Nissan has high hopes for the fourth-generation Micra, launched in South Africa this week.
The B-segment competitor is the Japanese carmaker's first salvo in a three-pronged attempt to double its passenger car sales figures over the next five years in SA.
The new Micra, fourth-generation in worldwide markets but only the second one in SA, will be followed by a sedan and an MPV, all of which will be built on this new V (Versatile) platform. Nissan SA hopes to move at least 800 Micras a month.
The new five-door Micra (there will be no three-door anymore worldwide) takes on entry-level B-segment competitors like the recently-launched Toyota Aygo and Chevrolet Spark; mid B-segment players like the Toyota Yaris Zen, Ford Figo and Polo Vivo; and upper B-segment contenders like the new Polo.
And it really is all-new.
The familiar rounded profile of the previous Micra is evident, with the side window styling most identifiable but the new car is wider by 5mm, longer by 61mm, lower by 10mm, has a 20mm longer wheelbase, at 265 litres has 36 more litres of boot space, and at 944kg is 36kg lighter.
The design is new, with a new double-layer (smiley-face) single grille replacing the previous split grille, raised front fender lines, wheels moved further to the corners, and minimal overhangs.
Nissan seemed particularly proud of aerodynamic achievements like the boomerang-shaped grooves on the roof, which reduce resonance in the cabin; and the design of the underbody, which improves airflow and maximises downforce.
It's not a particularly exciting body design though, and this inoffensive styling, I suspect, is due to Nissan's global car approach with its new hatchback.
On the inside of the Micra designers worked around a “connected cocoon” design principle, which basically means lots of rounded shapes - like the dashboard, which gets a twin-bubble design theme and matches the circular instrument panel and rounded cubby hole. But more importantly, the slightly larger dimensions of the Micra means very decent head and legroom all round. Rear legroom is especially good with taller persons at the launch able to sit behind me comfortably when I drove.
Powering the newcomer are two petrol and one diesel engine, with only a five-speed manual gearbox available at launch across the range. The new 3-cylinder, 1.2-litre petrol (56kW/104Nm) is the highlight, with Nissan claiming consumption (5.2l/100km) and emission (124g/km) figures as among lowest in the class, and NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) levels superior to four-cylinder competitors. The new engine employs valve timing control (VTC), exhaust gas recirculation for better combustion, low friction water and oil pumps, and a high compression ratio.
The second petrol engine, a 1.5-litre four-cylinder makes 73kW and 138Nm, while the oil-burner in the range, the 1.5-litre turbodiesel produces 47kW and a healthy 160Nm.
Spec levels start with the Visia and Visia+, followed by the Acenta, then the range-topping Tekna models. All versions get ABS brakes with EBD, power steering, and driver and passenger airbags.
The Visia+ adds air conditioning, remote central locking, front electric windows and side airbags to the aforementioned items; opt for the Acenta and you also get a CD player with aux jack, a trip computer and electric mirrors. The flagship Tekna asserts its top dog status with 15-inch alloy wheels and curtain airbags among other goodies.
Only the petrol derivatives were on offer at the sea-level launch earlier this week, with the new 3-cylinder exceeding expectations in terms of power delivery. It truly is a perky little engine, offering a lively tyre chirp between first and second gears, and pulling strongly way above national highway speed limits. The bigger 1.5-litre was as spritely as you'd expect, but the 1.2-litre stole the show.
Overall ride and build quality seemed above average too (we were told long-stroke dampers for bad roads are part of the new suspension setup), with the Micra feeling bigger and more surefooted than a city runabout. Under pressure feedback from the steering can be a bit vague, and the gearshift does feel a little on the spongy side, but for the segment it competes in this shouldn't be too much of a concern. According to Nissan the Micra's turning circle, at just 4.6 metres, is also class-leading.
Pricing is keen too, with the entry level 1.2 Visia coming in at R108 400. At launch the Micra will have the lowest cost per kilometer and lowest Kinsey parts basket value in its class according to the carmaker, but the 60 000km service plan across the range is optional at a cost of around five grand. -Star Motoring.
PRICES:
Micra 1.2 Visia - R108 400
Micra 1.2 Visia+ - R117 500
Micra 1.2 Acenta - R127 500
Micra 1.5 dCI Acenta - R140 400
Micra 1.5 Tekna - R147 000