The 2012 Nissan Tiida will reappear in the U.S. as the next Nissan Versa.

If you want to get an early look at what to expect from Nissan when it updates its smallest American offering you can wait for this week’s New York Auto Show or turn your attention to China, where it’s already on display.

True, the car showcased at the Shanghai Motor Show carries the unfamiliar Tiida badge used in Asia, but the more stylish remake of the subcompact will soon show up here with the familiar Versa nameplate.

The 2012 Tiida is designed to minimize the econobox look, with a more sculptured shape that includes a rounded roof line flowing into the rear hatch, and updated headlamps that reach well into the front fenders.

Nissan describes the updated design as “premium and agile styling,” and said the key goals were to give the Tiida a “fluid and brisk” appearance.

A "calm and refined" interior.

For the interior, however, the emphasis was on “calm and refined.”  The updated design offers a bit more space than what’s typically associated with a subcompact.  And the next-generation Nissan small car adopts a more refined gauge package and floating center stack.

In the Chinese package, Nissan has opted for a new 1.6-liter powertrain generating 108 horsepower – and an estimate U.S. mileage rating of around 28 City, 34 Highway.  The current model relies on an older, 1.8-liter engine.  The Xtronic CVT transmission is carried forward.

The maker also hinted that a turbocharged version may be coming, perhaps using the 1.6-liter turbo package now found in the Juke crossover.

A Chinese version of the Tiida will launch in May, with a global roll-out to follow.