21 May 2014

New Nissan compact hatch revealed

These are the first official pictures of Nissan's new Pulsar compact family hatch, targeting the VW Golf and Ford Focus after a long absence by the Japanese maker from the segment, writes Brian Byrne.

The styling has the same dramatic presence as the new Qashqai and the upcoming new X-Trail, and the car fills the gap left by the Almera, discontinued in Europe in 2006.

The name comes from the original car on which the Almera was based, and is one which has been used in a number of markets by Nissan cars.

Power will include turbocharged 1.2 and 1.6 petrol options and a 1.5 diesel. It goes on sale in the autumn in initial markets and is beingbuilt in Barcelona.