Nissan Micra bookings underway; Specifications and details released

Wheelosphere checked out the new Nissan Micra at Sherif Nissan in Chennai and we must say that the visit was worth our time. The Showroom is nicely done with Nissan’s logo appearing bright and majestic both outside and inside the showroom. When you visit Sherif Nissan, we request you to notice this specifically.

Coming to the car, there was a bright blue model standing at the centre of the showroom and you do feel happy when you see the Micra sharing space with Teanas and X-Trails. All of the Micras currently on display across Nissan showrooms in India are pre-production models, so there definitely are lot of rough edges like inconsistent panel gaps. All that should be fixed on the production models. The car as a whole has a cheeky look to it and will definitely stand out from all the designs out there right now. It is definitely a love or hate look, something that Chris Bangle was famous for at his tenure in BMW. Walking around the car, things you notice are : the subtle rise in the roof at the rear end to generate headroom (it actually works!), the twin cuts on the roof to reduce weight and cut booming noise, i-key buttons, and the large headlamps.

Download the Nissan Micra India E-brochure. The pricing is expected to be Rs 4-5 lakhs, Ex-Chennai for the four models. Click here for pictures from Oragadam plant and Exclusive Geneva Pictures here. More details and images after the break.

Open the doors and you are greeted by bright beige interiors (on the top-end XV variant) and good amount of space. The driver’s seat is pretty comfortable with good cushioning and is easily one of the best in the segment while at the rear, it is completely the opposite. The rear seats lack proper under-thigh support (probably a reason why there is huge legroom for the rear passengers) while headroom for 6-footers is decent. The instrument console is good with all tell tales and on-board trip computer giving all vital read outs like Distance to empty and average fuel consumption. The control stalks for wiper and indicators are very solid as are the plastics and the way in which the doors shut just tell you how much engineering has gone in. The space overall is one of the best in the segment and is more than the Swift. The boot is also well shaped at 226 litres.

We cannot comment on performance, transmission and dynamics until we drive one so stay tuned while we get our hands on one. To taste success in India, Nissan need to improve their dealership network and we suggest Renault-Nissan tie-up to open combined dealerships to save costs and time.

Nissan Micra 1.2 Petrol

Official Launch Date/Start of Sales : 14th July

Variants:

XE
XL
XV

Expected prices ex showroom Chennai (As told by Sherif Nissan) :
XE: Rs. 4,00,000 XE PLUS: Rs. 4,25,000
XL: Rs. 4,50,000
XV: Rs. 5,00,000

Specifications:

Engine:
Code: HR12
Type: DOHC, 12V, 4 valves per cylinder
Cylinders: 3 in-line
Fuel: Petrol
Displacement: 1198 cc
Bore X Stroke: 78 X 83.6
Max Power: 56 KW/ 76 PS@ 6000 rpm
Max torque: 104 NM (10.6 KGM)@ 4000 rpm
Compression ratio: 9.8:1
Transmission:  5 speed manual

Steering: Electric power assisted rack and pinion
Turning radius: 4.65 m

Suspension
Front: Mcpherson strut
Rear: Torsion beam and Gas filled dampers all round

Brakes
Front: Ventilated Disc
Rear: Drum

Wheels and tyres:
Wheels: 14 X 5.5J steel
Tyres: 165/70 R14

Dimensions/Weights:
length: 3780 mm
width: 1665 mm
height: 1530 mm
wheelbase: 2450 mm
tread front: 1470 mm
tread rear: 1475 mm

Capacities:
seating capacity: 5 persons
fuel tank capacity: 41 litres
trunk capacity: 226 litres
ARAI certified fuel economy: 18.06 kmpl

Key equipment levels:

Exterior:
Roof antenna (XE, XL, XV)
Full wheel covers (XL, XV)
Rear wiper and washer (XL, XV)
Electric park and fold mirror (power retract) (XV)
Door mirror electric adjustment (XV)

Interior:
Drive computer (XE, XL, XV)
Tachometer (XL, XV)
Parcel shelf (XL, XV)
Integrated audio system with 4 speakers and aux-in (XL, XV)
Manual AC (XE, XL)
Automatic climate control (XV)
Interior colour scheme-black (XE, XL)
Interior colour scheme-grey and beige (XV)
Comfort and Convenience:
Electric power steering (XE, XL, XV)
Tilt steering adjustment (XE, XL, XV)
Power windows front and rear with anti pinch function on driver’s side (XE, XV)
Central door lock (XE, XV)
Remote key less entry (XE)
Intelligent key with push button ignition* (XV)

Safety:
Engine immobilizer (XE, XL, XV)
Driver Airbag (XE, XL, XV)
Front passenger airbag (XV)
ABS, EBD, BA (XV)
Front fog lamps (XV)
Security alarm (XV)

*with an intelligent key fob in your pocket, you ca start the engine at the push of a button and lock and unlock the doors just by touching the request switch on the door handle. And for an added measure of security, the engine immobilizer prevents anyone without the key from starting the car.(KEYLESS GO)

An additional variant, XE plus is also available with some factory fitted accessories.

XE plus=XE + options:
OE audio system with 4 speakers and aux in
Seat cover-fabric (black and silver colour combination)
Steering wheel cover (pure leather-black and silver colour combination)
Full wheel cover

Exterior shades:
Sunlight orange
Blade silver
Storm white
Pacific blue
Oynx black
Brick red