Nissan Global Sedan Shown, Australian Debut Possible

First teased in an official image released in October (initially believed to be a Tiida replacement), Nissan has today unveiled its new 'global sedan' at the Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition in China.

The new model is expected to appeal to young buyers and young families, combining what Nissan describes as an upscale interior design with space and quality materials.

Power for Nissan's new global model will be provided by the same 1.5 litre petrol engine driving the Australian-delivered Micra, producing 75kW and 136Nm of torque and mated to the brand's new Xtronic CVT automatic transmission.

Suspension is managed by MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam rear.

In the Chinese market, the new model will debut as the next-generation 'Sunny', a badge that stretches back to the 1960s and holds plenty of cachet with Nissan buyers around the world.

Although long absent from the Australian market (where it appeared on only one generation of the car), the Sunny name has continued in various forms and markets - including Japan, where it was replaced by the Tiida in 2005.

Whether this new global light sedan will bear the Sunny name in any Western markets remains to be seen. For Australia, the new model - which Nissan CEO Dan Thompson has tentatively tipped for a local launch and sold alongside the Micra hatch - may even see the return of the Pulsar badge. 

However, it is more likely that the new model will be offered as the Micra Sedan, while the Pulsar name - if it returns at all - could see the retirement of the Tiida name. Design studies of the Tiida's succesor have already been built, but have yet to be shown to the public.