First look: Nissan to get Urgent in Detroit

NISSAN Motor America has got into the Detroit motor show preview act by pre-revealing a motorcycle-inspired compact coupe concept dubbed Urge.

Due to make its world public debut at America's largest motor show on January 9, the Nissan Design America-styled Urge employs what's described as a "quick, high-revving, small-displacement engine" to direct power to its rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.

Hailed as "pure, powerful sports car", Urge features brushed aluminium wheels, colour-infused aluminium body panels and a "driver-oriented" cockpit with integrated Xbox 360 gaming system.

Given Nissan showed a possible 200SX Silvia coupe replacement in its Foria concept at the Tokyo motor show in October, exactly where Urge fits into Nissan's future models plans is unclear.

But, if nothing else, the rejuvenated Japanese company's focus on compact sports coupe concepts bodes well for the future.