All-new Nissan Micra revealed

Here are the first official pictures of the new Nissan Micra. Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, there’s a lot for us to get excited about.

For starters, it’s the first Nissan for the masses in India. When it is launched here in July 2010, it will be powered by a three-cylinder petrol engine, driving the wheels through an optional continuously-variable transmission or a five-speed manual.

See official images of the new Nissan Micra here.

The Micra will also get a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel, the same Renault K9K unit which powers the Logan. Power output is likely to be the same as the Renault but in the substantially lighter Micra the 65bhp engine will feel significantly more powerful and efficient too.

Nissan says the new Micra will be nearly 10 percent more fuel efficient than its closest rivals. Tipping the scales at an estimated 970kg, the Micra will be one of the lightest cars in its class and matched only by the smaller Swift.

It is a truly global car for Nissan and will be built in Thailand, India (at the new Oragadam plant near Chennai) , Mexico and China.

As you can see from the pictures, it is a compact car its simple, rounded lines lack the design flair of some of the small cars in the Indian market. Unlike the newly launched VW Polo and Chevy Beat which is out to make a style statement, or the futuristic-looking Jazz, Nissan has deliberately given the new Micra a ‘gender-free’ and more functional design that focuses more on interior space, comfort and ease of driving. 

It is slightly longer and marginally lower than the outgoing Micra. Its longer wheelbase enables a ‘wheels-at-each-corner’ stance, which frees up a lot of space in the passenger cabin. Nissan also paid a lot of attention to the dynamic abilities of the Micra.

Mounted onto Nissan's new V-platform, the suspension is compact, minimizing intrusion into boot space and particular attention has been paid to bump absorption. On Indian roads, the occupants will be cushioned by a long-travel suspension which uses the standard layout of MacPherson struts up front and a twist beam axle at the rear. Nissan is using 14-inch wheels and reasonably high-profile, narrow 165/70-R14 tyres in the interests of ride comfort and low rolling resistance.

European versions will have reversing sensors, Nissan’s keyless entry and go, satellite navigation, auto wipers, ABS, ESP and airbags. It remains to be seen what equipment Indian cars will offer.