FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
22 October 2002
MICRA WAVES IN
Nissan reckons its new UK-built and UK-engineered Micra will be the cleverest small car yet created when it goes on sale on 23 January. And also one of the most distinctively styled.
The new Micra will make waves. It’s got an all new chassis and the five available engines – including for the first time state-of-the-art dCi diesel units - are either new or extensively revised. But it’s the thought that has gone into the car’s design that should really give buyers cause for conversation. Once they get past the Micra’s bold new look, that is.
Its funky body is packed full of clever features that have never been seen before in a small car and which customers won’t have to fork out a fortune to enjoy. Just how featured up the new Micra will be is revealed by Nissan today, 22 October.
Every version, for example, is equipped with Friendly Lights which is Nissan-speak for headlights that illuminate the way to the front door at night when you arrive at your journey’s end. All Micras also have a standard fit battery save feature that removes the risk of leaving, say, an interior light on. And talking of lights, the ovoid front pair on all Micras incorporate a ‘bubble’ that illuminates with the headlights and that is visible from the driver’s seat to aid parking. Another thoughtful example is the sliding rear seat standard on almost every version that shifts forwards or backwards by 20 cm enabling the owner to decide between rear legroom or luggage space – it also means a baby in a child-seat can be brought closer to the adults up front. And flip back the base of the front passenger seat on most Micras and a 10 litre storage box is revealed.
Things get really clever from the middle of the range upwards because that’s where the Intelligent Key, rain sensing wipers and drive computer (amongst other things) are added. An Intelligent Key? Actually, it’s not a key in the traditional sense because to lock or unlock the car and even to start the engine, the driver doesn’t have to press on a remote control fob or insert anything anywhere - the Intelligent Key can stay in the driver’s bag or pocket for ever.
Providing the Intelligent Key is within 80 cm of the Micra, the door opens by a push of a small button on the door handle. Even inside the car, the Intelligent Key can remain tucked away with the engine started by turning a switch. It also makes entry into the car speedier, and therefore safer, because there’s no time wasted digging through a bag to find the key. Unlocking can be programmed to only open the driver’s door on first handle press, too – the anti-hijack feature. This keyless entry system will be familiar to owners of super luxury saloons. But not to small car drivers. Okay, some might have met another of the Micra’s features before – rain sensing windscreen wipers - but the Micra’s rear one will also give an automatic wipe when reverse gear is selected. And the trip computer does more than just give average fuel consumption, distance remaining till fuel runs out and the like … it can also be set to wish you Happy Birthday. Bless.
In line with Nissan’s make-life-simpler-for-the-customer mantra, the Micra’s range structure goes E, S, SE, SX and SVE with no word-names or plus signs to confuse things. Price jumps between grades, door numbers and engines will also been rounded off for ease of leaping. Exact amounts will be revealed next month.
But enough of an overview. Let’s get down to basics. Or rather not-so-basic as you are about to find out.
MICRA E
The Micra E comes as a three- or five-door both powered by a 1.0-litre 65 PS unit essentially carried over from the previous Micra but uprated to give another 5 PS. Standard equipment is certainly more than you’d expect of a lead-in model:
· Electric power steering
· Tilt steering wheel adjust
· Front electric windows
· Front map reading lights
· Friendly lighting system
· Battery save feature
· Remote central locking with anti-hijack feature
· Anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution
· Driver and passenger airbags
· 3-point centre rear seatbelt
· ISOFIX childseat mounting points
· Electric rear tailgate release
· Pollen filter
· Single CD/radio with 4 speakers
The new Micra E is likely to be priced a little higher than the outgoing limited edition E. But the new one gains items such as anti-lock brakes, electric power steering, a passenger airbag, electric windows, 3 point centre rear seatbelt, remote central locking and a CD player – which will be worth much more than the increase in even the stingiest valuation. And that’s before you add in all the advances that come with the new Micra.
MICRA S
The biggest advantage that the S brings over the E is the new 1.2-litre 80 PS engine. (There is no 1.0-litre option with the S grade.) Or buyers can go for the 1.5-litre dCi 65 PS diesel unit with common rail technology – delivery will be mid 2003. As with the E, five-doors will be an option from launch and the S is also available with four-speed automatic transmission and the petrol engine. But the S isn’t just about more engine, it also brings these items over those already fitted to the E:
· Front seat mounted side airbags
· Three adjustable rear head rests
· Rear sliding seat with 60:40 split
· Luggage area light
· Driver’s seat height adjustment
MICRA SE
The SE is where the new Micra gets really clever.
· Intelligent Key
· Drive computer
· Leather bound four-spoke steering wheel with remote audio and computer controls
· Body coloured electric door mirrors
· Air conditioning
· Automatic rain sensing wipers and automatic rear wiper
· Driver’s lumbar support
· 13 litre multi functional glove box with extra storage compartments
· Under passenger seat, secret 10 litre storage area
· 15” steel wheels
· 6 speakers in lieu of 4
· more luxurious upholstery with part leather trim
The SE is also available with the uprated 1.4-litre 88 PS engine, which is similarly offered with optional automatic transmission.
MICRA SX
The SX has some subtle visual exterior and interior tweaks to give it a meaner look than the SE. It also has electronic climate control which is a rare feature in this class, let alone a standard one. There’s a choice of 1.2- or 1.4-litre petrol engines, three- or five-doors. Later there’ll also be a 82 PS dCi unit. Oh, and there’s no automatic transmission option because Nissan reckons the SX will appeal to a younger, possibly even male audience.
· Dark tinted headlamps
· Front fog lamps
· Electronic climate control with ‘ivory’ controls
· 15” alloy wheels
· Rear roof spoiler
· ‘Metropolis’ trim with part leather
MICRA SVE
This is the poshest Micra. It’s offered for now only with the 1.4-litre engine but later also with the higher powered diesel. Over the SE, the SVE gains:
· Electronic climate control with ‘ivory’ switchgear
· 15” alloy wheels
· Ultrasonic rear park sensors
So for now, top of the Micra range will be the 1.4 SVE five-door automatic. Nissan will confirm prices in November and also technical specifications. That’s not so coincidentally when the press also get to drive the car for the first time.
All versions, except those with the higher powered 82PS dCi unit, will be orderable from early November. Yes, some time before the on sale date. This is the first time in Nissan UK’s history that it has facilitated a pre-ordering process for a new model. But the company feels the Micra is so special, people are going to want to get one as close as possible to the 23 January on sale date. And they can make their first acquaintance at the British International Motor Show. Nissan is expecting quite a crowd.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Wayne Bruce Head of PR 01923 899930
e-mail: wayne.bruce@nissan.co.uk
Linda Robinson Senior Press Officer, Product Affairs 01923 899932
e-mail: linda.robinson@nissan.co.uk
Gloria Maydew Senior Press Officer, Product Affairs 01923 899937
e-mail: gloria.maydew@nissan.co.uk