NISSAN has announced an aggressive pricing structure for its Sunderland-built Note hatchback.
The new models will cost just under £10,000 for the 1.4 S model, and go as high as £13,395 for the 1.6 SVE automatic.
The price means the Note will be more than £1,000 cheaper than the smaller Modus 1.4, manufactured by Nissan's European partner, Renault.
The cheapest Ford Fusion is also more expensive. Of its major rivals, only the Vauxhall Meriva undercuts the Note - and then only by £110.
Bigger than a Micra, but shorter than a VW Golf, it has been designed to appeal to young families.
Nissan has loaded the Note S with features, including a CD player, remote locking, electric windows, Isofix child mounting points and anti-lock brakes.
The chassis has been fine tuned and extensively tested on North-East roads.
Brian Carolin, senior vice-president (sales and marketing) Nissan Europe, said: "Note is a significant car for Nissan. It is a segment-busting, non-conformist design that will appeal to drivers for whom traditional family cars are just too conservative."
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