HAVING given up making conventional hatchbacks when it created the ‘crossover’ with the Qashqai, Nissan decided the time is right to launch a direct competitor to the Golf and Ford Focus.

In an attempt to go to the top of the class Nissan has made the new five door Pulsar, at 2,770mm, the longest wheelbase in class which increases space for both passengers and luggage. The rear seat passengers are particularly fortunate with 692mm of leg room, as much as a Ford Mondeo.

Yet despite this, it retains a compact footprint, making it easy to park in tight urban environments.

The Pulsar is available with a choice of 1.2litre, 115PS DIG-T petrol, a 1.6-litre 190PS petrol and a 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine of 110PS and 260Nm of torque. A six speed manual gearbox is standard and an Xtronic automatic option is available on the petrol engine at £1,350. Both launch engines feature Idle Stop-Start as standard, helping to reduce CO2 emissions and boost fuel efficiency.

From launch,the Pulsar will be available in four familiar grades: Visia, Acenta, n-tec and Tekna.

The entry level Visia, priced from £15,995, is well equipped and features a 5" colour screen, steering wheel mounted controls, Bluetooth and air conditioning.

The Acenta priced from £17,645, also benefits from Forward Emergency Braking, automatic lights and wipers and Nissan's ingenious i-Key system.

The n-tec, which starts at £18,995, adds large 17" alloys, privacy glass and LED lights; colour reversing camera; NissanConnect 2, a state-of-the-art infotainment system offering full smartphone integration, Google Send-to-Car and access to a wide variety of useful and informative apps.

The range-topping Tekna, priced from £20,345, adds Forward Emergency Braking, Moving Object Detection, Lane Departure Warning and Blind Spot Warning.

The new Pulsar is fitted with a range of technologies designed to make the ride feel more confident and comfortable. Nissan's reputation for introducing new-to-sector technologies has been strengthened with a wide number of features usually reserved for premium or luxury models.

These include Nissan's acclaimed Safety Shield system with Moving Object Detection, Lane Departure Warning and Blind Spot Warning.

Nissan's revolutionary Around View Monitor brings even more advanced technology to the sector, as does the latest-generation NissanConnect system that offers seamless integration with smartphones and full satellite navigation functions.