The Sway prototype from Geneva outlines the lines of the next Micra

Nissan will join at the Geneva Motor Show the manufacturers that have prepared a prototype to preview a new model. The one the Japanese brand will propose is called Sway and will serve as a preview of the fifth generation of its city car, the Micra, whose current version, the K13, has been on sale since 2010.

The next model is expected to reach the market in 2016 and, in response to the poorer reception of the Micra K13 compared with its predecessors, it will bet on a bolder and more carefree look that recovers its youthful character. Specifically, Nissan states that its conception has been based on the “innovative design and product planning” that gave rise to the extremely popular Juke and Qashqai.

Although the shapes of both crossovers seemed somewhat strange at first, nobody doubts that over time they have prevailed over other rivals in their respective segments. Between the Sway and the definitive production Micra that the future road car will show there is room for several changes, but the prototype foreshadows a fairly profound change that may provoke the same sensation when it goes on sale.

This generation will leave behind many of the curved lines that have characterised the K12 and K13, thus opting for more pronounced edges, a more expressive front end and, ultimately, a body less feminine than before. It will be so different from anything known so far in the history of the Micra that, as the British magazine Autocar reports, Nissan is even considering giving it another name.

Although it always keeps in mind the markets of developing countries, the Japanese manufacturer is designing the new Micra mainly for Europe. The former head of Nissan and current chief executive of Aston Martin Andy Palmer told Autocar that the plans for this model involve it ultimately taking over the role that the Note currently plays best, so that the latter can, at last, focus on the compact MPV segment.

Source | Nissan
Via | Autocar