Next Nissan Almera Will be Europe Exclusive to Take on Golf and Focus

NissanNissanJapan, 1932 > present159 models
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is explaining its plans on the next generation AlmeraNissan AlmeraJapan, 1995 > present4 series
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that will come to Europe in the coming years. It says that the car will be a Europe-only design that will be built in Spain and be aimed against the Volkswagen GolfVolkswagen Volkswagen Golf Gen.7 [VII]Germany, 2012 > present363 versions
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and Ford FocusFord Focus Gen.3 [III]United States of America, 2012 > present10 versions
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. While the Almera aims at the mainstream, the QashqaiNissan QashqaiJapan, 2006 > 2014305 versions
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will get an all-new design that will be much bolder than the current car. 

Nissan says that the Almera will be a five-door hatchback with “conventional but beautiful," according to Nissan product planning boss Andy Palmer. 

The project is far enough along that Nissan is fine-tuning the car's suspension setting, which according Palmer is precise, predictable and relaxing. 

“We’re on course to break through five per cent market share in Europe very soon and — while we make most cars for Europe right here in Europe — to become the continent’s biggest Asian brand," said Palmer. 

While the Almera will be a fairly normal five-door hatchback, it will allow the Qashqai to get a wilder design and is planned to go on sale in 2014. It will get more powerful engines and sportier handling. 

The design will take some queues from the JukeNissan JukeJapan, 2010 > present135 versions
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with sharper lines and a V-shaped front end. It will be similar to the Hi-CrossNissan Hi-Cross ConceptJapan, 2012 > 201213 photos
concept and ResonanceNissan ResonanceJapan, 2013 > 201315 photos
concept but smaller. 

The next generation Qashqai will be roughly the same size as the current car but with better interior materials. When Nissan planned the original Qashqai it had not idea that it would be so popular. It planned the car to sell half as much as it actually as. That means with the next car that Nissan can increase quality without changing the price as long as sales stay about the same. 

The engines will be the new family of shared Nissan and RenaultRenaultFrance, 1898 > present189 models
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engines including the new 1.2-liter turbo, and Nissan is planning a Qashqai Nismo later on. 

“The Nismo treatment we’ve just given the Juke is very much an indicator of our thinking as part of the Qashqai line-up. We’re not going mad. It’s about making the car more involving and more fun to drive without making it unaffordable," said Palmer. 

Source: Autocar (1,2)