Nissan, as we know, has an alliance with Renault to produce cars. The duo does so in India as well. Apart from sharing platforms, the companies share powertrains too. We’ve seen that happen in several products, including the Renault Captur and Nissan Kicks. By the end of 2020, both carmakers would have entered in a new segment – the hotly contested subcompact SUV. Renault has codenamed its version as the HBC, whereas Nissan has dubbed its model as the EM2. What you see here is the first teaser of the latter.

The single image puts one observation on the table – the production-ready EM2 could look like a shrunken Kicks. The combination of sweptback headlamps, wraparound taillamps and a sloping roofline backs that possibility. The last of those three design traits also highlights one other important element – Nissan’s sub-4 metre SUV might not carry an upright, traditional SUV stance as some of its direct competitors.

Nissan Kicks Concept

As you’d expect, there are no confirmed details about the upcoming Nissan. However, it will share its underpinnings and the powertrain options with the Renault HBC. In essence, the Renault Triber will form the base for both those upcoming models. Unlike the Triber, however, the SUVs will have a turbocharged petrol engine which could offer around 100bhp or maybe more. And the motor will be available with both petrol and automatic transmissions. Before you wonder, there will be no diesel engine on offer.

Up until now, Nissan hasn’t had the best of times in India. That said, the Japanese carmaker is not ready to give up yet. Apart from launching more UVs in India, it will also play the EV game. The Leaf, which is amongst the bestselling EVs worldwide, should make its way into India soon. As far as the EM2 is concerned, it will face stiff competition from the Hyundai Venue, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Mahindra XUV300, Tata Nexon and the Ford EcoSport. Not to forget, the year 2020 will also see the introduction of Kia’s subcompact SUV, which currently carries the codename QYI.