Nissan Micra DIG-S makes for a hot-supercharged-hatch

As much as we love reporting of exotic supercars from international motor shows, smart and advanced versions of cars available in India grab our eye in a big way. While the run up to the 2011 Geneva Motor Show is throwing up some interesting and exciting new cars, here’s a gem that we spotted in the literal rubble of new launches, and while most of them may carry only lustful value for the petro-heads amongst us, this one actually makes more sense for India in a more holistic manner.

The Nissan Micra which hit Indian streets just last year has already become the company’s best-seller in India, catching the fancy of urban areas. The latest version of the car which is set to be unveiled in a few weeks at the Geneva Motor Show though attempts to add more stonk to the hot hatch and make it cleaner and more fuel-efficient at the same time.

Labelled the Micra DIG-S (Direct-Injection Gasoline, Supercharged), the new engine that will power the variant is set to bestow a whole lot of power on the 1.2-litre three-pot, and still retain clean tailpipe emissions. And the changes don’t lie with the basic architecture of the light and revvy mill – instead they have been brought about in the fuel intake side of things. The formula has been tried before by the Germans, and Euro-savvy Nissan has taken a cue from them to go employ direct petrol injection along with a supercharger to create the new engine that makes 98PS of power – at par with standard 1.5-litre engines.

What is of even higher interest though is that the combined fuel efficiency by European standards for the new engine hover around 30 kilometers to the litre. Carbon dioxide emissions for the engine with this approach have been reduced to under 100 g/km – well in the territory of the modern and more expensive diesel engines, and assorted hybrid powertrains. Nissan hopes for the Micra to get greater tax benefits and exemptions in the clean-air loving Euro nations.

Wondering when the engine will come as an option to India? Well, so are we! All we know for now is that international sales begin around June. Here’s waiting for the hot new number!