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Nissan gives the Micra compact car a facelift

05 Jun 2013|5,342 views

Nissan has updated the Micra/March compact hatchback with a number of changes that Nissan claims redefines the term mid-term facelift.

Despite being a facelift, Nissan claims the cosmetic enhancements provides the car with a stronger, more assertive and dynamic look

The front facia wears a new grille that re-establishes a stronger link to Nissan's corporate look with the familiar circular badge 'held' within a chromed extended V-shaped motif.

More than the grille, the bonnet, wings, headlamps and front bumper are also all new. Even the front fog lamps have been given a distinctive new shape & chrome surround.

Around the rear you get a redesigned bumper, new LED tail lamps and a panel at the bottom of the tailgate.

In the cabin, the updates start with the instrument graphics that have been improved for greater clarity, while there's a totally new centre console with restyled air vents.

The door armrests have been textured to give a higher quality appearance and there are new seat and door pad fabrics. Visia and Acenta trims have a durable tricot mesh woven fabric - a material often used for sports clothing - while top Tekna trim models have a suede-like fabric with double stitching.

More importantly, the Micra benefits from the latest NissanConnect navigation and communication system, which has new features and a bigger 5.8-inch screen with chromed controls. Upgraded navigation now features eco-routing, which automatically calculates the route likely to use the least fuel.

The interior has been enhanced with the use of gloss black finish on the centre console and a silver look to the gear selector

The new system also incorporates advanced features such as Google Send-To-Car technology, which allows an owner to plan a journey and then send the instructions to the car prior to the journey.

Another innovation is the availability of an advanced parking aid when equipped with Parking Slot Measurement (PSM) and Rear Parking Sensors. PSM measures parking slots and alerts the driver if the Micra can be safely parked in the space. The system can even be adjusted to account for the driver's skill - amateur, normal or expert.

The Micra is powered by Nissan's latest three-cylinder 1.2-litre direct injection gasoline supercharged (DIG-S) unit. The range-topping DIG-S develops 96bhp with diesel-rivalling economy at 29.3km/L combined and CO₂ emissions from just 95g/km.

DIG-S engines also feature automatic stop/start that improve fuel economy by around four percent. The entry-level 1.2-litre unit develops 78bhp and emits just 115g/km of CO₂. The Micra is front-wheel driven and contain a five-speed manual transmission with the latest generation CVT also available as an option.

Standard equipment includes remote central locking, front power windows, electric power steering, 14-inch wheels and a full complement of safety equipment including a number of airbags ABS and ESP, among others.

On top of a new look, the new Micra has been given a substantial interior makeover packing new technology, a new centre console, new trim and new finishing touches. The Micra can be finished with two new colours - pearl metallic Pacific Blue (a predominantly turquoise shade) and metallic Platinum Sage and gets new shoes in either 15 or 16-inch alloy wheels.

The front facia wears a new grille that re-establishes a stronger link to Nissan's corporate look with the familiar circular badge 'held' within a chromed extended V-shaped motif.

More than the grille, the bonnet, wings, headlamps and front bumper are also all new. Even the front fog lamps have been given a distinctive new shape & chrome surround.

Around the rear you get a redesigned bumper, new LED tail lamps and a panel at the bottom of the tailgate.

In the cabin, the updates start with the instrument graphics that have been improved for greater clarity, while there's a totally new centre console with restyled air vents.

The door armrests have been textured to give a higher quality appearance and there are new seat and door pad fabrics. Visia and Acenta trims have a durable tricot mesh woven fabric - a material often used for sports clothing - while top Tekna trim models have a suede-like fabric with double stitching.

More importantly, the Micra benefits from the latest NissanConnect navigation and communication system, which has new features and a bigger 5.8-inch screen with chromed controls. Upgraded navigation now features eco-routing, which automatically calculates the route likely to use the least fuel.

The new system also incorporates advanced features such as Google Send-To-Car technology, which allows an owner to plan a journey and then send the instructions to the car prior to the journey.

Another innovation is the availability of an advanced parking aid when equipped with Parking Slot Measurement (PSM) and Rear Parking Sensors. PSM measures parking slots and alerts the driver if the Micra can be safely parked in the space. The system can even be adjusted to account for the driver's skill - amateur, normal or expert.

The Micra is powered by Nissan's latest three-cylinder 1.2-litre direct injection gasoline supercharged (DIG-S) unit. The range-topping DIG-S develops 96bhp with diesel-rivalling economy at 29.3km/L combined and CO₂ emissions from just 95g/km.

DIG-S engines also feature automatic stop/start that improve fuel economy by around four percent. The entry-level 1.2-litre unit develops 78bhp and emits just 115g/km of CO₂. The Micra is front-wheel driven and contain a five-speed manual transmission with the latest generation CVT also available as an option.

Standard equipment includes remote central locking, front power windows, electric power steering, 14-inch wheels and a full complement of safety equipment including a number of airbags ABS and ESP, among others.