Nissan has launched the new and radically different Nissan Micra with a starting price of €16,650.
After four generations of Micra, spanning more than 30 years and 111,000 sales in Ireland, this is a dramatic transformation in design and styling from the outgoing model.
The new Micra is an impressive car. It not only replaces the old Micra, but also the Note. It also now targets a different potential buyer than the traditional Micra owner. It has moved in to the mainline and very competitive B-segment, which accounts for about 17.5 per cent of Irish new car sales. Nissan is targeting a younger profile, with a stylish new design, many colours and a range of personalisation options.
Nissan describes it as featuring an expressive design exterior and that works for me. It also has an impressive interior.
It comes in four grade options: XE, SV, SV Premium and SVE. The range will start from €16,650 for the generously specified base 1.0 litre XE model, up to €22,650 for the 1.5 litre diesel SVE version.
The new Micra is available with three responsive and efficient engines at launch. The two petrol units, the 0.9 litre turbo and the 1.0 litre, which Nissan expects to be the biggest seller in Ireland. The third unit is the 1.5 litre turbo-diesel engine, which Nissan expects to only account fro about five per cent of sales here.
An increment of €1,000 will be charged for customers wishing to opt for the 0.9 litre turbo-petrol engine over the 1.0 litre naturally aspirated petrol, and a further €2,000 for the 1.5 litre diesel engine.
Standard specification in Micra XE grade includes 15-inch steel wheels/covers, LED daytime running lights, electric door mirrors with integrated turn signals, electric front windows, rear spoiler, hill start assist, trip computer with gear-shift indicator and outside temperature read-out, manual air conditioning, height-adjustable driver’s seat, rake/reach adjustable steering wheel, two-tone dashboard. Pricing for the XE grade starts at €16,650.
The SV grade cars add 16-inch Alloy wheels, 7” display audio system, cruise control, chrome interior door handles and gear shift surround, SV black and grey cloth trim. Pricing for the SV grade starts at €17,450.
SV Premium grade cars come with leather steering wheel, privacy glass, front fog lamps, LED ambient lighting, Auto air conditioning, rain sensors, Nissan Connect. SV Premium can be purchased from €19,450.
While the top spec SVE grade adds 17-inch alloy wheels, Nissan Intelligent Key with engine start button, rear view camera with rear parking sensors, BOSE Personal audio system with six speakers, Safety Pack, leather steering wheel and gearshift, 3 rear headrests and SVE black and grey cloth trim. SVE grade starts from €20,650 on a 0.9 petrol engine.
The new Micra also has an exclusive optional extra that has to heard to be believed - a BOSE Personal audio system, a world first for this type of sound system in a car. The Bose Sound system uses six strategically placed speakers including two speakers in the driver’s headrest and combined with proprietary digital signal processing Nissan and Bose delivers an immersive, personalised listening experience for new Micra drivers. The BOSE Audio sound system will cost €500, which may seem a lot, but if you appreciate a great sound, you will think it is worth every cent of it.
In addition, customers can make the new Nissan Micra their own by choosing from 65 exterior and interior personalisation combinations. Interior personalisation options start from €400 and exterior personalisation kits, which include 17” alloy wheels as standard, cost €1,000.
