2010 New York: Nissan shows off its North American Versa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW YORK – Hyundai will be showing off the North American version of its subcompact 2012 Accent sedan later today in New York. And its platform mate, the new 2012 Kia Rio sedan, will also make its global debut here tomorrow morning. But Nissan beat both to the subcompact sedan race (if only by a half-hour in Hyundai’s case) with the unveiling of its 2012 Versa sedan.

With Nissan claiming the new Versa Sedan has, for example, "more rear legroom than some mid-size sedans", you have to wonder about the future—or lack thereof—of the aging Sentra sedan. No word on what will power the Mexican-made Versa, or what it will cost when it goes on sale this fall. I’m guessing a naturally aspirated version of the turbo 1.6-litre from the Juke crosover and similar rock bottom pricing as the current Versa will prevail.

Nissan isn’t saying anything  here at the show. But I’m betting a four-door hatchback version of the Versa will show up this fall at the Los Angeles auto show, if not some time earlier. Nissan did say that with a CVT, the Versa will achieve a combined city/highway fuel economy of 6.1L/100 km.