Nissan plans to blitz the compact car market next month when the company launches the all-new Micra range priced from $12,990 (RRP).
Unlike some compact car price leaders, the all-new K13 model Nissan Micra will only be sold as a five-door hatchback. And to give the good-looking, fuel-efficient newcomer the best launch, Nissan will introduce the entry-level ST version at a ‘Driveaway’ price of $13,990.
Power for the ST Micra comes from a new 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine which delivers 56kW at 6,000rpm and peak torque of 100Nm at 4,000rpm. Significantly, this engine gives the new Nissan Micra a five-star rating in the Green Vehicle Guide – fuel consumption is as low as 5.9l/100kms and exhaust emissions rate at only 138g/km.
Nissan Micra ST-L and Ti models score the 1.5-litre, four-cylinder powerplant with 75kW at 6,000rpm and 136Nm at 4,000rpm. Fuel consumption is as low as 6.5l/100kms and emissions score down to 153g/km.
ST-L models are priced from $14,990 while range-topping Ti models are stickered at $16,990 and come with 15-inch alloy wheels, fog-lights, reversing sensors, climate-control air-conditioning and the Nissan Intelligent Key with push button start/stop.
Transmission choice across the new Nissan Micra range is either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.
Underneath is Nissan’s all-new V-platform. ‘V’ stands for versatile as the new Micra is manufactured in Thailand (source for Australia), India, China and Mexico. Significantly, Micras sold at home, in the quality-obsessed Japanese market, are also sourced from the Thailand plant.
While some hallmark styling cues have carried over from the previous model, the all-new Micra is more bold and sophisticated in its styling. It’s also cleverer – with features like a lightweight, yet highly rigid roof panel complete with boomerang-shaped grooves to reduce the transmission of noise and vibrations to the passenger compartment.
All-new Nissan Micra’s improved aerodynamics have reduced drag to 0.32 cD and despite being 55mm longer than the current model, the newcomer delivers best-in-class manoeuvrability thanks to its nine metre turning circle.
Nissan has also equipped the all-new Nissan Micra with the safety features demanded these days by buyers of compact cars – features like front, side and curtain airbags plus Vehicle Dynamic Control, Anti-Lock Brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist.
Nissan first brought the Micra to Australia in the early 1990s. Designed and manufactured in England, it came with an excellent reputation for quality and performance but unfortunately it carried a premium price into the budget-priced segment.
The nameplate returned in 2007 with the current version. Offering just a single engine and transmission, it has still sold 20,000 vehicles.
This time around Nissan has signalled it is serious about conquesting sales from existing rivals in the compact car segment and - on first acquaintance - it would appear the all-new model has the required specifications and pricing.
