New Micra is attractively designed

Nissan launches premium Micra

Micra is now available with premium features, including automatic transmission. There is also an economy model: Micra Active.

Though the name continues  to be the same it is like launch of a new car. Nissan Motor India has just launched a new Micra, so much different from the outgoing Micra that it could easily be called by some other name. Instead of one, Nissan now will have two categories of Micra – one for the entry level, value for money car buyers and the other a premium hatchback loaded with lots of new technology. Let’s first take a look at the premium Micra which Nissan simply calls New Micra.

This car is based on Micra’s fourth generation city car (Micra globally is a 30 year old brand) with major redesigned exteriors, refreshed premium interiors and a list of advanced user friendly features. This new model was recently launched in the UK and in Thailand.

New look

The first thing that strikes you is the complete departure in the exterior design from the old Micra’s bulging eyes look. New Micra makes an aggressive statement with the redesigned front and rear. The overall length of the car has increased by 45mm to 3825mm. The car now gets a sculpted bonnet and front bumper with V-shaped chrome grille. Front fog lamps with a thick chrome finish add to the premium appeal. The rear too gets a redesigned bumper with a bright LED tail lamps as well as high mounted LED stop lamp. The high-end variants also have diamond shape 8-spoke alloy wheels. On the whole, New MIcra looks classy and yet sporty.

 The upgrades continue to the interiors, which gets an all-new centre console with piano black finish and silver accents for a premium feel. The cabin is more spacious cabin with better legroom and headroom to comfortably accommodate five adults. The driver’s seat is a six-way manually adjustable and all seats have premium upholstery. The other features include 2-din music system with USB and AUX capability, steering mounted controls, rear view camera and Bluetooth connectivity.

Engine options with new technology

Under the hood, new Micra comes with two engine variants 1.2 litre petrol and 1.5 litre diesel. The petrol engine has a maximum power of 76 PS @ 6000 rpm and a max torque of 104Nm @ 4000 rpm. Micra now also boasts of a automatic transmission, not a very common offering in compact hatchback. The car comes with a segment leading Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) gearbox for better fuel efficiency and smooth city driving experience, the company claimed.

The key benefits CVT is smooth acceleration and no shift shock unlike conventional automatic transmissions. It also comes with a button (sports mode) that can be pressed for more power and quick acceleration, a very useful option in overtaking speeding vehicles on the highway. The company claims that thanks to CVT technology this automatic variant has a high fuel efficiency of 19.34 kmpl as per ARAI rated, higher than manual and conventional automatic gearbox equipped cars.

The company claimed that under the ideal test conditions the fuel efficiency of the 1.2-litre petrol engine has improved to 18.44kmpl (ARAI certified) due to performance tuning. The fuel efficiency of 1.5 litre diesel variant is 23.08 kmpl (ARAI certified). The diesel engine, it is the same used in phased out Micra, is slightly underpowered at 64 PS of max power @ 4000 rpm but having a good torque of 160 Nm at 2000 rpm. The company has kept the option open for a 90 PS diesel engine in future.

The starting prices (ex-showroom Delhi) of new Micra are as follows: Petrol Rs 4.88 lakh, Petrol with CVT: Rs 6.50 lakh and Diesel: Rs 6.10 lakh.

Micra Active

While the premium Micra will certainly appeal to feature-loving, tech-savvy buyers, for the ‘value for money’ segment Nissan has ‘Micra Active’ in petrol whose price starts at Rs 3.56 lakh (ex-showroom). The company claims it is a hatchback for customers seeking an economical car without compromising on quality, fuel efficiency, styling and spacious interiors. Micra Active too has slightly sporty exterior design and roomy interiors. Micra Active is powered by the 1.2-litre petrol engine developing 68PS power at 5000rpm and 104Nm torque at 4000rpm. The company has reduced the overall weight by 30 kg compared to earlier Micra and the weight reduction contributed for better fuel efficiency of 19.49 kmpl, it was claimed. 

The writer is a freelance auto writer writing test drive reports on cars and SUVs for the last 11 years. He can be reached on dilipmaitra@gmail.com