Nissan Micra C+C Range
Of all the superminis that could be converted to open top form, Nissans Micra had to be one of the best candidates. It possesses all the ingredients. A modern, stiff chassis is backed up by cheeky good looks, an appealing range of engines and a shape which lends itself to the convertible transformation. The Micra C+C, as they have dubbed their coupe-convertible, is designed, engineered and built in the UK and is sure to nab quite a few sales from the established players.
It will have its work cut out to eclipse the likes of the Vauxhall Tigra and the Peugeot 207CC, but its easy to see where the Micra will score success. In short, its tough to see anything but the most metrosexual male behind the wheel of one. Still, being a little gender-specific hasnt hurt the sales of companies like TVR (its reliability record took care of that) so Nissan probably arent overly concerned that the Micra C+C is the motoring equivalent of a pair of kitten heels. Its recently been improved with a series of tweaks designed to keep it fresh.
| Build |  |
| Comfort |  |
| Depreciation | |
| Economy |  |
| Equipment | |
| Handling | |
| Insurance | |
| Performance | |
| Styling |  |
| Value |  |
"Cute and clever is rarely a poor combination. The MIcra C+C has those qualities in spades"
Inside, theres revised interior trim, an MP3 jack socket and sports sculptured seats. Youll also now find a Bluetooth hands free telephone system, a double DIN audio unit and an audible speed limit warning fitted as standard. Set your maximum speed setting by using the steering wheel button and a bleep will sound as you reach your desired limit; useful when going through reduced speed areas such as road works, villages or near schools. The basic design of the car has changed very little however.
The rear seats continue to be best left to small kids or desperately needy friends as theres not a whole lot of legroom, but they do function at a pinch. More often than not, theyll be used to throw a handbag or some shopping onto. The boot, as you might expect, isnt the biggest but 221-litres of space with the roof down isnt catastrophic. This virtually doubles when the roof is up, so dont make the error of packing the boot to the gunwales and then expect the hood to go down! The C-VIEW glass roof has been designed to create an airy, open top feel whether or not the roof is raised.
The hardtop itself can be raised or lowered without having to wrestle with any latches, clips or handles. Whats more, it can even be done while on the move and takes 22 seconds to complete its action. While this may not be the quickest system around, its worth watching this piece of automotive origami as the double-hinged boot lid flips up and swallows the roof. When the roofs in place, the boot opens conventionally at the top.
Development and production of this roof has been helped by experts Karmann, who have established a facility in Sunderland to build the hardtop modules. The 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.
Since this car was first launched, Nissan have worked hard to improve the its 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. 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. Engine options continue to comprise an 88bhp 1.4-litre powerplant or a lightweight 110bhp 1.6-litre.
Both are 16 valve four cylinder all-alloy units and comply with Euro IV emissions regulations. The punchier 1.6-litre engine is worth springing for, as the additional weight of the roof mechanism blunts performance and those extra few horsepower will certainly come into their own when contemplating overtaking opportunities. Buyers can select from URBIS, SPORT, ESSENZA and ACTIVE LUXURY trim levels with the latter three getting the 1.
6-litre engine. Theres a lot to like about Nissans Micra C+C. The chief complaint about hardtop convertibles is that they rather dull down the driving experience, but the Micra has never been sold on the basis of being a cracking drive. Instead it campaigns on its cheeky good looks, attractive value proposition, excellent build quality and unthreatening image, all attributes that the C+C can only build upon.
I appreciate Im not the target market here, but I could understand those that are being rather tempted.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Nissan Micra C+C range
PRICES: £13,550 - £15,645 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 5-6
PERFORMANCE: (1.6) 0-60mph 10s / Max Speed 119mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (1.6) (combined) 42.2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin airbags, ABS with EBD
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 3805/1860/1430mm
