Nissan MICRA SE EXTRAS
Nissan Just Keep On Giving But Is Their Micra SE Extras Pack Something Worth Having? Steve Walker Reports
Its like your old grandfather used to say "You dont get something for nothing, not in this life". Well actually gramps, you do. Assuming you were going to spend around £8,000 to £10,000 on a Nissan Micra SE anyway, Nissan will hand you an Extras pack - which surely must be considered something - in exchange for precisely nothing. There you have it, literally something for nothing.
Grandpa would hardly credit it.
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Of course, you cant access Nissans generous offer unless you buy a Japanese supermini costing at least £8,495 and, in most peoples books, this will serve as ample evidence to prove the old codgers something for nothing maxim correct. Well gently gloss over that fact, however, and concentrate on what genuinely does look like a big-hearted gesture on the part of
Nissan toward Micra SE buyers. The Extras package that everyone buying a Micra SE will receive for a limited period, consists of "15 alloy wheels and an electric sunroof. Together, these two items are valued at £885 and Nissan are also going a stage further by making a reduction of £855 off the official list price for all Micra SE cars. As well as dishing out £885 worth of equipment for free, this Extras offer also provides a £855 saving, so the whole deal combined has an equivalent value of £1,740 - a big bonus when were talking about £8,000 to £10,000 cars. In a further bid to convince the motoring public of the Micra SEs merits.
Nissan point out that its rather more opulently equipped than comparable models from rival manufacturers. Only the basic S and the minimalist E designations are to be found below the SE in the Micra hierarchy but buyers still receive standard features like air-conditioning, twin front airbags, side airbags, remote central locking and a trip computer. Then theres Nissans intelligent key system which lets you open, get in and drive away in your Micra without ever laying fingers on the key. Dont worry though, nobody else will be able to do likewise, unless theyve got the key about their person.
Another useful feature present on the SE is the sliding rear bench
seat. When you need more luggage space you slide it forward to extend the boot and when youve leggy friends on board it can be slid rearward to create extra passenger space. Still not convinced that the Micra SE is the car for you? Well Nissan arent ones to give up easily and as one final throw of the dice, they are providing a years free insurance on all Micra SE models purchased before the end of September. Again, it isnt quite something for nothing but all you have to do is pay for your car using the Nissan Preferences PCP scheme.
Its also worth remembering that similar Extras offers are running concurrently on the Nissan Almera and Almera Tino models.
"The Extras package that everyone buying a Micra SE will receive for a limited period, consists of "15 alloy wheels and an electric sunroof"
The entire Micra engine range is available with the SE trim level and the Extras pack, bar the entry-level 1.0-litre petrol. This means a line-up of 4 distinct engines split down the middle between petrol and diesel. Overall, people looking for hot or even warm hatch performance wont be left licking their lips at the prospect of firing up any of the Micras engines.
The 1.4-litre petrol unit is the quickest and 11.9s is the time it takes to amble up to 60mph. Look to the 65bhp 1.
5-litre dCi diesel engine and the 0-60mph sprint becomes more of a leisurely stroll at 17s dead. The actual figures are less than impressive but the Micra does use modern engines and youll find them agreeably lively at the lower speeds that typify modern urban motoring. Until the Micra R hot hatch weve recently seen in prototype form hits the streets, performance is unlikely to be viewed as the Micras strongest point but the engine options do deliver quite outstanding fuel economy. The 1.
2-litre petrol will average 48mpg during normal driving but thats still some way short of the 82bhp 1.5 dCi diesel, which sips its fuel at an average rate of 62mpg. Economy like the Micras is difficult to come by in any other supermini, with visits to the filling station becoming rare occasion indeed. The Nissan Micras big selling point is its styling and if you dont like that, you wont want to buy the car.
Fortunately, most people do like it. 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.
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, 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.
Overall the Nissan Micra looks and feels reassuringly modern. Nissan have broken wholesale with staid, reliable but unexciting image of the previous car and the result is perhaps the most distinctive supermini around. The SE versions have been made that bit more desirable and affordable by the Extras pack special offer. It may not be something for nothing but something for very little is about as good as youll get anywhere these days.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Nissan Micra SE Extras pack
PRICES: £8,495-£10,245 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 2E-4E
PERFORMANCE: [1.2] 0-60mph 13.9s / Max Speed 104mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.2] (average) 47.8mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin airbags, side airbags, ABS with EBD
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, (5dr) 3715/1860/1540mm
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