Nissan MICRA 1.0 RANGE
British Built And Funky With It, Nissans Latest Micra 1.0 Is Sure To Be Popular. By Andy Enright
Stop for a moment and think about what buyers look for when shopping for a supermini car.
Nissan did. They decided that because buyers wanted a small car, there was little point in making a large one. It seems obvious but its a lesson that has escaped many manufacturers.
Customers were interested in making a style statement but still wanted reliability, practicality and all those other boring things without appearing boring. The car that Nissan have produced redefines the way we look at the supermini class. The Micra 1.0 models bring affordability and style together in a neat package.
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Manufacturers in this class have long had an obsession with maximising the amount of internal space. The Japanese have been some of the worst culprits in this instance. Who cares if theres enough room to
seat Shaquille ONeal in the back seat if your car ends up looking about as attractive as a dumpster? Given that most of the time we use the rear seats of our superminis for the kids or to sling shopping or jackets onto, most buyers would sacrifice ultimate space for a stylish profile at least thats what
Nissan is banking on. The asking price to get behind the wheel of one of the most distinctive supermini shapes for years isnt exorbitant.
The three-door 1.0 E model opens at £7,795 although youll need to fork out another £650 for the five-door version. This trim level is the only one available with the 1.0-litre engine, although the next variant up - the 1.
2-litre S - is, model for model, only £555 extra.
"Its a supermini with a bit of class, a British built funster that wont leave you feeling short changed"
The 1.0-litre engine cranks out a modest 64bhp, but the flipside of this is that it will return a creditable 48.7mpg. The top speed is a licence friendly 96mph and youll be detained for 15.
5 seconds if sprinting to 60mph seems a good idea. But flogging a Nissan Micra off the line defeats the point of the car. Its a supermini with a bit of class, a British built funster that wont leave you feeling short changed. Even the entry level E trim level includes electric power steering, a tiltable steering column, front electric windows and a CD-based stereo.
Twin airbags, an electric rear tailgate release function ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and remote central locking with an anti-hijack feature are also included in the standard equipment roster. Nissan have realised that whilst men dont routinely enjoy being hijacked, these sort of safety functions are especially welcomed by women, who make up a significant proportion of Micra buyers. Every Micra, for example, is equipped with Friendly Lights, Nissan-speak for headlights that illuminate the way to the front door at night when you arrive at your journeys end. The Micra 1.
0 E also includes a standard battery save feature that realises when youve forgotten to switch an interior light off. Nissan must have had a whole team of their brightest working on lights, because the Micra also features ovoid front lights that incorporate a bubble that illuminates with the headlights and which is visible from the drivers seat when parking. As long as you remember that youve got another six inches or so of Micra ahead of the illuminated bubble, you should be able to squeeze into the tightest spots. The Micra is nothing if not innovative.
Despite all of its curves, arcs and bulges, its fair to say that it has turned a definite corner. Being the first supermini for quite some time which hasnt set out to be the most spacious car in its class, instead preferring to concentrate on distinctive styling, may well pay off for Nissan. The exterior styling is certainly remarkable. At the cars UK launch at the 2002 Birmingham Motor Show, the Micra proved quite a draw and it was illuminating to witness quite how many people felt compelled to touch the car, to run their hands over its bulbous headlamps or to rest upon one of its jutting hips.
The domed roof is 100mm higher than the old Micra and the width has been increased a tad, but the overall length is shorter but with a longer wheelbase. It is packaged more efficiently than the old car, although not in the same league as rivals like the
Honda Jazz. Nevertheless, the Micra manages the feat of making Hondas baby look pretty dull. The flanks have a bevelled waistline that runs from front to rear wing, giving the styling an integrated, cohesive look.
The headlights are the key design touch, looking for all the world as if theyd illuminate skywards like twin searchlights. The rear lights are neat vertical strips housed into a bustle thats modestly reminiscent of Renaults current styling theme. In fact, this French connection isnt coincidental. The Micra is the first car to be built on the Alliance supermini platform developed jointly by Nissan and its majority shareholder
Renault.
Its a platform that draws upon the companies joint expertise in compact engines, the units in question being fitted tightly beneath the minuscule bonnet. The driving position is good, although the steering wheel adjusts only for rake and not reach. Underconfident 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, although the Bakelite-style ivory control switches on the upper spec models are a neat touch, apparently designed to ape traditional Japanese ceramics.
The Micra feels a good deal sharper than expected on the road, with an emphasis placed on driver enjoyment. The ride isnt bad for such a small car, although noise insulation isnt a strong point. The Nissan Micra 1.0 E, whether in three or five-door form, is the most cost effective method of putting that shape on your drive.
For many, this will be as much justification as they need, but theres more to it than just a cheeky profile. With a fun outlook, keen equipment levels and the usual Nissan reliability record promised, this Micra punches way above its weight.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Nissan Micra 1.0 range
PRICES: £7,795-£8,445 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 2E
CO2 EMISSIONS: 141g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 15.5s / Max Speed 96mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (average) 48.7mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin airbags, ABS with EBD
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, (5dr) 3715/1860/1540mm
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