Is Nissan working on a Micra-based hot hatchback? The Compact Sport Concept shown at the Shanghai motor show yesterday makes that exciting prospect seem quite plausible.
Given certain design elements like the headlights and dashboard of the concept, it appears to be based on the Micra five-door hatchback - which, incidentally, is due in South Africa early next month.
It's possible then, that the concept (which was designed in a collaboration between Nissan's Japanese and Chinese design studios) could be a thinly-veiled version of an upcoming three-door Micra.
An even more exciting prospect, however, lies beneath the Compact Sport Concept's bonnet. Here Nissan has installed a turbocharged, direct-injection 1.6-litre petrol engine that develops 142kW. Watch out Polo GTI, Corsa OPC and friends.
Strangely, the motor is mated to a CVT gearbox and we can't see how a seamless transmission like this would suit a hot hatchback in any way although as a small consolation it does have a six-speed manual shifting mode.
A production version would surely need a six speed manual option too and given that, and the fact that this car is clearly smaller than its aforementioned potential rivals and we could have a serious little firecracker on our hands.
Nissan also claims that it was designed for young customers in emerging markets, meaning a production version could be well priced too.