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Simplified design has yielded a better quality.
Chris Riley road tests and reviews the Nissan Micra ST.
This is the one. After driving the current crop of cheapies, Nissan's new Micra small car is the standout.
PRICE
Priced from $12,990, the entry level Micra ST hatch is powered by a tiny 1.2-litre, three cylinder petrol engine that produces just 56kW of power and 100Nm of torque.
TECHNOLOGY
With claimed fuel economy of 5.9 litres/100km and CO2 emissions of 138g/km, the 1.2-litre manual model has managed to score a 5-Star rating from the Government's Green Vehicles Guide (same rating as the hybrid Prius). Micra has a 41-litre tank and takes standard unleaded fuel. We were getting 6.2 litres/100km during testing.
EQUIPMENT
For the price the entry level ST comes well equipped. You get six airbags along with electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes, but scored only four stars in Euro crash tests (hasn't been tested here).
In addition, Bluetooth and a multifunction Drive Computer are standard, along with a unique digital anniversary reminder, air conditioning, remote entry, CD player, AUX MP3 audio input jack. The ST rides on 14 inch steel wheels fitted with good old hubcaps and 165/70 series tyres.
The steering wheel is not reach adjustable and cruise control is unfortunately not available with any model. In a clever piece of design the front passenger seat flips forward to reveal a secure hidey hole where things such as a handbag or laptop can be stashed. It comes with a full sized spare wheel.
DESIGN
Part of the design brief was to reduce the weight of the car, make it as aerodynamic as possible and install an engine that offered a combination of fun and frugality, especially around town.
Simplified design, Nissan says, has yielded a better quality, lighter vehicle that weighs just 942kg - 20kg less than the previous model despite the fact that it is larger. The car's wind drag coefficient has also been reduced and now stands at 0.32, thanks in part to an optimised roofline.
The unique lightweight, highly rigid roof panel includes boomerang-shaped grooves to reduce the transmission of noise and vibration into the cabin. The engine uses Valve Control and friction optimised components to boost efficiency, technology borrowed from the four-cylinder engine - itself a derivative of the 2.0-litre engine used in the larger Dualis.
DRIVING
While the Micra is surprisingly responsive to the throttle, the three cylinder engine is clearly not as smooth as a four. This, unfortunately, is one of the inherent drawbacks of the unbalanced three cylinder design. Such is life.
But, believe it not, it goes -- surprisingly well. Micra's two main competitors at this end of the scale are the Suzuki Alto and Holden Barina Spark, the Suzuki with an even smaller 1.0-litre three-pot.
We've driven all three cars and neither competitor has the perky, wheel spinning throttle response that a bit of right foot engenders from the Micra. Recalling the look of horror that crossed the faces of the Aussies journos at the mention of a 1.2-litre engine last year in Geneva, we probably owe Nissan some sort of apology.
NISSAN MICRA ST
Origin: Thailand
Price: $14,990
Engine: 1.2-litre, 3-cyl
Power: 56kW @ 6000rpm
Torque: 100Nm @ 4000rpm
Fuel: unleaded
Fuel tank: 41 litres
Economy (official): 6.5 litres/100km
Economy (tested): 7.4 litres/100km
Greenhouse: 154g/km (Corolla: 174g/km)
Transmission: 4-speed automatic; front-drive
Brakes: Disc/drum, ESC, ABS, EBD, brake assist
Turning circle: 9m
Suspension: Front _ MacPherson struts; Rear _ torsion beam
Wheels: 14-inch steel, 165/70R14 tyres; full-size spare
Length: 3780mm
Width: 1665mm
Height: 1525mm
Wheelbase: 2435mm
Weight: 947kg
Boot (seat up/down): 251/- litres (Corolla: 450/1121l)
Warranty: 3yr/100,000km, roadside assist
Service: 15,000km
FEATURES
- Airconditioning
- 4-speaker CD/iPod/Bluetooth audio
- 6 airbags
- Front electric windows.
Hyundai Getz auto from $15,990 (7/10)
Proton Satria Neo auto from $15,990 DA (6/10)
Suzuki Alto GL auto from $13,290 (8/10)
