Following a leak of images showing the upcoming Nissan Kicks Autech for Japan, the automaker confirmed that the performance crossover SUV is indeed due out soon, along with revealing some of its specs.
The Autech trim level strives to combine luxury with sportiness, which in this case translates into a reshaped front bumper, horizontal LED DRLs encased in chrome, new anti-fog lights, and the traditional blue paintjob.
The interior is black and blue with imitation leather covering the fascia and the seats. Wavy stitching patterns adorn the seat backs, and the steering wheel comes wrapped in leather colored blue in the lower half.
Powertrain details remain to be announced, but one shouldn’t expect serious innovation in this regard. On its home market of Japan, the Kicks is a hybrid-only vehicle running on a single electric motor rated at 129 PS (127 hp / 95 kW) and 260 Nm (192 lb-ft) of torque. A 1.2-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine pumps out 82 PS (81 hp / 60 kW), but rather than driving the wheels, it acts solely as a power generator for the main electric motor. The drive stays on the front axle in all trims.
The premiere will be held on January 23, 2021. Chances are we will learn about the pricing close to that date. The current-gen Nissan Kicks, which you can look at in the attached video, ships in two trim levels priced between 2,759,900 and 2,869,900 Japanese Yen.
