The NEW Nissan Micra - Feature Rich & Cute

Overview of Nissan Micra - Unvieled on 2nd March, 2010

The all new fourth generation Nissan Micra was unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. It is going to play very crucial and key role in plans of Nissan for Indian Market. Japan's third largest automaker Nissan Motor Co. said it would begin manufacturing its popular compact car model Micra in Chennai, a step seen as challenging Maruti Suzuki's dominance in the small car market. New Nissan Micra will be excellent combination of newer generation cutting edge technology, exceptional design and advanced features. Developed and built on Nissan’s all-new V-platform, the new Nissan Micra was designed and tested in Japan to be built in at least four overseas locations, and fine-tuned to meet the differing tastes and needs of customers in 160 countries worldwide.

Price of Nissan Micra -
Ex-showroom BangaloreNissan Mira XE - Rs. 3,95,000.00
Nissan Mira XE Plus - Rs. 4,40,000.00
Nissan Mira XL - Rs. 4,80,000.00
Nissan Mira XV - Rs. 5,25,000.00


Design & Styling of Nissan Micra

 As seen in lot of renderings the 4th generation model of Micra is completely different from the 3rd generation model. As far as design is concerned the New Nissan Micra can be termed cute and smart with oval shaped headlamps and small clear lens tail lamps. Retaining its compact dimensions, the new car is slightly longer and marginally lower, while its longer wheelbase enables a ‘wheels-at-each-corner’ stance, the main reason behind the Nissan Micra’s roomier interior. The bonnet is short with a bulge/crease in centre. The front grille has a horizontal chrome strip in centre to give it a more upmarket look. The front bumper of Micra has a large air dam in centre which is flanked by clear lens round shaped fog lights on both sides.


The top models features chrome ring outside the front fog lamps. The rear design of Micra has been kept quite simple and balanced by Nissan India. It features small clear lens tail lamps with integrated turn indicators and reverse lights. The top models also features rear spoiler with integrated third stop light in it. The outside rear view mirrors of Micra are dual coloured in black along with body coloured shade. The top of the line Micra also features Body coloured bumpers, Body coloured door handles, Body coloured outside rear view mirrors, Rear Washer, Rear Wiper, Rear Defogger and Rear Spoiler.

Interiors & Safety Features of Nissan Micra

Nissan has employed a ‘connected cocoon’ design featuring a dashboard design which takes on a ‘twin bubble’ theme. This refers to the circular instrumentation binnacle and the similarly shaped glovebox compartment on the passenger side. Interiors of Nissan Micra are quite modern and up to date with all the features which you expect from a car of this class. The top model of Nissan Micra features Automatic Climate Control system, Power steering, Power windows, Remote central locking, Steering mounted controls, MP3 music system, Dual SRS Airbags, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution). The AC vents of Micra are also circular in shape with chrome outlining and also the door opening handles are circular and chrome finished.


Engine & Suspension of Nissan Micra
- 1198cc 3 cylinder In-Line Petrol Engine
- 75 Bhp Power with 104 Nm of Torque


The all-new naturally aspirated HR12 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine, which will be on offer in India employs valve-timing control (VTC), which will generate maximum power of 75 Bhp with maximum torque of 104 Nm. The engine is available with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Not satisified merely improving performance levels, engineers excelled in developing ride and handling characteristics which combine agility, refinement and poise. Mounted onto Nissan’s new signature V-platform, the suspension has been designed to be both compact, minimizing intrusion at the rear for maximum trunk space, but not at the expense of the car’s on-road dynamics. Particular attention has been paid to bump absorption, meaning that the Micra will ride serenely over challenging road surfaces, not suffer from wallow or float, and cruise effortlessly at highway speeds.


Variants of Nissan Micra
Nissan Micra is available in 4 variants.


- Nissan Micra XE
- Nissan Micra XE Plus
- Nissan Micra XL
- Nissan Micra XV

The difference between Micra XE and Micra XE Plus is that in XE Plus you get option for Factory Fitted Music System, Steering Wheel Cover, Full Wheel Cover and option to get fabric seats.


The top of the line variant XV of Nissan Micra comes fully loaded with following features:


- Automatic Climate Control system
- Keyless Entry System
- Push Button Engine Start/Stop System
- Electronic Power Steering
- Power Windows
- Rear Defogger, Wiper & Washer
- Dual SRS Airbags
- Electronic ORVMs
- ABS with EBD
- Music System with 4 Speakers

Nissan Micra is available in 6 Shades:


- Sunlight Orange
- Blade Silver
- Storm White
- Onyx Black
- Pacific Blue
- Brick Red

About Production of Nissan Micra


The plant which started production has a capacity to produce 400,000 units per year at full ramp up. The plant is spread over an area of 640 acres, represents an investment of $990 million. The initial production capacity at the plant will be 200,000 units with one line and the company is looking at producing more than 80,000 units. The plant employs 1,900 workers and will reach 3,000 in two years time. The company, along with its supplier park in Chennai, estimates a total of 6,000 jobs to be created in the region.


More than 85 per cent of its parts used for the new Nissan Micra are procured through around 96 local vendors and half of them are located in Chennai. “We always had a clear strategy for India and this has been clearly reflected in our investments in the first manufacturing plant for the alliance in Chennai. We are now confident that the Indian customers will like our product offerings beginning with the Nissan Micra, and this is the right product at the right time,” said Kiminobu Tokuyama, Managing Director and CEO, Nissan Motor India.


The new Nissan Micra, built on a new versatile platform – the V-platform, is designed to have broad appeal to customers in both emerging and developed markets. Nissan Micra was designed and tested in Japan and fine-tuned to meet the differing tastes and needs of customers worldwide. The Nissan Micra is a reliable, stylish and eco-friendly car for people who enjoy everyday driving. The compact hatchback, with its affable appearance, is also engineered for easy handling and sprightly performance, while realizing class-leading fuel efficiency.


Nissan Micra is a compact hatchback with an affable appearance and engineered for easy handling and sprightly performance, while realizing class-competitive fuel efficiency.


Innovations -
Positioned in the B+ car segment, the new Micra is equipped with some key technological innovations, which are designed to simplify day-to-day life for its owners. The Nissan Micra offers first-in-its-class Intelligent Key plus Immobilizer, a push-button engine start-stop system and electric foldable mirror. Another unique feature is the intelligent multi-display meter, which supplies drivers with real time fuel economy information, cruising range and outside temperature. In addition, the driver power windows are fitted with ‘one touch up/down’ feature along with a pinch guard.


Design -
A unique design feature of this car is the double-layer integrated grille, which provides a stylish and sophisticated look to the car, yet maintaining a classical shape. There is also a stylized version of the distinctive arched side window line, something that is central to the Micra’s heritage, identity and appeal.


Compact Exteriors -
Retaining its compact dimensions, the Nissan Micra measures 3780mm in length, 1665mm in width and 1530mm in height. The longer wheelbase (2450mm) enables a ‘wheels-at-each-corner’ stance – the main reason behind the Micra’s roomier interiors. The boomerang-shaped grooves on the roof have a clearly defined purpose too. The efforts of Nissan’s Global Production Engineering Centre also make it the lightest (XE-905kgs, XL-915kgs & XV -930kgs) yet sturdy hatchback in its segment. This has been achieved in numerous ways by reducing number of components and using newer manufacturing and material processing techniques.

Roomy and Practical Interiors -
Aiming to match the same sense of exterior style inside the car, Nissan has employed a ‘connected cocoon’ design featuring a dashboard design, which takes on a ‘twin bubble’ theme. This refers to the circular instrumentation panel and the similarly shaped glove box compartment on the passenger side. Special attention has been paid to use of materials on the instrumental panel by using Micro-grain technology. This reduces the plasticky feeling and improves productivity by ensuring quality and finish for visual and tactile appeal.


Performance -
The all-new Nissan Micra is powered by an all-new HR12 DOHC 12-valves 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine. Power is rated at 56Kw (76ps) @ 6000 rpm, while torque output is 104Nm @ 4000 rpm. The Nissan Micra comes with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The wide gear coverage enables the 1.2-litre engine to achieve economy and brisk acceleration.


Ride and Handling -
Nissan engineers have taken meticulous effort to develop the ride and handling characteristics of the car that is a perfect mix of agility, refinement and poise. Mounted onto Nissan’s new signature V-platform, the compact design of the suspension minimizes intrusion at the rear for maximum trunk space, but not at the expense of the car’s on-road dynamics. The front MacPherson Strut and rear Torsion Beam provide excellent cushioning effect, reducing fatigue during long journeys. Particular attention has been paid to bump absorption, ensuring that the Micra will ride smoothly over challenging road surfaces, not suffer from wallow or float, and cruise effortlessly at highway speeds.


Comfort and Convenience -
In contrast to its high-speed capability, the car also has superb visibility and a class-topping turning radius of 4.65m. It is equipped with several new technologies that assist with minimizing C02 emissions and mileage while at the same time making parking easier. The Nissan Micra with a top speed of 160kmph provides a class competitive fuel efficiency of 18.06 km/litre (tested and approved by ARAI). The Nissan Micra is also equipped with a class competitive boot space of 251 litres that can easily carry those extra bags of shopping during travel.


Safety -
In the area of safety technology, Nissan pursues innovation as part of its “Safety Shield” concept, an advanced, proactive approach to safety issues based on the idea that cars should help protect people. The incorporation of the ‘V-platform’ is one major factor contributing to the car’s improved impact safety. The car is designed to absorb the forces of a frontal impact, owing to the sophisticated crumple zones, while maintaining cabin integrity due to its highly reinforced body shell. All variants including the entry level (XE) are equipped with driver airbag. The top variant (XV) has been fitted with standard safety equipment such as Driver + Front Passenger airbag, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA).


The Nissan Micra comes with a standard manufacturers’ warranty of 2 years/50,000kms (whichever is earlier). In order to understand customer needs and resolve their queries, Nissan has established ‘Nissan Care’ – A Customer Contact Centre. Customers can reach Nissan by dialing Toll-free No 1800-209-4080.