2005 Nissan Azeal Concept

Would AZEAL have Appeal with North Americas Youth Market?

Do you think there is a market for really, really small sports cars in North America? DaimlerChryslers diminutive smart brand came to the Detroit auto show with its cute little subcompact roadster, no doubt looking for public reaction to a car that is much smaller than anything currently available in the U.S.

Nissan, not known for microcars since it stopped selling the Micra hatchback in our part of the world, has nevertheless brought a funky little concept sports coupe to Detroit that is sure to put a smile on the faces of all who see it.

Nissan makes a habit of putting smiles on peoples faces, especially those behind the wheel of its cars. It produces vehicles that are fun to drive no matter what segment of the market it sells in, from full-size pickup trucks to compact sport sedans.

With that in mind, the Japanese brand has long offered a "pocket rocket" among its compact lineup, but rather than a standalone model its Sentra SE-R is a high-performance version of its 4-door Sentra economy car.

This seems to be the case for the majority of its competitors too, at least in the small car category. Only Hyundai, with its Tiburon, Toyota, with its soon to be discontinued Celica, more or less replaced by the Scion tC in the U.S., Mitsubishi with its soon to be updated Eclipse, and Acura, which is considered to be a premium brand but nevertheless fights it out in the lower end of the segment with the RSX, offer anything in the entry-level sporty coupe segment.

Previously it was a hotly contested class, with less sporting but nevertheless sporty looking models such as the Toyota Paseo, Mazda MX3 Precidia, Honda del Sol, sportier Honda CRX and Prelude, and the list goes on and on.

Nissan was once in the dedicated sports coupe market too, although its Pulsar and 240SX models were quite a bit larger than the new AZEAL concept that debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this week.

Actually, the AZEAL is something altogether different than anything Nissan or any other brand has ever offered in North America, a microcar with a solid sense of style. And with the new concept Nissan poses the question, "Why do entry-level vehicles have to look entry-level?"

"The idea behind the AZEAL is that an entry-level vehicle doesnt have to look entry-level. Though AZEAL has the compact dimensions of a small coupe, it projects a much larger presence in terms of style, personality and desirability," said David Wong, designer, NDA.

The AZEAL definitely doesnt look like its a bargain basement A to B appliance, the unique 19-inch alloy rims on low-profile performance rubber quashing any belief that this particular model would be inexpensive if produced. Another dead giveaway to a prospectively high base price is the cars integrated active airfoil that caps off its especially attractive sloped roofline.

Under the hood is a high-output 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with variable-valve timing mated to a sophisticated close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission connected to a limited slip differential, not exactly the type of equipment a person expects to get with a $195 per month payment.

Still, if Nissan were to strip out all the pricey stuff and bring the AZEAL to market with a more domesticated driveline and, lets say, 16-inch wheels and tires, it could still be very appealing. They could add the racy equipment back on for a special SE-R edition, for those willing to spend over $20K for a little dose of mechanical adrenaline in a racy two-door fastback configuration.

"As opposed to other body configurations, the sport coupe is the most passionate purchase decision there is, especially among young or first-time new car buyers who typically are spending a much higher percentage of their income on the purchase," said Wong.

That glass panel roof would be costly too, but oh it looks sensational. And the dash and center console underneath? Positively jewel-like, with machined aluminum dials, a gorgeous alloy audio interface, hidden retractable DVD navigation screen, aluminum and leather shift lever, electronic parking brake, illuminated starter button, substantial steering wheel with integrated controls for a built in phone featuring voice activation, and did I mention the ventilated power-actuated front seats with under-seat storage compartments, or drilled aluminum pedals? There goes that $195 per month payment.

While quite original in its own right, the AZEAL sports some design cues reminiscent of the 350Z, as well as other Nissan models currently for sale. This is a good thing, of course, as its family resemblance would help fit it right into the current lineup of sporty sedans, SUVs and sports cars if Nissan chose to produce it. Of course, its stylish wedge-like profile would make it stick out a little, like the black sheep in the family.

"We wanted to assure that the AZEAL had all the design elements that separate it from a sedan, including an aggressively sloped rear roofline, broad shoulders and wide fender flares and stance. As a result, AZEAL screams of independence."

Inside, Wasabi Chartreuse seat inserts are surrounded by a more serious black tone Nissan calls Gunmetal, the shade chosen as a backdrop for the rest of the interior. The contrast is an eye-opener for sure; Wasabi being that ultra-hot, deep lime-green mustard paste that gets served up with sushi when going Japanese.

The outside color, by the way, is Liquid Titanium - now thats a good paint name - and that center strip that runs from windshield to the top of its back hatch has been dubbed a "Mohawk", for good reason.

Besides being very good looking, in a sassy Rene Zellweger kind of way (Jerry Maguire not Bridget Jones Diary), what makes the new AZEAL especially significant is that its the first concept to be designed at Nissans new Farmington Hills, Michigan technical center.

If produced, the AZEAL would be sold alongside the Sentra, and its top-line SE-R and SE-R Spec V siblings, or would replace the

racy sedan. A new Sentra isnt expected until at least model year 2006 or 2007, with the automaker postponing its introduction to make sure that when it becomes available it offers the same high level of visual appeal that its midsize Altima and Maxima do.

By the time the new Sentra, and possibly AZEAL become available for sale, it is also possible Nissan will be offering its Micra, currently sold in other markets such as Europe and Japan (renamed March), as an entry-level B-segment product.

The B-segment is being looked at seriously by most automakers today, due to rising fuel costs and the success Toyota has had with its new Echo Hatchback and Chevy is experiencing with its GMDAT (Daewoo) Aveo. Hyundai and Kia have offered vehicles in this segment to price sensitive shoppers, the latter having just introduced an all-new Rio this week in Detroit, but their sales are down significantly this year due to added pressure of the newcomers.

A new compact sports coupe like the AZEAL would add significant visual presence to Nissans entry-level lineup, but with the segment experiencing lackluster sales as of late and rivals axing once popular models, its success would not necessarily be a sure thing. But of course, that comes down to price.

"AZEAL captures the essence of emotional, aspirational vehicles like the G35 coupe or Nissan 350Z but in the entry-level segment," said Ken Lee, designer, NDA. "It doesnt cost anything more to style an exciting vehicle."

Actually, nix those 16-inch wheels and bring the car to market with standard 15-inch rims, a 5-speed manual and the 2.5-liter four without the turbocharger or variable valve timing. The rest of the car can stay as is, less all the costly electronics and machined aluminum, as beautiful as it is. In the end Nissan would have a sporty little runabout that would most likely be appealing to budget minded shoppers both young and old.