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Nissan Golf rival due in 2014

Nissan chief has revealed more details of its all-new VW Golf rival

Nissan hatchback

More details on the new Nissan hatchback that is set to take on the VW Golf have been revealed.

Auto Express has already spied the car testing but global product planning boss Andy Palmer explained what we can expect from the production model when it goes on sale in 2014.

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Palmer admits that the Golf is the clear target for the new car, and said: “We’ll start by not making any excuses for our car – in terms of dynamics and perceived quality it has to match it [the Golf].

“But where we can be different is that it won’t look like the Golf. We can go after customers bored with the MkVII. We can be more provocative – that’s the advantage of the guys that come afterwards.”

That means it is likely to take cues from the company’s Invitation concept. “The face is a little bit leftfield, a little bit edgy,” said Palmer.

“You can see what we have been doing recently with the V-grille going into the hood [bonnet]. And we can that take that DNA into the handling.”

The model will be built in Spain, and Palmer shed more light on the name, which he has previously said will be both recognisable and new.

“Both statements are correct,” he said. “You will be familiar with it; it’ll evoke something from the past.”

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