- Nissan rises the micra, which is now in its sixth generation
- A municipal car affordable to EV treatment has been received
- It is based on the recent Renault 5 and there is a lot of crossover
Nissan has revealed details of the new electric micra, which will eventually join a very revised sheet, an electrified version of its Juke SUV and a municipal car that was soon announced in a renewed alignment.
The Japanese brand, which feels the pressure of greater competition and a tentative approach to electric vehicles, expects this renewed model alignment to inject some emotion.
The new micra arrives at a time when Nissan has declared that it will cut 20,000 jobs, close seven factories worldwide and stop a series of new car development programs until you can stabilize the ship.
With more than 40 years of history, the micra certainly has the recognition of the identification plate to change some units and is also based on the same foundations that have already obtained multiple awards and praise: the Renault AMPR Small Platform platform.
Yes, that is the same one that is used for the Renault 5 e-tech and the renault 4 electric reset released. This means that the new micra gets two battery options, with 40kwh and 52kWh at stake.
In the smallest version, drivers get 121BHP to play and a claimed range of 195 miles, but the compact micra weighs only 1,400 kg … It is not bad for a modern EV.
The largest battery option can administer 253 miles and packs a more powerful 148 hp electric motor that feeds the front wheels. That is a bit heavier at 1,524 kg, but the recharge is faster, with the 80kw rate that allows a recharge of 15 to 80% in about 30 minutes.
The Sister Renault company has also offered its suspension, braking system and numerous driving modes, so it should feel largely as Nippy and fantastically fun technology of Renault 5 e-tech to drive.
In fact, here there are a lot of gallic influence, including the interior, where the double screen information and entertainment matrix, the appearance and the board are largely similar.
To differentiate the two cars, Nissan has drawn its past and added round lights of LED daytime races that echo those seen in the European micra of 2002. However, these modern interpretations now perform a brief “Welcomo Wink” choreographed when you unlock the vehicle.
The wider wheel arches, the massive alloy wheels and a lower lip in the front give it a more aggressive posture on the road.
Ah, and there is what designers call the “spoonful of ice cream” that runs along the side, which is essentially a bleeding that has been pressed on the surface just below the windows, “reminiscent of the shape that a spoonful would make if it would drag through the surface of intact ice cream,” according to Nissan.
Analysis: shaking the image of ancient
The micra has been a very popular model for Nissan in Europe, changing more than six million units in the 40 years that it has been on sale, but its image has historically issued first -year vibrations and first car budget (in the United Kingdom, anyway), instead of being something truly desirable.
The latest version is the first in its long history that is not sold with a combustion engine and Nissan expects this fact, together with co-development with Renault, help attract younger buyers.
The European Marketing Chief of Nissan, Arnaud Charpentier, also told Auto Car that the micra would be more expensive than Renault’s offer, hoping that it seems like a more premium option.
But it is difficult to get away from the many similarities between the new micra and Renault 5, with the latter feeling more vibrant, more funky and with much more retro charm … particularly inside.
Borrowed numerous elements of one of the most successful EV releases in recent years is probably not so bad and let’s be sincere, the new micra certainly looks much more attractive than previous generations.
