Nissan scores on draw

It might not look like much right now, but this sketch will evolve into Nissan’s all-new, sporty compact crossover.

The official teaser image gives fans an idea of the shape of the UK-designed car, which will roll off the line at the firm’s Sunderland plant in 2010.

It will take up the slack in manufacturing capacity that will be created when production of the current Micra ends.

The project was given the green light following a meeting between Nissan chief executive Carlos Ghosn and Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and comes after the firm secured a £6.2million Government grant.

With the new car, Nissan will look to strengthen the factory’s position as the UK’s leading manufacturer and exporter of high-value products. In the last financial year, a record 374,000 cars were built at Sunderland.