motor show. It's a vision of what the company's B-segment tallboy could become. Yes, it's a snapshot of a future Nissan Note.

The Japanese say 'the Invitation concept underlines Nissan's commitment to the compact car segment,' indicating that they aren't going to abandon every conventional bodystyle for another crossover.

The Invitation will join the Micra hatch and Juke compact SUV in the B-segment. Effectively, this will replace the Note.

In spring 2013, in Europe at least.

It's a much less slabby-sided affair than the Note. And take note of the body sculpting; there are swooshes and slashes aplenty, Nissan even naming the scalloped flanks 'the Squash Line'.

Looks a bit like Vauxhall/Opel's scooped-out line on the side of an Astra or Insignia.

François Bancon, deputy division general manager of product strategy and product planning division - that's one helluva of a business card - said: 'The name we have given to this concept is self-explanatory… the key benefit of this compact car is to be inviting.

'It is inviting thanks to its sensuous exterior design and generous and comfortable interior space, cleverly packaged within compact overall dimensions. It is Nissan’s invitation to buyers in the compact hatchback segment.'

The Invitation uses the Renault-Nissan B-segment architecture and Nissan says it is targeting a sub-100g/km CO2 rating.

Big car features will be available, including Nissan's Around View Monitor (its first appearance on a car in this sector).

By Tim Pollard