2015 Geneva Motor Show: Nissan Sway is next Nissan Micra

Sway baby hatch concept previews a possible Nissan Micra replacement with more European style

A SERIOUSLY sculpted Nissan Sway has previewed the Japanese carmaker’s future Micra replacement, but wrought to appeal to European tastes as it chases the VW Polo and Renault Clio.

Unveiled at the Geneva motor show overnight, the 4010mm-long, 1780mm-wide and 1385mm-high Sway is longer, wider and not quite as tall as the Micra on sale in Australia, which is soon due for a long-delayed facelift that adopts a very small part of the Sway’s design.

Sway borrows its grille design from the likes of the Juke compact SUV and its slightly larger sibling, the Qashqai, while other styling elements such as the floating roof and the kick in the C-pillar are borrowed from the Lannia concept unveiled in China last year.

Sway’s deep V-shaped grille is framed by big air intakes and distinctive swept headlights framed in a long, flowing crease running down the side.

The windscreen blends into a panoramic sunroof that extends as far as the boot space – great in concept form, but potentially transforming the interior into a hothouse in the height of an Australian summer.

Inside, Sway takes a step forward from the IDx concept unveiled at the 2013 Tokyo motor show, featuring a clean-looking, functional design.

Nissan hinted that the future Micra could potentially head down the path of customisation specialist Mini, with contrasting orange highlights offsetting the blue-grey hue of the show car that could be swapped for another colour.

Inside, the dark blue theme is highlighted with contrasting ivory and orange colours to match the Sway’s exterior.

In an effort to cut weight, the front seat frames are made of exposed aluminium.

Sway also borrows an element of its design from the BMW i3 electric car, featuring rearward-opening coach doors that remove the need for a B-pillar.

The dash uses a “gliding wing” design, with the instruments in front of the driver limited to a pair of three-dimensional gauges for speed and engine revs.

Use of a large touchscreen tablet on the console between the front seats allows Nissan to limit the number of buttons.

Going on past performance, don’t expect any future Micra based on the Sway concept to hurry to Australia because Nissan is building a reputation for denying us the best of its latest.

We’re receiving the fresh-faced Micra almost two years after it hit other markets worldwide, and while Europe receives a major update to the lacklustre Pulsar, we’re sticking with the old model.