- Nissan resuscitates Micra, which is now in its sixth generation
- The affordable city car received the EV treatment
- It is based on the recent Renault 5 and there is a lot of crossing
Nissan has revealed details on the brand new electric micra, which will ultimately be joined by a strongly revised sheet, an electrified version of its SUV Juke and a city car which will soon be announced in a refreshed range.
The Japanese brand, which feels the pressure of increased competition and a temporary approach to electric vehicles, hopes that this range of refreshing models can inject a little excitement.
The new Micra arrives at a time when Nissan said that he would reduce 20,000 jobs, would close seven factories around the world and suspend a number of new cars development programs until he can stabilize the ship.
With more than 40 years of history, the Micra certainly has the recognition of the signage plate to move a few units and is also based on the same foundations which have already won several prices and distinctions – the Renault Ampr Small Platform.
Yes, it is the same that it is used for the RENAULT 5 e-tech restart and the recently launched Renault 4 electric restart. This means that the new Micra obtains two battery options, with 40 kWh and 52 kWh to win.
In the smaller version, the drivers obtained 121 hp with and a claimed range of 195 miles, but the micra compact weighs only 1400 kg… not bad for a modern EV.
The larger battery option can manage 253 meters of range and contains a more powerful 148 hp electric motor which supplies the front wheels. It is slightly heavier at 1,524 kg, but the recharging is faster, the rate of 80 kW allowing a recharging of 15 to 80% in about 30 minutes.
The Sister Renault company has also offered its suspension system, braking and many driving modes, it should therefore largely feel like nippy and fantastically fun e-tech technology.
In fact, there is a huge amount of gallic influence here, including inside, where the double -screen infotainment network, switching devices and the dashboard seem largely similar.
To differentiate the two cars, Nissan has shot its past and added round LED daytimes that echo those seen on the 2002 European Micra. However, these modern interpretations are now making a short “Welcome Wink” choreographed when you unlock the vehicle.
The wider wheel arches, the massive alloy wheels and a lip lower than the front contribute to giving it a more aggressive position on the road.
Oh, and there is what designers call the “ice cream scoop” that flows to the side, which is essentially a shot that was pressed in the surface just under the windows, “recalling the shape that a scoop would do if it was dragged through the surface of the intact ice cream”, according to Nissan.
Analysis: shake the image of the old
Micra was an extremely popular model for Nissan in Europe, moving more than six million units during the 40 years when it has been on sale, but its image has historically released driver and first car budget vibrations (in the United Kingdom, in the United Kingdom), rather than ever something really desirable.
The latest version is the first of its long history not to be sold with a combustion engine and Nissan hopes that this fact, alongside co-development with Renault, will help it to call on young buyers.
Nissan’s European marketing boss Arnaud Charpentier also told Auto because the Micra would be more expensive than Renault’s offer, hoping that it would appear as a more premium option.
But it is difficult to move away from the many similarities between the new Micra and Renault 5, the latter feeling more dynamic, more funk and carrying much more retro charm … especially inside.
Borrowing many elements from one of the most successful EV launches in recent years is probably not such a bad thing and let’s face it, the brand new Micra certainly seems much more attractive than previous generations.
