Nissan Leaf NISMO RC: Purpose Built Track Racer Debuts at New York Auto Show [Updated Gallery]

There has been a lot of conversation lately about electric cars and racing, with some even talking about introducing the technology into the F1 stage. Nissan, on its part, has a lot to gain in terms of awareness given the brands focus on the development of dedicated electric vehicles like the Leaf.

With this in mind, the Japanese carmaker developed a purpose-built prototype racer loosely based on the production Leaf that will receive its first public outing at the 2011 New York International Auto Show . Compared to the production model, the Lead NISMO RC (for Racing Competition), does away with the rear doors, rear seat, trunk, audio system, navigation, carpeting and other amenities, while gaining a mid-ship location for the battery pack, electric motor and inverter.

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Shanghai Auto Show: Nissan's 190HP Compact Sport Concept

Nissan unveiled a new design study called Compact Sport Concept at the Shanghai Auto Show. The prototype three-door hatchback is the work of Nissan's global design center in Japan and the brand's Beijing design studio in China. According to the Japanese automaker, the Compact Sport Concept is designed �for young customers in emerging countries�.

Despite the lack of information, it appears that the aggressively styled concept is loosely based on the Micra, as it borrows several elements from Nissan's supermini including the headlight and the two-part grille designs. The hot hatch sports a heavily-sculpted bodywork, with bulged wheel arches, massive bumpers and a windshield that wraps around the center part of the roof.

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Love it or Loathe it: Nissan Qazana Small Crossover Study

Supposedly previewing Nissan's new small crossover model that's expected in 2010, the Qazana made its first ever appearance at the Geneva Motor Show. It goes without saying the production model that will be built at the firm's Sunderland plant in the UK, will feature a much less dramatic design that the concept study. That said, don't expect to see the Qazana's suicide rear-doors or 20-inch alloys making it into production.

"The Qazana concept is an intelligent, all-wheel drive crossover which is masculine, agile, lean, and designed for the tough city streets," said Atsushi Maeda, Studio Chief Designer, Nissan Design Europe. "Our team at Nissan Design Europe (NDE) in London realized this image with the motif of a modern day beach buggy and four-seat motor-bike," Atsushi added.

Mixing SUV and a few sports car styling cues like the low roofline, the design proposal for a "baby" Qashqai is quite compact measuring 4,060mm in length (110mm longer than a Ford Fiesta but 277mm shorter than a Focus), 1,570mm in height, 1,780 in width and has a wheelbase of 2530mm.

Inside, Nissan claims that the shape of the centre console and armrest have been inspired by the fuel tank and seat of a sports motocycle. "I enjoy the sensation of being at one with my bike and wanted to capture that feeling in Qazana," said Paul Ray, senior interior designer at NDE. ""The way the structure appears through the fabric of the interior also reflects motorcycle design and construction."

The Japanese automaker did not reveal any information on the concept's mechanics other than it is equipped with the firm's next generation fully electronic ALL MODE four-wheel drive with torque vectoring system.