Nissan Debuts Compact Sports Coupe in Detroit

Previously it was a hotly contested class, with less sporting but nevertheless sporty looking models such as the

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

Toyota Paseo, Mazda MX3 Precidia, Honda del Sol, sportier Honda CRX and Prelude, 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 to look entry-level?"

"The idea behind the AZEAL is that an entry-level vehicle doesn't have to look entry-level. Though AZEAL has the compact

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

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 doesn't look like it's 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 car's integrated active airfoil that caps off its especially attractive sloped roofline.