Nissan Extrem: It’s a Micra Urban Crossover

The Nissan Extrem Concept has been revealed in Brazil as an urban crossover based on the Micra platform. The Extrem is, say Nissan, an ‘Urban Rally Car’ designed to be a tough street fighter and penned by Nissan Design in San Diego specifically for the Brazilian market. Based on the underpinnings of the Micra, the Extrem is 3850mm long and 1760mm wide and is, although it’s hard to judge in the photos, a chunk smaller than the Nissan’s current smallest crossover, the Juke.

2010 LA Design Challenge entrants revealed

Entries for the 2010 Los Angeles Design Challenge have now been revealed. The futuristic proposals, which called for designers to envision a 1000lbs (454kg) 2+2 vehicle that delivers comfort, safety and satisfactory driving performance without sacrificing the emotional connection today's consumers demand from their vehicles, come from the west coast design studios of seven automakers – General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Toyota and Volvo. For the first time since the Challenge's inception, studios outside California have also been allowed to enter the competition.

Concept Car of the Week: Pontiac Pursuit (1987)

Wheels are an essential element of car design. They contribute graphically by adding a level a rhythm and details. They can also dramatically affect the impression of power and luxury, and even improve aerodynamic performance.