• Brand new model line
• Expected in 2013
• CO2 emissions of under 100g/km

A new concept car, the Nissan Invitation, has been announced prior to its unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

The Invitation concept is essentially a pre-production version of Nissan’s Fiesta-rivalling small hatchback for Europe. The Japanese manufacturer is hoping it will provide strong competition to well-established names like the Renault Clio and Vauxhall Corsa.

The Invitation will join the Nissan model line up alongside the Micra City Car and Juke Crossover and will continue Nissan’s striking current design theme.

Inside, Nissan are promising an open and airy cabin, despite the Invitation’s small dimensions.

Nissan also says the Invitation will have class leading CO2 emissions and fuel economy, citing a lightweight platform and an aerodynamically efficient shape. A road tax free model, emitting less than 100g/km of CO2 is likely to form part of the line-up.

Nissan Safety Shield Technologies – a number of safety devices including a full complement of airbags – will appear on the Invitation. To further aid safety, Nissan’s Around View Monitor, which uses cameras to ease reversing and parallel parking will also feature, a first for a B segment car.

Speaking on the concept’s unusual name, Nissan’s Deputy Product Planning Chief Francois Bancon said: “The key benefit of this concept car is to be inviting. It is inviting thanks to its sensuous exterior design and generous and comfortable interior space, cleverly packaged within compact overall dimensions. It is Nissan’s invitation to buyers in the compact hatchback segment.”

As the Invitation is still officially in the concept stage, there has been no confirmation on price or specification. Nissan has confirmed that it will go on sale in Europe from 2013.

By Daljinder Nagra