| Motor Show Preview | Frankfurt Motor Show | Nissan Concepts |

Nissan has hinted at its future intentions with details of a shorter, lower take on the small city run-around, to be shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Aimed at younger drivers and based on a production chassis, the Mixim concept weighs 950kg and features some design features normally associated with supercars.

Inside, the concept has a seat layout as found on the McLaren F1, with the driver positioned centrally and two heavily sculpted passenger seats either side. The car also boasts gull-wing doors which, although unlikely to ever make production - as is the car itself (according to Nissan) - still look the part. The Mixim has several 'diamond'-shaped design cues found on air intakes toward the rear and the impractical yet entirely concept-like rear windows.

Nissan has also fitted two 'Super Motors' to drive the front and rear axles, making the car four-wheel drive; most likely a technological exercise rather than a pre-production decision.

Sharing the stand with the Mixim concept is Nissan's Micra Colour + Concept show car. Displaying a new special-effect pigment in the paint work, the Micra's 'Liquid Metal' gold body creates 'depth' and 'appears liquid to the touch'; apparently. Not satisfied with rejuvenating the once controversial Micra body, the Colour + Concept is also fitted with white leather and acid yellow carpets and interior panels.

The current Micra is also set for a subtle makeover to celebrate its fifth birthday this year. Chrome touch-ups on the exterior, darkened headlamps and blackened B-pillars show that Nissan is following the growing trend of sophistication over cuteness that Renault and Vauxhall appear to have cracked.

Fiat's 500 is a major threat to the Micra however - pulling off S and C to a tee. Nissan has simplified its range to four main grades (Visia, Acenta, Tekna and Active Luxury), yet offers little by way of customisation that Fiat will surely find valuable to the 500 range. Nissan does however promise Bluetooth mobile phone technology integrated into the car audio system as well as an auxiliary input jack socket for MP3 players.

Kyle Molyneux - 30 Aug 2007