Nissan Nuvu Note and Pixo All Headed For Paris

A trio of Nissan vehicles will be heading to this year's Paris Motor Show, and they will all share the same design ethos and 'green' approach to the task of big city commuting.

When it comes to showcasing vehicles in different stages of their life-cycle, Nissan will have all the bases covered. They will feature a heavily revised existing model (The Note), an all-new model (The Pixo pictured above), and a futuristic concept car (The Nuvu).

Nissan's Note (pictured above) has received a number of upgrades, including a revised grill, bumper and headlights, while the distinctive 'boomerang' tail-lights are now darker than before. To complete the exterior changes Nissan will offer two new alloy wheel designs in 15 and 16-inch sizes, and add a pale green colour named 'Cider' to the selections palette.

A look inside will reveal that Nissan has revised the instrument cluster and replaced the central instrument panel, giving the interior a cleaner look. The Note will also be available with Nissan's 'Connect' in-car infotainment system, featuring touch-screen sat-nav, MP3 and WMA playback, and auxiliary input via USB and Bluetooth.

Mechanical changes include retuned suspension in an effort to improve ride comfort while retaining the responsiveness of the previous model. A new 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine will also be added to the line-up of existing engines. The current range of engines and gearboxes will also see minor revisions to improve emissions.

The Pixo is Nissan's new five-door, four-seater hatch that will be powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, and will be available with a four-speed automatic. Fuel consumption and emissions are paramount in the Pixo's design but, despite the diminutive engine size, Nissan is claiming the roomy interior and 'lively' engine will be perfectly capable of long journeys when needed.

From Nissan's concept department comes the Nuvu (meaning new view), which will showcase Nissan's view of what will become the norm in urban commuting over the next decade. The Nuvu is a three seater all electric vehicle, however it is not the production-ready EV that Nissan has confirmed for the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. Design elements and technologies used in the production-ready EV, will be shared with the Nuvu but Nissan remain tight-lipped on the specifics.

The Nuvu will feature leaf-shaped solar cells on the roof and will route the power generated through a 'tree-trunk' conduit within the car to assist in charging the batteries. To enhance its green credentials, the Nuvu will also use natural, organic and recycled materials within the cabin.