With such interesting cars as Nissan's own Urge around the show, it was easy to get carried away and ignore mainstream cars, such as the Nissan Versa, that also made their debut at the Detroit Motor Show this year. The Versa may not be as exciting to look at as the Urge, but there is a significantly higher possibility that you will drive it someday.

Though badged Versa in America, this car is sold as the Nissan Tiida in other markets around the world and we expect it to come to Europe later this year as a replacement for the aging Almera hatch and four-door saloon. Nissan and Renault develop cars in co-operation these days and the influence of the Renault Megane is obvious. The Versa does without the opinion-splitting rear end of the Megane, instead looking more like a Peugeot 307 from that angle. At the front, the Versa features a nose that reminds us of the new Nissan Note, with the smiling face first seen on the latest Micra.

In side profile, it is plain to see where the Versa gets its ample interior space; this is quite a high car, with similar proportions to Honda's outgoing Civic. It could almost be called an MPV in the vein of the Almera Tino. We'll know more about European specifications later this year, probably at the Paris Show in September.

Shane O' Donoghue - 3 Feb 2006