Nissan Micra unveiled in Geneva

Nissan's all-new Micra has been unveiled at the 2010 Geneva motor show, showing off an all-new design, while also adding new technologies and safety features.

The design has to "charm a global audience," comments Makoto Yamane, the Associate Product Chief Designer. "Its face had to look stylish and have an air of sophistication to it."

Hoping to replicate the success of the Ford Fiesta, the Micra will be sold in 160 countries and together with the new design, upgrades made to the Micra's powertrain won't hurt its chances of becoming a big money spinner for Nissan.

Two engine types will be offered when the car is launched in Europe, both displacing a very compact 1.2-litres. The new three-cylinder petrol engines will be offered in normally aspirated and supercharged guises, outputting 59kW/108Nm and 72kW/142Nm respectively.

The supercharged 1.2-litre engine also benefits from direct petrol injection and will be fitted as standard with a fuel-saving start-stop system on European models. No fuel economy figures have been released at this stage.

It is not yet know if both engines will be offered when the new Micra is launched in Australia later this year, but the new automatic continuously variable transmission, or CVT, will be offered in this country. Together with the CVT, a five-speed manual will be offered. Nissan Australia has previously indicated that it is interested in expanding the local Micra line-up beyond its current five-door, automatic only offering.

Based on Nissan's new V global platform, the new Micra has a very tight turning circle of just nine metres, kerb to kerb, which will make it easier to park and will improve its urban suitability in general.

European models come standard with safety features such as a "highly reinforced body shell", ABS, dual front airbags, curtain and side airbags, plus an electronic stability programme (ESP) and pretensioning seatbelts.

Some of the features available to the top spec models will include reversing sensors with a new 'parking space measurement' or PSM device, an intelligent key, and even a touch-screen stereo with satellite navigation.

"Combine 25 years’ experience of designing compact cars for city driving... with a totally new, versatile platform and Nissan production know-how... and the result is modern, simple and destined to be a serious competitor on the world stage," said Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn during the car's reveal.

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