I would first like to welcome Nissan back to the small car party with this the new Micra after it was first launched 30 years ago. The first Micra or March as it was called in other countries was a very competent small car. After the first generation in my opinion it lost its way, but lets forget the past and look to the future. Here it is unveiled at the 2016 Paris Auto show.
If you are in the market for a small hatchback car? Add this to your list.
This is the best looking Micra to date. Take a look at what the motor industry calls the “floating roof” which seems to be the latest in thing with main stream car design. Because of the black segment on the rear pillar it splits the roof from the rest of the car hence the floating roof. I was more impressed with the rear door handle design which is hiding high up the rear door by the window (a trick that Alfa Romeo did with the original 156). From the side view it gives the impression that it is a 2 door.
From the front it has this very noticeable “V-motion grille” which I think will make it stand out from the rest in this the very crowded B-segment car world.
Inside this car pushes the bar even further.
The qualities of the plastics and trim are what you would expect from a car in this class. The dashboard has a tactile feel to it but a highlight for me was the attention to detail which was impressive. Take a look at the stitching on the passenger side of the dashboard. Obviously this wasn’t the base model but it show you what can be done.
The driver position was high and all the controls and switches were light to touch.
The new Micra even comes with a 7 inch colour display where you will find things like the radio settings, sat nav, phone and Siri voice control through Apple CarPlay.
Engines at launch will be a 0.9 litre 3 cylinder turbo petrol engine and a 1.5 litre diesel. Both the petrol and diesel engines produce 90 hp.
There will be a 1.0 litre petrol engine producing 73 hp joining the range later.
Expect to see the new Micra in UK showrooms around March 2017.
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