Nissan Micra: City Chic

Motoring Channel Staff - 12/October/2007

Sydney, Australia — Nissan is set to cut deep into the city car market with its new user-friendly  Micra, bringing style and value to this highly competitive segment. Priced at under $15,000, the new model has a Japanese style unlike any other, and will compete with cars like the Toyota Yaris and Holden Barina for buyers' attention.

Nissan’s marketing general manager, Ross Booth, says the Micra is the perfect car for the city market. "The Nissan Micra stands out from the crowd but its funky looks, great driving characteristics and incredible packaging," he says - and he has a point. The compact five seater comes ready to roll with with air-conditioning, driver and front passenger airbags, anti-lock brakes, front active headrests, power windows, power mirrors, central locking with keyless entry, MP3 compatible single in-dash CD player and 60/40 split folding rear seat. All for $14,990.

Powered by an all-aluminium, 16-valve twin cam 1.4-litre engine matched to a standard four-speed automatic gearbox with Nissan’s Variable Valve Timing control system, and a ‘Drive-by-Wire’ electronic throttle, the new Micra sets the benchmark in the light car segment with its city-friendly driving position and handling.

Short body overhangs front and rear and a class-leading turning circle of just 8.8 metres combined with speed sensitive electric power steering make it a peach to use in city conditions. And the design, based on what Nissan describes as"muscular but reassuring and cosy" styling cues, offers a high roofline giving passengers a more upright position to improve comfort and also giving greater luggage space.

 "All these things give the Micra a definite edge over its nearest competitors," says Booth.