Nissan Micra 2009 News

Sometimes the best cars don't win comparison tests. That was the case this week.

Nissan’s 2014 refresh for the European-market Micra has surfaced online, ahead of a likely local debut next year – although Nissan Australia would not confirm dates as yet. The latest details follow the Bangkok Motor Show preview of the Thai-spec Micra update earlier this year. The European model features similar front and rear fascia updates to the Thai model, with the exception of subtly reshaped headlights that link the Micra with the design of the Pulsar and upcoming Altima models. The redesigned LED tail-light internals appear to match the Thai model, along with the revised interior which scores a new centre stack and updated trim and materials in a bid to move the little Micra away from the ‘bargain box’ stigma. The current model starts at $13,490 and tops out at $18,990 for the Micra Ti. Europe also gains an updated optional satnav system, and USB connectivity joins the feature list for the first time. Australian-spec Micras are currently sourced from India, and which version will be adopted by India -- and therefore Australia -- is yet to be confirmed. Asked when either version of the Micra will appear locally, Nissan Australia spokesman Peter Fadeyev told Carsguide a firm “not yet.” Such a revision to the local Micra lineup is likely to be at least 12 months away though, considering the revised specs and shift to Indian supply occurred in January this year. This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn

As these sketches show, the peppy new Micra is evolving and Nissan Australia has bigger plans for the little hatch.Unlike the current Micra, which is available as a single four-door 1.4-litre for $15,990, the Japanese carmaker is looking to expand the model makeup. That means a three-door, as well as a cheaper manual model, are on the cards.In other markets the current car is also available with 1.2-litre or 1.6-litre four-cylinder engines. However, Nissan Australia spokesman, Jeff Fisher, is coy on predictions of just what models will arrive or the likely engines. "We'll have a manual but a three door? I'm not sure about that," he says.Nissan's newest mini will be critical in helping the company's push to becoming the leading import brand over the next three years. Nissan Australia managing director, Dan Thompson, has set the challenge to be the number 1 importer by 2012.The car is set to hit local showrooms late next year after debuting at the Geneva Motor Show in March. As the images show, the Micra does not deviate too much from the proven cheeky design formula of the current car. It will retain the similar compact dimensions but is expected to get slightly more cabin room, will be safer and better equipped. Nissan may also choose to leverage its Renault ties by introducing an small ultra-frugal turbo-diesel.Fisher says the new Micra will be a much more significant player for the brand than the current car, which is consistently selling about 500 a month. "It's been a good performer," Fisher says. "In fact it has outperformed our forecasts."Nissan Australia reintroduced the Micra badge in 2007 after a lacklustre foray into the local market back in the mid-1990s ."The whole idea of the current car was to get people more aware of the name and we were able to get it at a knockout price," Fisher says.Apart from the sketches, few other details are known, but Nissan has confirmed that it will go into production alongside the Tiida in Thailand from next March. It will also be built in India, where Suzuki sources its micro Alto hatch, as well as China. "There are a couple of possibilities about sourcing," Fisher says.The next-generation Micra, along with the front-drive Dualis and replacement for the Tiida hatch, are part of Nissan's bid to overtake Mazda, Hyundai and Mitsubishi as the country's favourite all-import brand. However, Fisher says the current Tiida will soldier on for a few years. He also hosed down speculation that the next-generation small hatch and sedan would revert to the better known Pulsar name of the previous car. 

  Batman's new car is here, its the futuristic Nissan Mixim, which will be rolled into the spotlight at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week. The Mixim will show what the Japanese carmaker can do to lure youngsters to the world of electric cars, even though the wild gull-wing body is draped over the basics of the Micra baby car. Nissan says the three-seater Mixim is a one-off show car, but there is more to the edgy coupe than its design. It runs on compact lithium-ion batteries, uses a pair of 'Super Motor' electric motor-generators at each end to give it all-wheel-drive, and is claimed to run hard with a useful range between plug-in top-ups. It will not be stretched at the Frankfurt show, but Nissan will still prove it is more than just a dream machine. The heart of the Mixim program is development of greener cars to get young people to buy into the future of motoring. That is why the cockpit is more like a gaming console, with the driver sitting in the centre and operating a wheel and controls that are more like a computer interface. The two passengers, sitting on either side, are just like spectators in an arcade. The shape is based on a sharp wedge body, a wrap-around windscreen inspired by the visor of a crash helmet, and gull-wing doors. The nose is closed because there is no radiator to feed, but the body has a big back end with a hatchback luggage cover. Though the Mixim is just for show, the Micra is getting closer to local showrooms. At Frankfurt, it will also be tweaked with a Colour+Concept show car dripping with liquid metal gold paint over a base of pearlescent white. There will also be a mild facelift of the showroom Mica, which is the car coming to Australia, including a new look for the headlamps, more chrome on the body, blacked-out B pillars and a new Bluetooth-compatible sound system and an essential iPod plug-in.  

It might be getting a bit long in the tooth overseas, but Nissan Australia reckons it can put a new spin on the mini Micra. The wee hatch has been on sale in Europe for five years, but Nissan hopes its bug-eyed looks, cheeky rear end and compact dimensions will generate keen interest in the hotly contested light car segment. But it will need to be good. It must square up against the Honda Jazz, Hyundai Getz, Kia Rio, Toyota Yaris, Ford Fiesta and popular Suzuki Swift when it arrives in November. For Australia, Nissan plans to keep the Micra line-up simple, with a 1.4-litre, five-door, four-speed auto-only hatch. Though European Micras are available with a 1.2-litre petrol or 1.5-litre dCi diesel, Nissan Australia general manager of marketing Ross Booth says he plans to stick to one engine, the petrol 1.4-litre. It delivers 65kW at 5200rpm and 128Nm at 3200rpm. Though it does require premium unleaded, the auto Micra delivers 5.6litres/100km in the combined European cycle. Final pricing and specifications are yet to be confirmed, but Mr Booth is confident it will hit local showrooms for about $16,000. Nissan briefly flirted with the mini-Micra from 1995-1997, but exchange rates forced it from the market. The new one is just as funky and good-looking, and Nissan hopes will bring a quality feel to the entry segment. The five-door weighs 985kg, making it a perky city runabout. Despite its relatively light weight, it got a commendable four-star European crash test result in 2003. Inside, the cabin has a European flair, with high-quality trim.  

But it will be officially launched at the Tokyo Motor Show, which starts on October 26.