5th-Gen Nissan Micra Unveiled At Paris Motor Show

Nissan has unveiled the next-generation Micra at the ongoing Paris Motor Show. The manufacturer had already teased the car a few times before the unveiling and it was about time it got unveiled. In its fifth generation, the Micra sheds the quirky and the retro cues that it carried in exchange for a more futuristic and aggressive layout. However, that is not the only update, and following are the changes that the car has received.

Aesthetics

The all-new Micra incorporates Nissan’s latest design scheme, which hasn’t made it to India as of yet. However, if you have seen cars like the 2016 Nissan Maxima or the Nissan Kicks in pictures you can clearly relate the semblance in exterior design. The front end now features the V-motion grille, an aggressive bonnet stance from which two character lines emerge and continue through the sides, all the way to the rear boomerang shaped tail lamps. One can also notice the distinctive alloy-wheel design, a floating roofline with a kink in the c-pillar. 

On the inside, the car features a dual tone dash, which is the same unit that we have seen in the Nissan Kicks, that was revealed by the manufacturer before the 2016 Rio Olympics. The dash features soft-touch materials, two sleek AC louvres above the 7.0-inch infotainment system and two large circular ones on either side. 

Features

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It carries a plethora of features, with many included for the first time in a Nissan hatchback. It gets active features such as the Lane Departure Prevention, which according to Nissan is a first-in-class feature. It also gets Intelligent Emergency Braking with pedestrian recognition, all-around view monitor, traffic sign recognition, high beam assist and blind spot warning.

The car also ups the ante in terms of the music system it uses. The unit is developed in collaboration with Bose and uses six speakers to accentuate the aural appeal for the driver as well as the passengers. To optimise the sound experience, the driver’s headrest comes integrated with Bose’s UltraNearfield speakers to provide an even better listening experience. Whereas, the infotainment system supports navigation, Bluetooth integration, downloadable apps and Siri voice control via Apple CarPlay.

Dimensions

The fifth-gen Micra is 3999mm long, 1743mm wide, 1455mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2525mm. It is because of this that the car qualifies to land into India as the over 4-metre tax won’t apply to it, helping Nissan India to price it competitively in our market.

Drivetrains & Underpinnings

Based on the Renault-Nissan alliance's latest CMF-B platform, the all-new Micra will meet higher standards of weight saving and structural strength. It also uses the Active Ride Control and Active Trace Control for enhanced ride quality and better handling.

Powering the car will be an all-new 0.9-litre, turbocharged, inline three-cylinder petrol engine and an updated version of the current 1.5-litre inline four-cylinder motor. Both the engines develop a similar power figure of 90PS. The company has planned another 1.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol motor, which will produce 73PS of power. 

The car will be produced in Nissan's European factories and will be launched in March 2017. Speaking of India, there’s no official word form Nissan India, but the car might make its way to the country in the next two years if the manufacturer finds a way to localise it on our soil.