Nissan to Launch 3 Subcompacts by Mid 2008

Japanese automaker Nissan is in the process of rapidly refreshing and expandingits product lineup. Globally speaking, it's putting a lot of emphasis on sport utility vehicles and crossovers. Later this year, we'll be seeing the launch of the compact Rogue crossover and the updated, V8-powered Pathfinder, while in Europe two new crossovers, the Qashqai and the redesigned X-Trail will surface. Importantly in times of high fuel prices and environmental concerns, Nissan hasn't forgotten about its small cars. This year Japan's second largest automaker unveiled its first hybrid, the Altima Hybrid, the brand new Sentra compact and its first representative in the subcompact segment in ages, the Versa.

The thing about the Versa is that while it's the smallest car that Nissan offers for sale in North America, it's more of a compact than a subcompact. It's longer than any other subcompact car on the market by a large margin, the EPA classifies it as a midsize by interior volume, plus it actually has more rear legroom than the bigger Sentra. Nevertheless, reports are now flooding in that Nissan is going to supplement the Versa in North America with notone or two, but three brand new subcompact cars by the middle of next year.

In a recent article, Japanese newspaper Nikkei reported that one of the vehicles to make its way here – as well as throughout the rest of the world – will be the next generation Nissan Cube. Best described as Nissan's version of the Scion xB, it's simply styled, and features a simple, efficient powertrain. What separates the Cube from other small “boxes” are its features. The rear half of the vehicle is asymmetrical, with the rearmost windows taking different forms on either side of the car. The Cube is also offered with e4WD, which utilizes electric motors to drive the rear wheels in slick conditions. There's even a model that features three rows of seats; it's called the Cube3 (cube cubed). You won't find these features in a Scion xB. The next Cube is expected to share some of its underpinnings with the Versa.

The next point that Nikkei touches on is pricing. At least one out of the three will be priced at under $10,000 in order to attract sales and bring attention to the brand's commitment to small cars. It has been speculated that this vehicle will be a Nissan-badged version of the Dacia Logan, a vehicle it would receive through its strategic alliance with Renault. The Logan is a simple four-door subcompact sedan targeted at African, Eastern European and South American markets, and is engineered to be tough and durable by using previous generation Renault Clio components. Currently, the cheapest new car on sale in America is the Chevrolet Aveo, which stickers at $10,560, undercutting the Versa by a significant amount; the base price of the Versa is $12,550.

The report didn't specify what the third vehicle would be, or any details about it, but we're guessing that it will most likely be the next-generation Nissan Micra. In any case, we look forward to seeing and then testing Nissan's new subcompacts when they arrive.