The Nissan Kicks Concept, displayed at the 2014 Sao Paulo Auto Show is a compact SUV that previews a Barzil-specific model. It has been designed under the leadership of Nissan’s Global Design Center in Japan,apart from input from two teams – Nissan Design America (NDA) in San Diego, US, and Nissan Design America Rio (NDA-R), the satellite design studio recently opened in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Now, the manufacturer has shown a slightly different take on the Kicks with re-designed bumpers, new 19-inch alloy wheels and a new livery, inspired by the Samba dance. However, this paint was developed exclusively by the Nissan Design America Rio (NDA-R) team.
The Kicks looks rather pert, with restrained aggression in the bodywork and a smart stance.Nissan’s signature, chunky V grille rules the front end and is accompanied by a pair of crisply styled horizontal LED headlights that integrate seamlessly with the flared fenders. The compact SUV will also sport a cool, floating roof and boomerang-shaped tail lamps at the back.
About the name, Nissan says its a reference to its “tough guy” behavior, with the crossover combining agility, an athletic stance and attitude, also reflecting the concept’s young and energetic personality. While Nissan executives say the study reflects the idiosyncrasies of the Brazilian market, the possibility for a Kicks based compact crossover for other markets still exist.
This concept looks like future production version of the current Juke crossover SUV.