Nissan Sway concept hints at new Micra supermini

Nissan is working hard on a replacement for its ageing Micra supermini – and this is how it could look. The Sway concept, revealed at this week’s Geneva Motor Show, has given us our first glimpse at what the company has up its sleeve for the next generation supermini, due in mid-2016.

Nissan quotes the Qashqai and Juke as two examples of it ripping up the rule book and going its own way in the past, and it says it’s using the same approach with the Sway supermini, a preview of the firm's next small car design lanuage.

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The newcomer ditches the dumpy, bulbous body shape of the current Micra and instead explores a more radical look. At the front there’s a more compact take on Nissan’s family V-Motion grille, a MINI-style floating roof, boomerang headlights and a C-pillar reminiscent of the DS 3. 

A bold, sweeping line leads from the grille, over the front wheelarch and down the side of the car to the crossover- like rear haunches, which are similar to other Renault-Nissan Alliance designs such as the Renault Captur or the Infiniti QX30 Concept.  

Meanwhile, the interior is a development of the elegant design first seen on the retro IDx concept at 2013’s Tokyo Motor Show. A dished steering wheel is joined by two simple dials, while a large central screen and dividing centre console complete the cabin. 

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The next-generation Micra is due in showrooms next year and it’s easy to see how the Sway’s design could be toned down. While the large wheels, glass roof and simplistic interior are pure concept car, the overall shape and proportions could easily find their way on to the next Micra. 

It’s slightly longer, wider and lower than the current supermini class leader, the Ford Fiesta. Nissan claims the Sway has been designed to “shake up” the compact hatchback class, which it believes is a “traditionally conservative market sector”.

Shiro Nakamura, Nissan’s senior vice president for design and chief creative officer, said: “We believe that the Sway continues our tradition of challenging the status quo in market segments by bringing something fresh, distinctive and striking, much as we did with the Qashqai and Juke. 

“With this new concept car, we’re experimenting to see how Nissan might be able to bring fresh ideas to the compact hatchback segment.”

Now read our full round-up of the Geneva Motor Show to see all the cars from this year's event.