THE 1998 NISSAN MICRA

2000/03/31

The Nissan Micra is built in Sunderland and was developed at the Nissan Technology Centre – Europe (NETC), in Cranfield.

Restyled in 1998, the Micra looks larger and more assertive, with a new bonnet, grille and rear lights among the main exterior changes.  The interior has also been redesigned and offers enhanced ergonomics, greater comfort and higher levels of equipment.  Steering feel and stability has been improved and noise, vibration and harshness have been significantly reduced.  It also features a number of enhanced safety features including standard driver’s airbag, optional passenger airbag and anti-lock brakes (on most models), improved headlamp performance and improved braking performance. 

Highlights of the Nissan Micra:

·         Extensive exterior restyling reflects Micra’s more assertive, dynamic character

·         Improved ride comfort and steering feel

·         Enhanced safety features include body shell reinforcements, standard driver’s airbag, optional passenger airbag and ABS, improved headlamp performance and panoramic driver’s door mirror.

·         All new interior with new seat design and unique new fabric trims 

·         Redesigned dashboard with integrated instrument panel offers improved ergonomics

·         New grade structure – four core grades – Profile, GX,  Si and SE

·         Seven new option packs which will enable the customer to create over 700 different Micras

·         Extended security features including Nissan’s anti-theft system (NATS IV) immobiliser

Grade structure and option packs

The Micra is now available in four standard grades – Profile, GX, Si and SE.  All models feature standard driver’s airbag, body-coloured bumpers, tinted glass and rear wash-wipe.  The GX and Si models gain front electric windows, rear spoiler, remote keyless entry with immobiliser, central locking and superlocking.  The GX also features power assisted steering and tilt/slide sunroof, whilst the Si gains power assisted steering, passenger airbag, rear head restraints, alloy wheels, body coloured mirrors, side mouldings and sports bumpers and a single CD player.

Customers will be able to upgrade to a 1.3 engine on all models for £450, the class-leading N-CVT automatic transmission for £1000 and five door versions for £500 extra (not available on Si).

All models can add the audio pack for £328, which features a 10-disc CD autochanger and the security pack for £217, which features an alarm system.  The GX and Si grades can also choose from the activesafety pack, which adds anti-lock brakes (ABS) and the air-conditioning pack. These are competitively priced at £400 and £500 respectively.

The Si and SE grades can also add the passive safety pack upgrade, which adds a passenger airbag for £200. The GX can be upgraded with a more enhanced passive safety pack, which adds passenger and side airbags for £400 or the combined active and passive safety pack, which adds ABS passenger and side airbags for £700.

Standard equipment generously equipped Micra SE includes anti-lock brakes (ABS), driver’s and passenger airbags, front fog lamps, 14-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, leather steering wheel and single CD player.

The Micra SE is available with Nissan’s 16-valve 1.3-litre engine and a choice of manual or N-CVT transmissions.

Exterior styling

From the front and rear, the new Micra looks wider and lower and from the side it looks longer and more dynamic.  The distinctive chrome ‘flying wing’ grille has been redesigned and integrated into the longer bonnet to give a more stylish appeal.   The front and rear bumpers have been redesigned and include corner mouldings, which visually increase the width of the car.

In profile, the longer roofline is balanced by new asymmetric side body mouldings, roof mounted aerial and the round indicator repeater lamps have been replaced by longer oval ones which enhance the length of the car.  Finally, all 1.3 litre cars feature larger 14-inch wheels, which adds to the ‘big car’ look of the Micra.

Interior design

The interior of the Nissan Micra has been completely redesigned and features new trims fabrics and colours.  There is also a new dashboard which significantly improves driver and passenger ergonomics and includes an integrated instrument panel not normally found on B-sector cars.

The seating has been redesigned to improve both comfort and style.  Adopting a brand new manufacturing process has allowed the seat shape to be changed to a more rounded shape, with an attractive new cut to the fabric giving an increased feeling of space.  New flame-retardant trim fabrics, with a unique design for each grade, complete the new-look interior.

Safety features

A number of enhanced safety features have been added to the new Micra and every model in the range now has standard driver’s airbag, optional passenger airbag and ABS (except on Profile), improved headlamp performance and improved braking.

All Micras have front seatbelt pretensioners plus Nissan's acclaimed A/ELR (Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor) seatbelts for the rear seats, which allows child seats to be locked firmly in place.

The new Micra has an even stronger body shell to improve its crash performance. The body combines style with safety and compact exterior dimensions with maximum interior space and excellent all-round visibility.

The rigid passenger compartment is protected by front and rear crumple zones, reinforced windscreen pillars and high tensile steel side impact door beams, which are welded to the inner panels.

Security

The new Micra offers the NATS IV (the fourth generation Nissan Anti-Theft System) immobiliser across the range.   The security has been upgraded further on GX and Si models with the addition of Nissan’s security linked audio systems, optional keyless entry and the availability of Superlocking.  A tamper proof digital odometer is included as part of the new combi-meter layout to prevent ‘clocking’.

Suspension

Front and rear anti-roll bars are standard on all models with enhanced damper settings for excellent straight-line stability and control of body roll.

At the front the Micra uses MacPherson strut suspension with coil springs and at the rear, a sophisticated five-link system. The rear suspension's coil springs and telescopic dampers are mounted independently, for minimum intrusion into rear passenger and luggage space.

Steering

The Micra's rack and pinion steering system is designed to give one of the smallest turning circles in its class, and low steering effort at all speeds – light in town yet with the precision and feedback to make the Micra enjoyable on more challenging country roads.

Power assisted steering is standard on all models and the on-centre feel of the steering has been improved by increasing the damping.  Improved ride control has been achieved with alterations to the front damper struts and rear shock absorbers. Every Micra continues to offer a tilt-adjustable steering wheel, for an optimum driving position.

Brakes

The Micra's brakes are powerful and reliable. They use dual diagonally split hydraulic circuits with an on-board diagnostic system, and as standard the Micra is fitted with front discs and rear drums - in line with an increasing European trend.  The Micra was the first production car to make four-channel ABS compatible with continuously variable transmission, and that compatibility continues with the new Micra.  The latest changes include improved friction materials (all Micras use asbestos-free types) and a revised load sensing valve to optimise front-to-rear brake effort distribution to give the new Micra one of the best stopping distances in its class.

Engines

The Micra's two transversely mounted four-cylinder 16-valve twin-cam engines are among the most refined, economical and technically advanced in their class. Nissan was the first car manufacturer to introduce 16-valve engines on a car in the B segment.

Both the 55 PS 1.0 litre CG10DE and 75 PS 1.3 litre CG13DE engines were designed specifically for the Micra - with compact dimensions and clever ancillary packaging to take up minimum under-bonnet space.

Multi-point, twin spray injection and sophisticated electronic engine management help emissions, economy and long-term reliability.  The engine control unit uses a single chip 16-bit microprocessor for fast response to continually changing fuel and power requirements, and to keep idling speed constant as ancillaries such as headlamps and heaters are switched on and off.

Transmissions

All models in the new Micra range are available with either a five-speed manual gearbox, or Nissan's technically advanced N-CVT – continuously variable automatic transmission (except the Si model).

The new generation Nissan CVT made its debut on the Micra and has become one of its most acclaimed features. Unlike a conventional automatic with its limited number of pre-determined ratios, N-CVT is designed to give smooth, stepless ratio changes for optimum performance and economy.

The clutch action is controlled by a microprocessor to match the driver’s demands with the engine’s optimum performance parameters – depending on engine revs, road speed, gear selection position and braking.  Importantly, the ‘clutch’ is turned off if the anti-lock brake system is activated – which made N-CVT the first continuously variable transmission in production to be compatible with ABS.

The environment

The new Micra continues Nissan's policy of protecting the environment through its fuel efficiency, low emissions, asbestos-free materials and through energy-conscious and environmentally responsible manufacture. Nissan uses recycled materials in an increasing number of areas, making ultimate recycling easier with the coding of all major parts.

Warranty

Micra, like all Nissan vehicles, is covered by Nissan Roadside Assistance, which includes Nissan's comprehensive three-year or 60,000 mile mechanical warranty, three-year paint warranty and six-year perforation corrosion protection.  Twelve months roadside assistance operated in conjunction with the RAC – is also included.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nissan Product and Corporate Affairs on 01923 899930

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