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

PHEV megatest: Britain's 16 favourite plug-in hybrid systems tested
PHEV Megatest headershot

PHEV megatest: Britain's 16 favourite plug-in hybrid systems tested

It’s PHEV boom time. So we tried the systems offered in 59 cars, testing their EV range and efficiency, to reveal the ones you should buy
Car group tests
14 May 2026
Our EV obsession is holding back green mobility, efficient hybrids are the answer
Toyota Prius - cornering left

Our EV obsession is holding back green mobility, efficient hybrids are the answer

The call for more flexibility and a wider eco focus than the single path to electric is growing
News
12 May 2026
New Omoda 7 Noble Tech has unique screen that slides right across the car
Omoda 7 - front static

New Omoda 7 Noble Tech has unique screen that slides right across the car

A new top-spec variant of the Omoda 7 has a few functions we’ve not seen before
News
13 May 2026

Find a car with the experts