Nissan to build sporty crossover in the UK

By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

03 June 2008 10:33

Nissan has announced it will build an all-new car in the UK from 2010, and released a sketch to whet our appetites. The model is an addition to Nissan’s current range and is described as an ‘innovative all-new compact car’.

The new car is expected to be a crossover model, with Nissan previously having stated it wishes to expand its line-up beyond Qashqai, Qashqai+2 and the forthcoming Murano. According to Nissan sources it will be a more sporting take on the company’s current range of crossovers, with design inspiration coming from the 2006 Urge concept (pictured, far right).

However, company officials confirmed to CAR Online that Nissan has yet to show any concept that gives us genuine hints towards the size and shape of the final production car. To remedy this a concept is expected early in 2009, almost certainly at the Geneva motor show. 

The announcement of the new car was made today as prime minister Gordon Brown toured Nissan’s London-based European Design Centre with company president and CEO Carlos Ghosn. Gordon Brown said: ‘I'm pleased to welcome Nissan's new investment in the UK. Today's announcement that a brand new car is to be designed and built in the UK is another important boost to our manufacturing industry.’

The new car will be built at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in 2010, once production of the current Micra comes to an end. Manufacturer of the new Micra will switch to Chennai, India, and four other low-cost plants around the world. The next Micra will be built on an all-new platform that will also sire two other new small vehicles. 

What do you think Nissan should build in the UK? The Urge concept, a Focus or Mondeo rival, or maybe an S-Max equivalent? Click 'Add your comment' below and have your say.

By Ben Pulman