Nissan takes covers off all-new Micra at Paris Motor Show

Nissan has revealed the new Micra at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. Targeted at Europe, the world’s largest hatchback market, the fifth-generation Micra is lower, wider and longer than its predecessors and has more interior space. It also has advanced new downsized turbo drivetrains, an agile chassis and a full complement of innovative safety features.

“When the first Micra appeared more than 30 years ago, it marked a revolution in the small hatchback segment and opened a new chapter for Nissan. The fifth-generation Micra is just as revolutionary, and will raise expectations for what a hatchback can, and should, deliver to its customers,” said Carlos Ghosn, CEO, Nissan Motor Company, “Following in the wheel tracks of distinctive cars like Qashqai and Juke, the latest Micra reinforces Nissan’s position as a leader in automotive design. It also shows our intent to compete right at the top of Europe’s B-segment market – the largest and most competitive B-segment market in the world.”

Early on, the company identified what it calls the three key attractors of European buyers to superminis: expressive design, an inviting interior and what it calls confident (meaning stable and agile) handling.

The new Micra’s dimensions are different from those of the outgoing model, placing it in the mainstream of European B-segment hatchbacks for the first time. Length is now 3995mm (up by 170mm), while a width of 1742mm (up 77mm) makes the new model the widest in its class. 

Height is reduced by 69mm to a class average 1452mm (the previous Indian-built edition made head-room for turban-wearing owners a priority), while the wheelbase is 75mm longer at a class-competitive 2525mm, which benefits boot space in particular.

True to Sway concept

Remaining faithful to the Sway Concept unveiled at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the Micra Gen5 fully embodies Nissan’s latest design language with signature design cues and emotional body sculpting. Design cues include the distinctive V-motion grille, from where the sharp-edged character line runs through to the rear end, boomerang-shaped lights, and the floating roof – another Nissan design signature – that creates an airy feeling. Other features include rear door handles hidden in the C-pillars and an extended roofline that incorporates a spoiler, benefiting the car’s aerodynamic performance and aesthetics.

Much attention has been paid to driver comfort, with a lower driving position for a more secure driving feel. It’s easy for all drivers to achieve the perfect driving position thanks to greater seat adjustment, the fully adjustable steering wheel and the optimal positioning of the pedals and shift lever. The car’s extended width and wheelbase means cabin space is among the best in class. The gliding-wing shaped dashboard gives the cabin a light, sleek and spacious impression.

Technology on board

The new Micra is the first in Nissan’s B-segment line-up to offer such an extensive set of advanced safety features, available across all grades, bringing Nissan Intelligent Driving to life. Usually found in larger cars, available technologies include Lane Departure Prevention, a segment first. Intelligent Emergency Braking with pedestrian recognition, a first for Nissan vehicles in Europe, as well as Intelligent Around View Monitor, Traffic Sign Recognition, High Beam Assist and Blind Spot Warning.

An exclusive feature is the all-new six-speaker Bose Personal sound system, developed through close collaboration with Nissan. This first-of-its-kind sound system is optimised for the driver, with two Bose UltraNearfield speakers, combined with Bose PersonalSpace Virtual Audio Technology, built into the driver seat headrest for a remarkably immersive listening experience. Additional passengers benefit from new Bose Super65 speakers in each of the front doors, producing powerful low-note performance, and tweeters in each A-pillar for sonic clarity.  

Micra Gen5 comes with a 7-inch full colour central display, providing access to the audio system, satellite navigation, mobile phone, downloadable apps and Siri voice control via Apple CarPlay.

Chassis and powertrain

The Micra will have a specially configured version of the 89bhp 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel found in smaller Renaults, plus a turbocharged 0.9-litre three-cylinder petrol engine of the same output. A 69bhp, non-turbo petrol triple will arrive later, and a 120bhp version of the 0.9 turbo will follow that. All engines get standard manual gearboxes, but Nissan is likely to offer a CVT auto in at least one model. 

Insiders admit there will be a close underskin relationship between the Micra and the next Clio, but for now the two are built on different platforms. The two cars’ suspensions (front struts, twist beam behind) differ in detail, but even when the Clio moves to Micra hardware, Nissan engineers say enough variation will be available to provide differences in what drivers feel.

Nissan engineers have tested the Micra all over Europe to reach settings for brakes, wheel dimensions, tyre brand and size, steering and suspension rates. They have also tuned the electronic systems that govern dynamics: Active Trace Control (which uses brake applications to keep the car on line in corners) and Active Ride Control (which uses nose dive from imperceptible brake applications to improve body control over large bumps).

The new Nissan Micra will be built in Europe at the Renault plant in Flins, France, as part of the Renault Nissan Alliance. Sales will start in Europe from March 2017.

(With inputs from Autocar UK)