New Nissan Micra

Press Release

Street chic

 

In the world of high fashion, looks change with the season. The same goes for the world of stylishly elegant city cars and the Micra is no exception - just two years after it went on sale, the chic Nissan Micra has gone under the surgeon’s knife.  And there are more changes beneath its skin.

 

The resulting nip ‘n’ tuck plus colour make-over keeps the Micra looking as young and as sophisticated as ever.  New Sport and 160SR versions on sale now as well as the clever Micra C+C coupé-convertible that comes later to SHIFT_ the Micra’s undoubted appeal further.  All were designed and engineered in the UK and they’ll be built here at Nissan’s highly productive plant in Sunderland.

 

Aside from the new 160SR, changes made to the Micra might look minor… but they go deeper than a quick glance suggests. The most obvious external changes are a new-look nose and tail, while inside there are revised seats and trim.  Outside and in there are new colours, too.

 

But the arguably more significant changes can be found in the detail. Major programmes have been undertaken to improve still further the car’s refinement levels with better sound proofing and extra measures taken to isolate noise from the engine compartment. The enhancements even extend to thicker door glass to reduce wind and traffic noise.

 

There’s greater comfort on offer with more supportive seats while the revised dashboard includes a new trip computer housed within the instrument panel rather than the centre console: this not only makes the information easier to access but also permits the option of an in-dash six disc CD-changer in the centre console.

 

New user-friendly features, such as automatic lighting control, add to the already impressive roster of helpful on-board technology while the new Micra is also better prepared to deal with street fighters – the bumpers are sturdier to offer greater protection from those who park by ear.

 

The 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre versions of the familiar 16-valve twin cam unit from the CR family of engines and the two 1.5-litre common-rail diesel models continue unchanged.  But the 1.0-litre engine previously fitted to the entry-level Micra E has now been replaced with a 65PS version of the 1.2.

 

At the top of the range, there’s a brand new engine. The unit, which has been developed specifically for the Micra, is based on the new 1.5-litre HR engine that powers the Japanese-market Note and Tiida models. For Micra, it has been increased in capacity to 1598cc to develop 110PS and 153Nm of torque. The new engine can be found not only in the 160SR but also later in the C+C.

 

UK customers can now choose from two Micra collections: Classic and Sport. 

 

The changes in Detail

 

Exterior

 

Although the rounded shape of the new Micra remains largely unchanged, the latest version enjoys a number of subtle improvements designed to keep its city-chic image right up to the minute.

 

The most obvious external changes are up front. A revised grille now incorporates a longer horizontal silver bar in front of a honeycomb mesh while grille-mounted front direction indicators are better integrated with clear glass rather than amber lenses.

 

The lower portion of the front bumper assembly has also been changed – there are now two distinct versions to differentiate sporting Micras from the Classic models. The Sport and 160SR have an aggressive-looking wide intake with a more angular shape to the moulding, and deep inset fog lamps either side.  The Classic range has a more rounded opening and the overall design of the bumper is curvier with integrated rubbing strips.

 

Sporting models also have revised rear bumpers with a lower central cut-out and pronounced lower ridge which picks up a styling line from subtly extended sills. They also feature a new body colour roof spoiler.  Classic models have a slimmer rear bumper and new rubbing strips.

 

In all cases the bumpers are stronger than before, for which we can thank the French.  Pourquoi?  Soon after the Micra was launched in 2003, a team of engineers from Nissan’s Bedfordshire based Technical Centre undertook a fact-finding trip across Europe. They spent several weeks in major cities observing city life.  Parking techniques varied dramatically from country to country. While in London, for example, parking is a relatively polite undertaking, in Paris it’s far more brutal.  In one case, the team watched open-mouthed as a Parisian driver used his car to shunt two others further up the street so he could squeeze his in at the end of the bay. Mon dieu. 

 

As a result of this urban surveillance, the impact resistant bumper material has been increased in thickness from 2.2mm to 2.5mm and up to 3.0mm in areas of particular vulnerability. At the same time integrated mouldings have been added to the front and rear bumpers of Classic models (painted black or body colour depending on the version) along with the option of side rubbing strips. The brackets behind the bumpers have also been reprofiled and strengthened.

 

In keeping with the exterior changes, the Micra is now offered in new season Cool Blue (a light ice blue) and Café Latte paint shades. Two other colours previously available only on the Urbis limited edition – Emotion Red and Soft Green – are now available across the line-up. New wheel trims and 15 or 16 inch alloy designs (standard on the 160SR, optional on certain other models) complete the exterior mods. 

 

Interior

 

Colour revisions can also be found inside the latest Micra.  Consultants at Nissan’s new colour studio in Paddington have identified street fashion combinations such as Ice Blue/Chestnut and Sand/Chestnut from hanging out in the trendier parts of London and people watching.   In both cases, the lighter colour can be found on the seats, revised door trims and dashboard where it contrasts dramatically with the darker shade.  For the not so brave, an all-black interior is also available.

 

New seat designs, including a more firmly bolstered version for Sport and 160SR models, provide greater comfort and support. There are a total of 11 different colour/fabric combinations, including two-tone leather trim that’s optional on the 160SR. The lever used to release the front seats on three door models has been repositioned nearer the top of the backrest where it’s easier to reach.  And the backrest also now returns to the preferred angle once the rear seats have been accessed.

 

The dashboard has been altered with the trip computer read-out repositioned between the dials in the instrument panel where it’s quicker to see. The computer’s functions encompass clock, outside air temperature, A and B trip meters, journey time, average speed, fuel consumption and range. It also houses a service interval indicator and, a new feature, an oil level indicator.

 

The instruments, which are now chrome ringed, have also been changed, with grey-on-ivory dials on sporting models and white-on-black dials for other versions. Manual transmissioned Micras gain a chrome ring around the gear lever surround.  Moving the trip computer read-out from the centre console has allowed an in-dash six disc CD-changer (standard on SE and above) to be incorporated into the sound system, while other improvements include the adoption of easier-to-grip rubberised knurled wheels for the fresh air vents in place of plastic thumbwheels. The rear window wiper now has a longer blade to sweep more of the screen – small things, perhaps, but important when it comes to a customer’s perception of overall quality.

 

The same can be said for the work that has gone into enhancing the Micra’s refinement levels. Greater comfort goes far deeper than new seats and much of the improvements to the latest Micra can be found under the skin where stiffer internal body panels and better noise insulation combine to increase refinement by reducing engine, road and wind noise.

 

Principal changes designed to lower wind noise centre on revised door seals and thicker front door glass on five door models, while new rear wheel arch liners have been added. These have the dual benefits of improving appearance by concealing the exhaust, fuel feed hose and parts of the under-body structure, at the same time as reducing splash noise when driving in the rain.

 

Engine boom has also been reduced by the stiffening of body panels between the engine bay and cabin – notably the front bulkhead, transmission tunnel and upper dashboard assembly, while the front roof structure has also been stiffened, the roof rail having been increased in thickness from 0.62mm to 0.72mm.

 

At the same time, a new engine isolation pack has been developed with thicker insulation material and improved grommets for better bulkhead sealing. Diesel models have also been fitted with a new steering vibration damper. Other quality improvements include thicker carpets in the luggage area and the adoption of a new luggage spacer in the spare wheel well to house the tools and jack to prevent rattling.

New features

 

One of the keys to new Micra’s sales success has been the inclusion of practical technology – features more usually found on bigger cars, but which are easy to use and add functionality. Talking of keys, the Intelligent Key, which allows the doors and boot to be locked and unlocked and the engine started without the need to dive deep into a handbag, has proved to be a much loved feature of the Micra and is retained on the SVE.  It’s optional on others as part of the appropriately named Clever Pack.

 

The same goes for the automatic wipers and the rear parking proximity sensors. For the latest Micra, Nissan has added the option of automatic operation of the lights.

 

A new sensor-controlled setting on the lighting stalk allows the lights to be set to automatic, ensuring that the headlamps switch themselves on and off. As well as increasing comfort by reducing the driver’s workload, auto lighting boosts safety by ensuring the headlights are always on when needed.  So no more driving off at night with the lights inadvertently switched off, or being plunged into the dark when entering a tunnel or underground car park.

 

Model range

 

Three petrol engines and two diesel options power the new Micra, power outputs ranging from 65PS to 110PS. The common rail 1.5-litre, eight valve four cylinder turbo diesel – developed by Alliance partner Renault – is available in two states of tune, developing 65PS or 82PS when intercooled.

 

Nissan’s CR family of petrol engines is available in either 1.2- (1240cc) or 1.4-litre (1385cc) forms. The 1.2 is available in two levels of tune developing 65PS and 80PS respectively, while the 1.4 develops 88PS. All are 16 valve four cylinder all-alloy units and comply with Euro IV emissions regulations. The third petrol engine, also Euro IV compliant, is a new, lightweight, low friction, 1.6-litre which develops 110PS and powers the 160SR. The higher powered 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre petrol versions are available with the option of a four speed automatic gearbox in place of the standard five speed manual transmission.

 

Range line-up and prices

 

Customers browsing at their local Nissan store will be able to select from two Micra lines, Classic and Sport.  There are four Classic styles: E, S, SE and SVE.  Alternatively, on the trendy rail there are three: Sport, Sport with Appearance pack, and 160SR.

 

The Micra E is powered by a new version of the 1.2-litre petrol engine and gives 65PS.  At £8075 for the three-door or £8725 for the five- Nissan would argue it makes an interesting real car alternative to the new crop of smaller city runabouts.  Despite the E’s budget status, it still comes equipped with twin airbags, electric speed sensitive power steering, electric front windows, a CD player, anti-lock brakes with brakeforce distribution, remote central locking with anti-hijack feature, and many other life-easing convenience features such as can-holders front and rear plus a bag hook.  Anyone for a curry?

 

The S adds the 80PS edition of the 1.2 motor as standard plus side airbags, a sliding rear seat (to vary the passenger space vs. cargo ratio), three rear headrests and active front seat headrests  all for £555.  For another £700, you can go for dCi power in 65PS tune.

 

If you’ve got a further £1000 handy, the SE adds aircon, the in-dash 6CD autochanger with 6 speakers, 15” wheels, electric door mirrors, leather steering wheel, upgraded trim and a storage box under the front passenger seat.  At this level you could also choose the 1.4-litre petrol engine or dCi 82PS diesel.  SE prices range from £9630 for the 1.2 three-door up to £11,480 for the 1.4 five-door with automatic transmission.

 

The snazziest classic trim is worn by the Micra SVE.  It’s £1245 more than the equivalent SE but adds electronic climate control, 15” alloys in a new design, rear parking sensors, side curtain airbags, Intelligent Key and automatic headlights plus wipers.  1.4 manual and auto or 1.5 dCi 82PS engines are offered.  The latter in five-door form is £12,625.

 

For anyone seeking a racier looking small car, Nissan has created the Micra Sport.  Prices start at £9780 for the 1.2-litre three-door.  The 1.4-litre petrol engine adds £300 to this and the 1.5-litre dCi 82PS a further £800.  Five-door versions are available, too.  Based on the Micra S, the Sport gets a different exterior look with bumpers, spoilers and tinted lamps borrowed from the 160SR.  The 15” alloy wheels are different though.  Inside, the Sport gets, well, sporty trim and seats plus a leather rimmed steering wheel, trip computer and in-dash 6CD autochanger.  For another £750, Nissan has put together aircon, the 160SR’s 16” alloys and aluminium look pedals in one tempting pack.  Style-wise, the Sport makes a further SHIFT_ for Micra.

 

Despite its comparatively short life, the current Micra has had a significant effect on Nissan sales and on the company’s image. As well as appealing to previous Micra owners, the friendly rounded shape of the current model has found a discerning new audience.

 

The latest Micra, as intended, has attracted younger owners to the marque while the percentage of female buyers has risen, too. Today, some 66 per cent of owners are female while the average buyer is in her (or sometimes his) mid-40s, down from an average 52.5 years for the previous generation Micra.  And the named buyer isn’t necessarily the driver so the real age is likely to be even lower.

 

At the same time, the number of buyers new to Nissan – the so-called conquest purchasers – has risen to account for more than 70 per cent of all new sales. The latest changes are expected to maintain the female/male ownership percentage but to lower the average age to 44 years and to boost conquest sales to 80 per cent.  That’s sales nicked from other brands for anyone not conversant in marketingese.