Nissan is to return to the C-segment with an all-new model known as Pulsar. Set to be unveiled on 20th May 2014, the voluptuous 5-door hatchback has been designed and engineered to meet the specific demands of European car shoppers and will be built at the automaker’s Barcelona, Spain factory. It will take on Vauxhall Astra, Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf when it arrives in UK showrooms this autumn.
Where have I heard the Pulsar name before?
The Pulsar badge was used in international markets on the previous Sunny and Almera models, which were marketed in the UK, and dates back to the late 70s. It used here briefly in the early 1990s on the N14 model, which also wore the Sunny badge and gave us the wild four-wheel drive, turbocharged Sunny GTI-R model.
Is this the only image of the Pulsar so far?
Yes, but an official reveal will take place on 20th May. From the single teaser images issued so far, it’s clear that the Pulsar will have the same chrome V adorning the grille like the new Qashqai, X-Trail and Juke, clearly part of the new corporate identity for the brand.
Why is Nissan building a C-segment car when its super-minis and SUVs are selling strongly?
The broadening of the lineup is a part of Nissan-Renault’s international ‘Power 88’ strategy, so-named as it targets 8% global market share and 8% profits by the end of 2016. Carlos Ghosn, Chief Executive Officer announced the automaker’s results last Monday in Tokyo, with reporting 5.3% profits and growth in the key markets including Europe, North America, China and Japan. The 605.7bn (£3.5bn) yen profit exceeded expectations; Ghosn forecasting continued growth for 2014.
More details and pictures will be released when the Pulsar is fully revealed on 20th May. When it does go on sale in the autumn, we’re expecting it to cost from around £16,000.