Nissan Kicks compact SUV is go

Japanese car-maker Nissan has today announced it will build an all-new compact SUV called the Kicks in Brazil this year, and it could become available to Australians.

Roughly the size of a Mazda CX-3, the new pint-size crossover is likely to be even smaller and cheaper – but just as cheeky – as the JUKE, which currently opens Nissan's SUV range at $23,490.

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn confirmed a $US267 million ($A370m) investment in the Resende manufacturing plant in Rio de Janeiro State to build the new Kicks, which will be distributed initially in Latin America.

The micro-SUV will then be "sold globally", says the company, which stated: "Nissan continues to study the business case for launching Kicks in other regions, underlining the brand's commitment to global Crossover leadership."

Although the official line from Nissan Australia is currently non-committal, we understand Nissan is considering the new model for Australia's booming small SUV market, where it would slot in beneath the JUKE and QASHQAI – potentially priced from under $20,000 like the top-selling CX-3.

"At this time it's too early to say," Nissan Australia's General Manager of Corporate Communications, Peter Fadeyev told motoring.com.au this morning.

Few details about the new model have been divulged, such as its engine, gearbox, features and dimensions. Even the design is still top secret, although it's a tipped to be heavily influenced by the funky Nissan Kicks Concept (pictured) originally shown at the 2014 São Paulo Motor Show in Brazil.

When the Kicks production vehicle goes on sale sometime this year (2016), it won't be a conventional design, insists José Valls, chairman of Nissan Latin America.

"With Nissan Kicks, we will go beyond the obvious to pack a punch with a strong design statement and the performance that our customers crave."

The design, development and engineering of the new model has been led by Nissan's Japanese base but input from Nissan Design America in San Diego and Nissan Design America in Rio has also taken place, says the Japanese car-maker.

Emerging markets such as India, Russia and Brazil are becoming increasingly important to global car-makers, and Ghosn highlighted this fact, saying: "The Kicks will bring Nissan's unique crossover expertise to more regions."