NISSAN wants thousands of motorists to help it choose a fresh design for a crucial new car model. The company is hoping that visitors to the Paris and Birmingham motor shows will tell them what they think of KYXX, a design study which is the first step in the process to find a replacement for the Micra supermini.

'We're looking four years ahead and aiming to get some pointers from potential customers. We believe this is the first time a car company has tried to gather information like this and it is not a gimmick,' a Nissan GB spokesman said. Visitors are able to record their views of the design study by responding to questions on a bank of four computer stations mounted in front of the concept.

The first design to emerge from the company's studios near Munich, KYXX is a radical five-seater hatchback which is described as being overtly sporting in appearance. 'Every maker seeks a fresh direction for a new model, and we can't think of a better way of finding it,' said the spokesman.