Wide-mouthed Nissan March Midnight Edition ready for debut in Sao Paulo

Dubbed the Midnight Edition, the little hatchback wears a constant look of surprise because of the gargantuan intake in the front fascia.

Nissan doesn't outline any powertrain upgrades, so this wide-mouthed look is probably more about style than feeding cool air into the engine. The massive intake certainly makes an impression, and it's hard to look away. The bright red paint also makes the huge opening even more conspicuous.

The designers give the Midnight Edition even more style by using contrasting black paint for the roof, pillars, mirrors, and foglight trim. The little dots of color that mark the transition between the two shades remind us of the BMW i8 and i3 Crossfade Concepts from the Paris Motor Show. Inside, there's matching gloss black switchgear.

Nissan's announcement seems to indicate that the Midnight Edition is a one-off, but it should do a wonderful job of attracting people to the automaker's booth at the São Paulo show. The automaker's attendants there should be ready to answer lots of questions about this bizarre vehicle, though.

The designers at Nissan Design Estúdio Rio should have a new March to tweak soon because the next-generation model is on the way (above). The latest Micra features sharp-edged styling, and European versions get a 0.9-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, naturally aspirated 1.0-liter, or 1.5-liter diesel. Customers can also order a wide variety of safety equipment like High Beam Assist, Blind Spot Warning, and an Around-View Monitor camera system.

The new Micra will be on sale in Europe in March. After that, the hatchback will launch elsewhere, but Nissan won't sell it in the United States. Some markets will even possibly get a hotter Nismo version.