We've just driven the 2013 Nissan Micra and our review should be out very soon. Meanwhile, we will explain the new Micra range with all the features, engine options, new colors which have been added and the new trim lines.
1. Technical Specifications
The 2013 Nissan Micra comes with the same two engine options. A 1.2-liter three cylinder petrol engine producing 76PS of power at 6,000rpm and 104Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. This engine configuration is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission only. However, Nissan have added a new gearbox to the Micra range, a CVT automatic gearbox. This CVT is the Nissan X-TRONIC CVT also found on the Renault Scala and the Nissan Sunny. It is available only with a 1.2-liter petrol engine, producing 77PS of power at 6,000rpm and the same torque figure as the manual. That's right, the automatic produces 1PS more power than the manual.
The 1.5-liter K9K diesel engine continues to be seen on the diesel variants of the Micra outputting 64PS of power and 160Nm of torque.
I've been told by the Nissan engineers that both engines have been retuned for improved fuel economy. The ARAI claims stand at 18.44km/l for the manual petrol (earlier it was 18.06km/l) while the diesel continues to be 23.08km/l. That being said, the new Micra's deliver their promise of improved economy, as you shall see in the review.
The figures for the automatic haven't been released yet, but expect it to be at least 1km/l more economical than the manual petrol.
Head to Page 2 to view the new colors of the Micra and the new variant lineup.
2. The new colors
Two new exterior colors have been inducted in the new Micra range. Nissan calls Turquoise Blue as 'Pacific Blue' and a beige-ish color as 'Metallic Platinum Sage'.
3. Variants lineup
Earlier, the Micra was available in the following variants:
Petrol: XE, XE Plus, XL, XV
Diesel: XV, XV Premium
This lineup shall now be:
Petrol MT: XL, XL (O)
Petrol AT: XV CVT
Diesel: XL, XL (O), XV, XV Premium
It's quite obvious that Nissan wants to focus on the diesel range of the Micra given the sheer number of variants. With the price difference between petrol and diesel narrowing, we would have liked to see the top-end variants in petrol trim also.
It is also evident that the base XE has been deleted from the lineup. As a result, expect a higher starting price for the new Micra. Though I really hope Nissan proves me wrong here.
Head to Page 3 to view the new features of the 2013 Nissan Micra.
4. Features
Earlier, the petrol XV came with ABS+EBD and dual airbags, not to mention the i-Key and the push button start. Foglights and alloy wheels were not offered in the petrol.
The diesel XV Premium did NOT have ABS or EBD. It also had only a driver side airbag. However, foglights and alloy wheels were offered.
The features takes a positive shift in the new Micra range.
Alloy wheels are offered on all the XV variants (CVT, diesel and XV premium diesel), while foglights are constrained to the top-end XV Premium in diesel only. The Premium also gets a new rear spoiler.
Moving to the interiors, the new Piano Black finished central console is available only on the XV variants. We think the other XL variants continue to get the beige and silver finish as the old car.
In terms of safety, a driver airbag is offered on all the variants as standard, just like the existing car. A passenger airbag is included in the XV variants, while the XV Premium also adds an additional two side airbags. As a result, you now have 4 airbags on the top-end diesel.
ABS with EBD and Brake Assist is seen on all the variants starting from the XL (O). The good news is that the diesel also gets the ABS finally.
All variants get front and rear power windows. The XL's get remote locking while variants higher up feature the i-Key with push button start.
Electrically adjustable ORVMs with auto-fold and an automatic aircon are available on the XV trim lines only. Also included in these variants are steering mounted controls for the music system and your cell phone (to take and receive calls).
The top-end XV Premium sees the addition of auto day/night inside rear view mirror along with parking sensors and a rear view camera.
While our readers are updating themselves on the technical bits of the new Micra, I'll start working on the review of the CVT and diesel Micra. Should be out very soon. Stay tuned!
