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2005 Nissan Azeal Concept

Would AZEAL have Appeal with North Americas Youth Market?

Do you think there is a market for really, really small sports cars in North America? DaimlerChryslers diminutive smart brand came to the Detroit auto show with its cute little subcompact roadster, no doubt looking for public reaction to a car that is much smaller than anything currently available in the U.S.

Nissan, not known for microcars since it stopped selling the Micra hatchback in our part of the world, has nevertheless brought a funky little concept sports coupe to Detroit that is sure to put a smile on the faces of all who see it.

Nissan makes a habit of

Nissan has brought a funky little concept sports coupe to Detroit that is sure to put a smile on the faces of all who see it. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

putting smiles on peoples faces, especially those behind the wheel of its cars. It produces vehicles that are fun to drive no matter what segment of the market it sells in, from full-size pickup trucks to compact sport sedans.

With that in mind, the Japanese brand has long offered a "pocket

While Nissan has had its share of "pocket rockets", the AZEAL would be a stand alone model not based on current sedan. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

rocket" among its compact lineup, but rather than a standalone model its Sentra SE-R is a high-performance version of its 4-door Sentra economy car.

This seems to be the case for the majority of its competitors too, at least in the small car category. Only Hyundai, with its Tiburon, Toyota, with its soon to be discontinued Celica, more or less replaced by the Scion

The AZEAL is something altogether different than anything Nissan or any other brand has ever offered in North America. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

tC in the U.S., Mitsubishi with its soon to be updated Eclipse, and Acura, which is considered to be a premium brand but nevertheless fights it out in the lower end of the segment with the RSX, offer anything in the entry-level sporty coupe segment.

Previously it was a hotly contested class, with less sporting but nevertheless sporty looking models such as the Toyota Paseo, Mazda MX3 Precidia, Honda del Sol, sportier Honda CRX and Prelude,

With the new concept Nissan poses the question, "Why do entry-level vehicles have to look entry-level?" (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

and the list goes on and on.

Nissan was once in the dedicated sports coupe market too, although its Pulsar and 240SX models were quite a bit larger than the new AZEAL concept that debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this week.

Actually, the AZEAL is something altogether different than anything Nissan or any other brand has ever offered in North America, a microcar with a solid sense of style. And with the new concept Nissan poses the question, "Why do entry-level vehicles have

A high-output 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is tucked under the AZEALs hood. (Photo: Nissan North America)

to look entry-level?"

"The idea behind the AZEAL is that an entry-level vehicle doesnt have to look entry-level. Though AZEAL has the compact dimensions of a small coupe, it projects a much larger presence in terms of style, personality and desirability," said David Wong, designer, NDA.

The AZEAL definitely doesnt look like its a bargain basement A to B appliance, the unique 19-inch alloy rims on low-profile performance rubber quashing any belief that this particular model would be inexpensive if produced. Another dead giveaway to a prospectively high base price is the cars integrated active airfoil

The AZEAL is a design study in blending desirability with affordability, according to Nissans Vice President of Design, Bruce Campbell. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

that caps off its especially attractive sloped roofline.

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