Sources have told IndianAutosBlog.com that Nissan is likely to introduce the Micra facelift late next year. We’re told that Nissan will not drastically change the car’s looks as the curvy shape has created a fan following. Making it a bit aggressive could lead to the creation of the Renault Pulse!
This operation is expected to be a mild mid-life facelift. Nissan may not lend the car a whole new look as it may mess up its personality. Manufacturers hold on to products for about 6-7 years before going to the next generation and the Micra turns three next year.
Nissan has introduced a special edition Micra in France named after the famous fashion designer Josiane Maryse Pividal. Nissan claims that the inspiration of this special edition lies in an interesting quote from the designer –
“I dreamed of a carriage for the city, a real little boudoir where women feel totally comfortable to walk in an urban environment, without constraint, seamlessly, without giving up style and femininity.
Nissan’s Sunny (Almera in Thailand and Versa in America) has been spied in Malaysia confirming that this global sedan is gearing up to take on rivals such as Proton in the Malaysian market. The Toyota Etios could also be sold in Malaysia in the coming years and Volkswagen is very keen to pitch the Vento through its partnership through Proton.
The Malaysian Nissan Sunny (Paul Tan casts doubts over this name’s usage) is anticipated with the India-first 1.5-liter petrol engine producing 112 PS and 139 Nm. Nissan first showed this model at Guangzhou, China back in December 2010. Since then the model has been introduced in both developed and developing markets.
The Nissan philosophy of making global cars has definitely benefited consumers uniformly across the globe. Essentially, Nissan makes cars that conform to the stringent standards in terms of safety, performance and efficiency and then customizes it for each individual market. Nissan Sunny (also called as Versa in US and Almera in Thailand) is one such example.
According to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Nissan Versa has scored commendable points for safety in their testing process. The organization has included the Versa in the list of Top Safety Picks. The car scored top marks of ‘Good’ in front, side, rollover, and rear crash tests. Here is a video of the testing process.
In the Dutch market, you can now buy the Nissan Micra SR which features SR striping, SR logos around the car and butch-looking 15-inch black alloy wheels. Interiors don’t feature new parts but they are spruced up by the black and gray upholstery with red stitching, and black leather steering wheel with red stitching.
The black-red duo spreads to other parts of the cabin such as the gear knob wrap and floor mats. The pedals have an alluminium effect, mimicking the controls of a race car.
What happens when the Nissan Micra gets angry and aggressive?
It becomes a Renault Pulse!
The Japanese company has proven that’s not always the case today with the help of its performance division Nismo (like what AMG is to Mercedes). The Nissan Micra Nismo edition is a conceptual study for the Tokyo Auto Salon this year. The everyday Micra sports a full body kit, a redesigned bumper, a modified grille and new outside mirrors.
Interiors are not all-new with changes reserved to new sport seats and steering wheel. Performance additions include a lowered sport suspension, bigger wheels and a loud exhaust.
The highlight of this custom is Nismo’s signature colors pearl white highlighted by red accents that add visual flair to what otherwise would just be another car in the parking lot.
The Thai-made Micra-based Nissan Almera (Sunny) sedan will grace Australian dealerships towards the end of 2012, CarAdvice.com.au has reported. The website briefs readers that the lightweight sedan, developed in Thailand under the eco-car program, is a sensible alternative to cars such as the Honda City, Toyota Yaris sedan and Ford Fiesta sedan.
The Almera opens the door for Nissan to this important segment. To make customers feel safe, six airbags and ESP are part of the standard equipment. Nissan is taking safety seriously even in India where a passenger side airbag is a standard feature on its cheapest offering, the Micra. Surprisingly ABS brakes don’t find a place even on the top-end variant!
A 1.5-liter petrol engine is discussed in the article married to a CVT as a choice of powertrain, but the exact details will gain clarity only at the time of launch.
Nissan has introduced a pair of special models of Micra in the UK market. Called Kuro and Shiro, which translate to black and white respectively, the company is trying to lend UK’s favorite hatchback a unique touch. The Kuro is finished in a new black shade while the Shiro is launched in two shades of white – Alabaster or Pearl. Both models get special edition badges on the tailgate to denoting their uniqueness.
Changes are evident the moment you see interior shots. An ivory-effect dashboard and lighter seat trim is suitable for the Indian market as well. The equipment list is bolstered with additions as heated front seats, climate control, parking space measurement and reverse parking sensor. As an optional extra, Nissan offers Nissan Connect, the company’s integrated sat-nav system for 400 quid.
The Kuro and Shiro special editions are available on the 1.2-liter naturally aspirated engine, DIG-S supercharged engine paired with manual or the CVT automatic transmissions.
