Currently reading: Geneva motor show 2012: Nissan Invitation
The Nissan Invitation concept combines compact supermini dimensions with generous SUV cabin space

Nissan has unveiled the Nissan Invitation, a B-segment concept for the Geneva motor show that combines the cuteness, compactness and agility of a supermini with the generous cabin space of a baby SUV.

With the Nissan Invitation, the firm is signaling its plan to continue launching progressive crossover designs into Europe’s mainstream market sectors.

See official pictures of the Nissan Invitation

The new Nissan “previews a forthcoming mainstream model due in Europe in 2013”. Insiders say it is a more dynamic replacement for the sober but successful Micra-based Note.

When it hits production, the new Note will sell alongside the company’s funky Juke crossover and the economy-minded Micra hatchback to underscore Nissan’s commitment to the fast-expanding B-segment.

Nissan is promising an ultra-frugal version – likely to be powered by the supercharged 1.0-litre engine already used in the Micra – which will emit less than 100g/km of CO2. All versions will be eligible to wear Nissan’s Pure Drive badge, available only to the highest-efficiency models.

The Invitation concept, created in Japan, will be adapted for European production in Nissan’s design centre in Cranfield, Bedfordshire. It will have “a refreshingly open cabin” and have equipment rarely seen in this sector such as an Around View Monitor system, which uses four cameras to provide a ‘helicopter view’ useful for reversing and parallel parking.

The concept also incorporates Nissan’s Safety Shield system, which interacts with the driver to keep him or her aware of what is happening around the car.

Steve Cropley

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Steve Cropley

Steve Cropley Autocar
Title: Editor-in-chief

Steve Cropley is the oldest of Autocar’s editorial team, or the most experienced if you want to be polite about it. He joined over 30 years ago, and has driven many cars and interviewed many people in half a century in the business. 

Cropley, who regards himself as the magazine’s “long stop”, has seen many changes since Autocar was a print-only affair, but claims that in such a fast moving environment he has little appetite for looking back. 

He has been surprised and delighted by the generous reception afforded the My Week In Cars podcast he makes with long suffering colleague Matt Prior, and calls it the most enjoyable part of his working week.

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Dave Ryan 11 February 2012

Re: Nissan unveils Invitation concept

Pretty impressed with that, actually - it's a step forward over the Note and definitely an improvement on the new Micra (which I still can't warm to). May be jumping the gun a bit here, but if it still looks like that when they build it but still retains the good bits from the Note and the last Micra I'd buy one...

Peter Cavellini 7 February 2012

Re: Nissan unveils Invitation concept

superstevie wrote:
Peter Cavellini wrote:
If only these concept cars got on the roads.
Haven't you seen the Juke?
Always said the first vowel should have been an "O".

superstevie 6 February 2012

Re: Nissan unveils Invitation concept

Peter Cavellini wrote:
If only these concept cars got on the roads.
Haven't you seen the Juke?