Currently reading: Nissan Sway points to 'fresh' Micra supermini
Hatchback concept previews the next-generation Micra, which is set to be launched in 2016

Nissan says it will aim to bring "fresh ideas" to the compact segment with the next Nissan Micra, which is due to go on sale in 2016 and was previewed by the Sway concept at the Geneva motor show.

The 4010mm long, 1780mm wide and 1385mm high Sway concept features Nissan’s new design language, first introduced on the new Murano, albeit in a more conceptual style. The pared-back interior is inspired by the IDX concept of 2013. The Sway was designed at Nissan's Atsugi design centre in Japan.

Those measurements pitch the Sway much closer to the 4100mm-long Nissan Note mini-MPV than the current Micra (which is 3825mm in length), signifying the expected growth of both models.

Short overhangs allow the Sway a wheelbase that's generous for the car's length; it boasts 2570mm between the axles, while the Volkswagen Polo offers 2470mm, even though the Polo is only 38mm shorter overall.

Design chief Shiro Nakamura said: “We are experimenting to see how Nissan might be able to bring fresh ideas to the compact segment.”

"The Sway is not a pure design study; it gives a hint of a next-generation hatchback.

"The Sway is like a smaller Murano," Nakamura added. "The V-Motion grille, strong character lines and the floating roof: every element we used in the Murano is there."

Nakamura said the Sway's bold styling is intentional, as the brand hopes to make a similar impact in Europe as it did with the Juke and Qashqai. "Nissan wants to be expressive and bold," he said. "We made a big statement with Qashqai and Juke, and those cars are very successful in Europe. We want to continue that philosophy.

"In this category, we are not the champions, so we don't need to defend; we can be challengers. Sometimes major players can become conservative, but we can go bold."

The new Micra is due to be launched in mid-2016. The model will be led by European design and engineering teams, a strategy also adopted by the Nissan Qashqai and Nissan Juke and opposite to the current car’s global brief.

Q&A with Philippe Klein, chief planning officer

Why does Micra need to change?

"Making a product attractive is complex; pricing is part of it, but it can never be the sole parameter. Design is an important factor. Driving dynamics too - and the experience for anyone in the car. We have to consider all these things in a coherent way. We've seen that with the Qashqai, Nissan X-Trail and Nissan Leaf and it follows that other products will follow."

Will the move upmarket mean a higher price?

"The move to the CMF platform is important; it offers an efficiency that allows us to be more competitive because it brings economies of scale. That means we can follow the lead of cars like the Qashqai and add more technology to the car; it's not about chasing price, but about providing content that makes a price attractive."

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What about the Sway's styling?

“It shows how we could define the compact B-segment segment in Europe using the design cues that have been so successful on X-Trail, Murano and Maxima, as well as embodying the new CMF architecture. It’s an expression of what we could do, from the V-Motion signature to the floating roof, proportions and stance of the car.”

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Mark Tisshaw

mark-tisshaw-autocar
Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.

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Frightmare Bob 16 March 2015

Anyone looking at this

Anyone looking at this article and thinking that the Sway looks great for the next Micra, is going to be very disappointed when Nissan show how dull the next production Micra actually turns out.
catnip 16 March 2015

Nissan should feel obligated

Nissan should feel obligated to bring "fresh ideas" to the compact hatchback class. After all, they've done their best to dull down the sector with their current uninspiring participant.
carmad 3 March 2015

micra

Next Gen Micra? Wow - quite a change then! But still ugly...
topsecret456987 16 March 2015

But If it had an Alfa Badge

But If it had an Alfa Badge it would be sexy. It's all about the badge.