Skip advert
Advertisement

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.

Advertisement - Article continues below

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.”

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Dacia Duster and Bigster hybrids get a hefty price cut
Dacia Duster - cornering

Dacia Duster and Bigster hybrids get a hefty price cut

The Dacia Duster and Bigster hybrid models now start from £23,345 and £26,715 respectively
News
4 Aug 2026
New Volkswagen ID.3 Neo 2026 review: EV puts VW back where it belongs
New Volkswagen ID.3 Neo - front tracking

New Volkswagen ID.3 Neo 2026 review: EV puts VW back where it belongs

Has VW’s all-electric hatchback finally grown up? We get behind the wheel to find out
Road tests
4 Aug 2026
Long-term test: Renault 4 E-Tech Iconic+
Renault 4 - charging fleetwatch

Long-term test: Renault 4 E-Tech Iconic+

Second fleetwatch report: living without a home charger means regular public charging, but the R4 is proving it isn’t as inconvenient as expected
Long-term tests
5 Aug 2026

Find a car with the experts