Nissan unveils 'Kicks' concept SUV in Sao Paulo
Appearing to be around the same size as the Juke, the Kicks is described as an answer to the disconnect between the vehicles on Brazilian roads and the exuberant nature of the country's people, as well as the difference between the capital Sao Paulo and the more cosmopolitan Rio de Janeiro.
Under the leadership of Nissan's Global Design Centre in Japan, the concept was developed by Nissan Design America in San Diego with input from Nissan Design America Rio, the recently opened satellite design studio.
"The main inspiration for this concept was the contrast that we saw in the grey tones of the urban settings in Sao Paulo and the bright natural colours that we saw near our studio in Rio," said Robert Bauer, Chief Designer at the Rio studio.
"How to combine these two, the more grey urban tones with the bright sunset orange that we would see - this combination we thought was really uniquely Brazilian."
To illustrate the two divergent elements, the Kicks features a grey body, topped with a bold orange roof. Similar "sunset" details adorn the front and rear bumpers, grille and wheels.
Rather than just make a "regional" vehicle, Nissan hopes to apply what it's learned with the Kicks to global vehicle designs in the future.
The Sao Paulo International Motor Show, held every two years, is the biggest auto event in Latin America, and the Kicks Concept will be a centre piece on the Nissan stand.