Nissan Micra 1.4 2007 Review - International

After a history of on-again off-again rumours and quasi announcements, Nissan's Micra is set to make what we anticipate will be a welcome return to Australia's light car segment.

Due to hit local roads around the same time as its launch at the Australian International Motor Show at Darling Harbour in October, Aussie Micras will be sourced from Japan. And the range will be, err... Simple. In fact, one model only...

While Micra options elsewhere include 1.2, 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol and 1.5-litre turbodiesel engines matched to manual and auto boxes, we get the 1.4/auto combo only. In body style, though three and five-door models and even a sassy two-door folding hard-roof convertible are available, Down Under it's five-door only. Aussie Micra buyers are not going to be spoiled for choice.

The Carsales Network was granted a sneak peek drive of the Micra in the UK earlier this month. As will be the case with Australian-delivery cars, the Micras we drove were the latest "minor change" facelifted versions of a model originally launched in 2002.

Minor change translates to redesigned grille, new front and rear bumpers and taillights, reshaped seats and a freshened interior... All of which is rather irrelevant to Australians, who weren't offered the model that needing facelifting in the first place.

The 1.4 we sampled sported a height-adjustable driver's seat and air-conditioning. We can expect the Aussie Micras to also include tilt-steering adjustment, front electric windows, speed-sensitive steering, CD player, front airbags, headrests for all (three) rear passengers... And, like Tiida, disc front and drum rear brakes -- featuring ABS with EBD and brake assist.

Micra uses a conventional strut front and torsion beam rear suspension set-up and was plenty nimble across the windy, narrow country roads we drove near Oxford. With responsive steering, minimal body roll and reasonable grip, the Micra's a competent handler and should inject more 'fun factor' into the light car crowd.

This agility doesn't come at the expense of comfort. The ride of our UK-built tester was commendably smooth over the short test route. Final impressions, however, will have to wait until we sample Micra on our local roads.

Nissan says the Aussie Micra's 1.4-litre twin-cam four-cylinder engine will be rated at 65kW/128Nm. Details such as its ADR 81:00 fuel consumption will also have to wait until Micra's local release.

The 1.4-litre engine is a decent unit and also sounds better than some of the flyweights we've tried recently. Importantly, it has enough go from whoa not to leave you puttering dangerously into city traffic.

The four-speed auto was well-behaved and a good match for the engine, even if it's our only option to begin with. It's yet to be seen whether Nissan will offer a CVT auto on the new Micra, which isn't due until 2009 according to scuttlebutt here and abroad.

During our flying UK visit we also sampled the Micra SR Sport, which Nissan Australia is "contemplating". With a 1.6-litre engine rated at 81kW/153Nm, five-speed manual and 16-inch alloys it's quite quick and looks cool. Think warm hatch, rather than hot.

Nissan UK's consumption figures for the manual-only SR 1.6 are 6.6lt/100km: frustratingly close to the 1.4's 6.8lt/100km for the auto we're getting (and 6.3lt for the manual we're not).

Micra's cabin features narrow but snug seating and well-shaped and deep door pockets front and rear.

The 'bath tub' window line runs 360 degrees across the dash, front and rear doors and across the rear hatch glazing. This consistent line is pleasing to the eye, making the interior feel more spacious than some high-sided narrow-windowed hatches. Indeed, from the driver's seat Micra has excellent vision rearward and especially forward, unobstructed by the wide, but low dash. Front and rear headroom and legroom is also comparatively generous for a small car.

We loved the Micra's looks. Its quirky styling distinguishes it from most of the charmless light car crowd and should stand the test of time -- or at least the two years before the new model.

Nissan Australia admitted that while it's not looking for market leadership with Micra, the car's return may strip sales of its current light/small car incumbent, Tiida. Thus the company is counting on Micra's unique looks to win new fans to the brand.

"There will be [sales] substitution between Micra and Tiida when Micra arrives," marketing manager Ross Booth told the Carsales Network in London. "But as we're expecting with Dualis, I'd argue it [Micra] will bring people in. And if they didn't want Tiida they may want Micra.

"Micra's styling will be a standout on Australian roads and we make no apologies for that. It's what our brand stands for. We're very excited about what's ahead for us," Booth said.

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