2005 Nissan Azeal Concept

The 2005 Nissan Azeal Concept was a bold, compact 2+2 sports coupe aimed at younger drivers looking for affordable performance. It was the first concept car developed at Nissan Design America's new studio in Farmington Hills, Michigan, and was designed specifically with the North American market in mind.

The Azeal had a muscular, chiseled look with short overhangs, wide fenders, and a sloping roofline that ended in an active rear spoiler. One of its standout features was a transparent glass-panel roof split by a body-colored "Mohawk" strip, complete with integrated rails for roof racks. It rolled on 19-inch wheels, had dual exhausts, and featured brake air ducts disguised as fog light housings.

Under the hood was a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential, aimed at delivering a lively driving experience. The interior design was just as attention-grabbing, with perforated dark leather seats accented by bright Wasabi Chartreuse inserts, and a high-tech instrument panel finished in "Sinister Gunmetal."

The Azeal was intended to capture the spirit of performance icons like the Nissan 350Z and Infiniti G35 but at a lower cost, suggesting a connection to the upcoming generation of the Nissan Sentra. While it never reached production in its original form, the Azeal hinted at the design and performance focus Nissan was planning to bring to its small car lineup in the mid-2000s.