2009 Geneva Auto Show: Nissan Qazana

GENEVA — If the future compact crossover vehicle that Nissan plans to begin building next year at its Sunderland plant in the U.K. looks anything like the company's Qazana concept, the competition may want to rethink their current entries in the segment. The Qazana is debuting at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show.

The Nissan Qazana looks like nothing else on the road — and, in this case, that's a good thing. Created by Nissan Design Europe in London and said to be inspired by beach buggies and motorbikes, the four-passenger Qazana looks playful and entertaining. It should be an appropriate companion to the midsize Nissan Qashqai.

The all-wheel-drive Qazana measures less than 160 inches long — a tad shorter than a Honda Fit — and features rounded lines with prominent wheel arches edged in contrasting rubber. Thin glass inserts in the roof and 20-inch black chrome alloy wheels set off the vehicle's white titanium paint scheme. All four doors, including the rear-hinged half-doors that provide access to the rear seats, are electrically operated.

The rugged-looking cockpit has four "floating" seats constructed of carbon fiber and trimmed in leather and mesh. A touchscreen display in the center console provides access to the navigation, communications, entertainment and climate systems.

Inside Line says: The Qazana has Qalifornia written all over it. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent