The Micra Nissan launched early 2017, broke with its predecessor in a lot of ways. Most noticeably, its appearance.
However, it hasn't become the sales success Nissan hoped it would be, because Nissan only sold 4.500 Micra's in 2018.
With that, it's not even near the numbers of the Renault Clio or Volkswagen Polo. So, what did Nissan decide?
They're investing in improving the Micra. That all started last year with new infotainment and electric windows in the back,
and with the latest refreshment, the Micra can now be supplied with a new 1.0-litre engine. Will that be enough for a golden era for the Micra?
To find out, we've got to drive it. But first, I want to talk about the new engine range. From now on, the 1.0-litre engine is the...
only engine available in the Micra. This 1.0-litre, producing 100 horsepower and 160 Nm of torque, replaces the 90 horsepower and 140 Nm 0.9-litre...
which was in the Micra beforehand. The base engine, the 71 horsepower atmospheric 1.0-litre, won't return either because of the WLTP-cycle.
Also, the diesel version won't return after the facelift, so the engine range consists of only one engine. Pretty clear, right?
Right, the new 1.0-litre 3-cylinder. It produces 100 horsepower and 160 Nm of torque, and Renault uses it in the Clio as well. And it's a good...
addition, because it replaces the 0.9-litre which was in this Micra before. And it was quite a quirky engine, pretty explosive.
That doesn't mean it would explode or anything, but that it released all of its power in a very small rev range.
You could set off easily, but you really had to try to get it above 2.000 RPM. When you got there, it would produce all of its power.
In a very small range as well. So when you were driving, it would go all of a sudden. But when you wanted to change up,
you had all of the power. Not very refined. This new 1.0-litre however, does things a lot better. As I said, the torque and power output are higher,
The way the power is distributed across the rev range is better as well. Beneath 2.000 RPM the engine is alert as well, but that doesn't mean...
it's incredibly quick down there, because it has to spool up as well. But it's a big improvement. The new engine doesn't only give the...
Micra a more approachable personality, it's also more economical. According to Nissan, you should save around 13% of petrol compared to the 0.9.
Since the last update, Nissan supplies the Micra with an automatic gearbox as well. It's not a regular one though, but it's a CVT called X-Tronic.
It's equipped with what Nissan calls D-Step Technology. In short, that means it's a CVT-gearbox with set gears.
So when you push the accelerator over 50%, the car acts like it has actual gears. All to remove the rubber band-feeling.
The Micra we're driving right now is connected to a manual 5-speed though, and that's the transmission Nissan expects the most from.
Around 85% of the buyers will go for that. The gearbox doesn't really excel in anything, but it isn't as sharp as you'd think from a Japanese car.
Of course, that's because Nissan is shopping at Renault for parts.
They haven't changed the chassis, so the Micra remains a pretty dynamic car. It's pretty sturdy for a car in this class, but it doesn't mean your...
kidneys will be in your neck when you go over a speed bump. It's able to process imperfections in a good way,
but the focus clearly was on dynamic handling. And you'll notice mostly in corners, because the Micra is able to handle itself perfectly.
The nose does exactly what you want it to and the steering is fine, so there's nothing to complain about. Nissan has said they've...
taken the opportunity to improve the isolation, but you won't really notice that. At certain speeds, you still hear a lot of wind noises.
Speed bumps cause noise as well, and it just doesn't feel very refined. That's the point of criticism we had, and still have with the Micra.
You might've spotted that this Nissan Micra has quite an attractive trim, and that's because it's the new N-Sport version.
It's a trim level inbetween the N-Connecta and the Tekna, and it mostly consists of exterior features.
Unfortunately, it's only a cosmetic trim level. In other countries, this version is available with a 117 horsepower engine. But we won't get that.
So that raises the question, how do we recognize it? Well, it starts with the bumper, which now has a carbon look. Just like the 17-inch alloys,
with a carbon look. And furtheron, the side view mirrors have carbon look as well. But you guessed that already, right? Let's move to the inside.
On the inside, Nissan has done a little more for their N-Sport-trim. It starts with the black seats I'm on, with alcantara and a leather look.
White stitching everywhere, not only on the seats but on the dash and middle console as well. Alcantara-dash...
Some hard plastic in the door panels, as we're used to. However, under here there's some good materials. Also, floor mats with white racing stripes.
No groundbreaking changes, but it sure is nicer to look at. I also mentioned a new infotainment system, but that's something of the previous update.
However, we haven't talked about it, so this is the perfect opportunity. Right. It's been overhauled completely. A new interface, new software,
and despite the fact it's not the quickest or best looking system, it does work good. It's standard from the Accenta up, and it supports...
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in every instance. If you disagree with the way Nissan has divided the buttons, you can alter that as well.
You're able to move icons, widgets and shortcuts across the screen. That way, you can have everything where you want it.
Also, it comes with shortcut-buttons on the side, so you don't have to swipe menu's endlessly only to find your satnav.
Right, concluding. We already know the Micra for a while and the changes Nissan has now applied won't change the car a lot.
It still looks good with that sharp nose and sharp lines, however it does obstruct the view backwards.
Also, a huge disadvantage will remain the interior space. Whilst the seating in the front is good, it's bad in the back. I'm not the tallest,
but I'm barely able to sit behind myself. The legroom isn't good and I wouldn't call the headroom ideal either.
Then there's the boot. It's decent with its 300 litres, but there are enough rivals which offer more space.
The Nissan Micra with its new engine is available from €18.990, and for that money you'll get the Visia-trim level.
Across the entire range, the car goes up around €1.500. If you want the X-Tronic automatic gearbox, you should count on an additional €2.500.
This particular N-Sport-version will set you back €23.045.