Nissan Micra Colour + Concept Show Car Revealed

Nissan has chosen the eccentric Micra model to show the latest color and paint technology in the one-off “Micra Colour + Concept” which debuts in two weeks at Frankfurt. Developed by Nissan Design Europe, the Micra has a gold and white two-tone scheme which at first glance is just a two tone car with a lot of over spray on the windscreen. But closer inspection of the gold finish renders a surface which appears to be liquid. This is accomplished with a special-effect pigment added to the paint.  Naturally, Nissan chose to coat all semi-horizontal surfaces including the windshield with the Liquid Metal gold paint to enhancing the liquid effect as light reflects more efficiently to bystanders looking down upon it. For the vertical surfaces, Nissan uses a standard three-stage clearcoat pearl white for contrast. Don't forget your swimming trunks.

Nissan will also take the opportunity to present new trim upgrades for the Micra which include an assortment of chrome accents throughout plus blackened headlamp bezels and B-Pillar for a more mature look according to Nissan. The Micra also gets double DIN radio/CD player with Bluetooth allowing hands-free phone conversations. Other upgrades include a USB plug for portable MP3 players and a speed limit warning device.

Press Release

The Micra Colour + Concept show car has been designed and conceived at Nissan Design Europe, the company’s European design headquarters in London, to showcase the latest colour and paint technology and to highlight the changes that have been made to the entire Micra range.

The biggest visual impact, however, is the paint effect. Micra Colour + Concept has been given a two-tone treatment with a Liquid Metal gold paint effect running over the top of the car and contrasting with the three coat pearlescent white finish on the car’s flanks.

The gold finish has an intense depth that makes it appear liquid to the touch. The extreme metallic look is the result of a special-effect pigment added to the paint.

Inside the Colour + Concept theme continues with a high contrast between the upper and lower portions of the interior. Re-upholstered in sumptuous white leather, the seats have accented detailing and stitching. Carpets and lower internal panels are a darker acid yellow to contrast with the pale upper portion of the dashboard.

New Micra

A more mature Micra will be one of the stars of Nissan’s stand at the Frankfurt motor show. Micra celebrates its upcoming fifth birthday with subtle changes to its external appearance, interior trim, as well as the addition of new items of user-friendly equipment.

Thanks to clever use of visual features such as subtle chrome touches, darkened headlamp surrounds and blackened ‘B’ pillars, Micra enters a new phase of its life looking more sophisticated, more modern and more mature.

Inside, new materials and revised colour treatments again provide a more mature and sophisticated ambience. The model line up has been simplified, now with four main grades: Visia, Acenta, Tekna and the premium Active Luxury grade.

The philosophy of providing “Friendly Technology” on the Micra continues. One example is the new double DIN radio/CD player. Incorporating Bluetooth® technology, it enables calls from a compatible mobile phone to be channeled through the audio system. With a control switch neatly incorporated on the steering wheel, calls can be placed and received hands-free.

An additional feature is an auxiliary input jack socket that allows music from personal MP3 players to be heard through the car’s stereo system. Another new piece of equipment offering greater safety and convenience in equal measure is a speed limit warning. Activated by a switch on the leather-bound steering wheel, a warning chime sounds when a pre-set speed limit is breached.