Nissan Micra C+C   Women's view

Every so often, a manufacturer will launch a model with women in mind. Hannah Rainford takes a look at the latest girlie creation from Nissan - the Micra C+C

I have to admit that when the Mk III Micra hit the showrooms, I couldnt see what the fuss was about. It was too bubbly and curvy for my liking. My opinion soon changed when my own car was reversed into and my local bodyshop gave me a Mk III Micra for a week. I was very impressed by every aspect and I was very sorry to see it go.

After hearing that Nissan were going to launch a coupe/cabriolet version of the Micra, I couldnt wait to take it on a test drive. The pictures showed the car to have a sporty edge and the roof could be taken down to reveal a vehicle that was reminiscent of a car that my mum and dad bought for my Barbies in the eighties. One member of our team described the Micra C+C as the motoring equivalent of a pair of kitten heels. So as the only person in our editorial team likely to own a pair (one hopes anyway), I was partnered with the C+C for a weekend.

The Micra C+C is lower and longer than the standard Micra, an impression helped by a windscreen thats raked back at a sharp angle. This means that the roofline is 110mm lower than the standard hatchback while the overall length of the car increases by 90mm. If you think of a Micra as a sit up and beg supermini, the C+C may well come as quite a surprise. If you are worried about putting the roof up and down, then there is no need.

At the touch of a button for a mere 22 seconds, the roof can be taken down or put back up, no pushing or pulling or unnecessary lifting. Small changes to the switchgear reflect the latest updates across the Micra range and Nissan have worked hard to improve the Micras refinement, fitting thicker front door glass, improved door seals and revised wheel arch liners. Engine noise has been reduced by stiffening body panels and the roof while an engine isolation pack has been developed with thicker insulation material and better bulkhead sealing to keep noise out of the cabin. As for girlie touches, Nissan have really pushed the boat out.

As well as deep side pockets to fill with sunglasses, lip-gloss and the latest copy of Cosmo, there is a foldaway hook on the passengers side- perfect to hold all those shopping bags. Nissan have even thought about your safety: the headlights will remain on for thirty seconds to light your way to the front door or wherever you are going, so no more aimlessly rooting around for your keys at the bottom of your handbag!

I am definitely a girls girl at heart, which is why I love this cute, little Micra C+C. The girl racer in me would love to see it with a big powerful engine, but alas, this is not meant to be. This car is not for the sporty amongst you: its the perfect car for posing, shopping and cruising around the town. The driving position is good, although the steering wheel adjusts only for rake and not reach. Under-confident drivers will be relieved by the fact that the headlights are visible from the drivers seat, giving an easy width reference. Otherwise, the dashboard is a little more conventional than the wacky styling may lead you to believe.

Some of the controls are a little small but Nissan have kept the design simple and easy to fathom. One criticism would be that the Micra C+C doesnt offer a lot of room for those gifted in height. At 5ft 4ins, I am at the smaller end of the scale but I have a few friends who struggled to get comfortable in the passenger seat.

Prices start at £13,500 for the entry-level model Urbis, with a 1.4-litre engine and options including air conditioning. The Sport version has the 1.6-litre engine, 16-inch alloys, air conditioning and alloy-effect interior trim with climate control at a £250 pricetag.

Buyers can also choose the plush £15,250 1.6 Essenza, which has climate control, heated leather seats, Alcantara door trim, an in-dash six-CD autochanger, ESP and the keyless entry/ignition system. Alternatively, they could go the whole hog and get the range-topping Active Luxury.

If you like your cars to be fun and have bags of personality, then I would highly recommend the cute little Micra C+C. It will get you from A to B in style although I wouldnt recommend it for long journeys. I could definitely live with one: it would stop my other half borrowing my car all the time thats for sure. If you are a girlie girl, then youll love it. If you are the kind of gal who loves her pints of lager and packets of crisps, then youre better off with your 4x4s.