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.

The facelift could be an attempt to make the Micra look more premium than it is now and that means jazzing up the car’s exterior and interior with plenty of chrome and adding new colors. A sporty version of the Micra was showcased through the Nissan Compact Sports Concept which was brought to this year’s Delhi Auto Expo. Nissan is also expected to introduce a Nismo edition (Nissan’s tuning arm) of the Micra by the time the facelift comes out.

The company is unlikely to make any changes to the powertrains. Components such as a turbocharged petrol engine and automatic transmission, available in overseas markets, are not expected to be launched in India.

“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.

So Nissan has commemorated the designer’s work with a special edition Micra called theLolita Lempicka Pearl edition. The ‘Pearl’ as it is only available in pearl white exterior color. Other features on the Nissan Micra Lolita Lempicka Pearl edition include -

• Seats covered with padded leather
• Door sills and the floor mats with special lettering
• Multimedia system and Nissan Navigation CONNECT
• USB connection for iPod and MP3 players
• Hands free phone system Bluetooth
• Keyless start
• Ivy leaf (symbol of the brand Lolita Lempicka) on the dashboard

Under the hood is a 1.2L petrol with 80 hp and a 1.2 DIG-S (diesel) with 98 hp. Prices start at 15,750 Euros.

[Source: caradisiac.com]

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.

Nissan recently began exporting the Sunny from its Oragadam plant. Nissan also manufactures the Sunny in Thailand, arming it with the Micra’s 1.2-liter petrol engine.

[Source - PaulTan.org]

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.

When tested by a different body called National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Nissan Sunny scored three stars for frontal impacts, four stars for side impacts, and four stars for rollover accidents. EuroNCAP hasn’t tested the Sunny yet.

[Source: Automobilemag.com]

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.

There are no performance boosting elements on the Micra SR, but who needs them on a city car used to drop the kids off at school and drive the spouse to the shopping mall? Nissan has priced the SR kit at 1,500 Euros. We’d like to see such a special edition here in India, surely at a much lower price. Nissan India may want to keep things less sporty and aggressive as pumping up adrenaline may lead them into the Pulse’ path.

Nissan can you hear us?

[Source - AutoJunk.nl]

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 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.

[Source - CarAdvice.com.au]

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.

Nissan Micra Kuro, Shiro Special Editions Image Gallery

Ex-showroom prices for Delhi for the Sunny diesel

• Rs 7,98,000 (XL) (1.1 lakh over the XL petrol variant)
• Rs 8,78,000 (XV) (1.1 lakh over the XV petrol variant)

It is powered by a 1.5-liter 4cylinder K9K diesel engine, borrowed from the Micra but produces a much better 86PS @ 3,750 RPM and 200 Nm @ 2000 rpm (IAB was bang on with the specification in our scoop post!). The mileage stands at an impressive 21.64 kmpl (ARAI certified). It is impressively spec-ed too with the both diesel variants equipped with ABS brakes, EBD, Brake Assist besides the driver side Airbag.

Nissan has sold about 3,000 examples of the three petrol variants and it looks like their strong performance in India will continue with the launch of the diesel Sunny.

Press Release – NISSAN LAUNCHES SUNNY DIESEL IN INDIA

- The new variants offer one of the best in class fuel efficiency and power –

Mumbai/Chennai, December 12, 2011: Nissan Motor India Private Ltd. (NMIPL) today opened the booking for the diesel variant of its hugely successful mid-sized sedan, the Nissan Sunny, in India. Available in two variants, the XL and the XV, the Sunny Diesel offers one of the best in class fuel efficiency and targets the fast growing demand for diesel cars in the Indian market.

Built on the global ‘V’ platform, the Sunny Diesel is competitively priced and will be available for Rs 7,98,000 (XL) and Rs 8,78,000 (XV), ex-showroom, New Delhi. Customers can now book the car at any of the 47 Nissan dealerships across the country.

The Sunny Diesel, a result of significant inputs from the Indian market and powered by the most notable K9K diesel engine to emerge from the Renault-Nissan alliance, has a fuel efficiency of 21.64 kmpl (ARAI certified) and is ideal both for a city drive as well as for exploring the countryside.

Built at the Nissan plant in Chennai, the diesel variant is powered by a modern 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder K9K engine that churns out 86PS of power @ 3750 rpm and a maximum torque of 200 Nm @ 2000 rpm, and five speed manual transmission. It is the first time Sunny is offered anywhere in the world with a K9K Diesel engine.

Mr. Kiminobu Tokuyama, Managing Director & CEO, Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd, said, “We are delighted to introduce the diesel variant of Sunny for the Indian market. At a time when Indian market is witnessing an increase in demand for diesel cars, Sunny Diesel with Nissan technology of high performance and fuel economy will be the right choice for our valued customers in their search for the most suitable sedan.”

Mr. G M Singh, Vice Chairman & MD, Hover Automotive India, Nissan’s Marketing & Sales partner said, “Introduction of Sunny is another major milestone in Nissan’s efforts to grow fast in the Indian market which is growing at much faster pace compared to many other parts of the world now. The fact that we are able to clock over 3000 sales for the Petrol Sunny so far reinforces our belief that Indian customers prefer Nissan’s products which are filled with innovation and excitement.”

Aimed at India’s fast-growing group of young professionals, the Sunny Diesel mirrors the petrol variant’s sophisticated style and roomy interiors. It is the second model after the Micra hatchback to use Nissan’s pre-eminent ‘V’ platform that carries advanced engineering to deliver a modern, light weight structure, that provides integral strength, robust ride refinement and dynamic on-road behavior.

The Sunny Diesel carries high levels of active and passive safety features and technology designed to enhance both the driving and ownership experience. The new variant is available in six colors – Bronze Grey, Blade Silver, Storm White, Sapphire Blue, Onyx Black and Brick Red – and is equipped with advanced safety features such as Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Engine Immobilizer and Airbags.

Departing from the industry norm, Nissan has adopted a uniform pan-India pricing strategy, whereby the ex-showroom price of the Sunny Diesel will remain the same across all states. The only variations will be in terms of VAT, Entry Tax, Octroi and other local taxes levied by states/cities.

High on Style Quotient

The Sunny Diesel mirrors the petrol variant in style with sleek and dynamic proportions. Nissan’s signature grille dominates the front and is flanked by jewel-shaped headlights with discreet but elegant chrome touches. Wide opening doors offer better passenger ingress and egress while muscular haunches, stylish curves and a neat rear spoiler adds a sporty touch to the silhouette.

The diesel variant is 4425mm long with a 2600mm wheelbase that directly translates into roomy interiors. It offers rear-knee room that is on par with luxury sedans and gives passengers the opportunity to cross their legs in comfort. The large central armrest with cup holders adds a touch of luxury while the roomy 490 Liter trunk illuminated with a boot lamp provides loads of luggage space.

Independent front MacPherson struts with coil springs makes the ride smooth while the compact torsion beam rear axle further minimizes intrusion into the luggage area. Sub-frame mounted suspensions and anti-roll bars at both ends help reduce road noise and vibration. The long-travel suspension kits make the Sunny Diesel’s response much better to the most challenging of road surfaces.

Nissan Motor India Private Ltd, which launched the petrol variant of the Sunny last September, received wide appreciation from auto experts who viewed it as a best in class entry-level petrol sedan in India.

The Sunny has driven up volumes for Nissan, it registered a growth of 149% in last month compared to November last year. The Sunny’s rear leg room, features, boot space, thoughtful marketing campaign and attractive starting price have intrigued customers. The diesel model with fuel economy close to 20kpl can build on this encouraging start.