Click the image above for a hi-res gallery of the Micra 160 SR
If there's one thing this blogger hates, it's begging. But Nissan, please bring this car to America. (Was that good enough, Nissan?) If Dr. Evil drove this car, his would declare the same thing I did: "friggin fantastic." Along with the Cube I've already committed to buy, I promise I'll get one of these as well.
This 1.6-liter, five-speed, 110-HP gas-powered version is a volcanic blast to drive. So much so that I ditched the road guide book for the first snaking mountain road I saw, and after going up and down once I spun the little red robin around and did it again. It's more fun than a MINI -- and I really like the MINI. But the Micra 160 SR is hootin' hollerin' hands up hallelujah fun. No wonder it's the best selling Nissan in Europe.
Inside, it's all you need in a spicy little hatch, which is to say not much, but what's there is just right. It's roomy, there's plenty of cargo space -- including a bin under the front passenger seat and a cavernous glove box -- but the cupholders will only do tiny cups. Although it's not like you'll have time to drink, with all the hooning you'll be doing. And the car is so adorable it teaches buttons how to be cute. I'm a fan. Nissan, the phrase you're looking for is: US regulatory approval.
You can check out the Nissan 360 event site for more details on all the vehicles in Nissan's lineup and company stats. In the mean time, be sure to check out the gallery of hi-res photos below.
Travel and lodging for this media event were provided by the manufacturer.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
bakka @ Apr 30th 2008 2:33PM
Why don't they sell it here?
Because nobody in NA wants a good small car. Autoblog members notwithstanding.
Peter @ Apr 30th 2008 2:41PM
If gas prices keep climbing people will soon be standing in line to get vehicles like these....
Xcountryflyer @ Apr 30th 2008 2:43PM
What rock have you been hiding under? With current gas prices, sales of trucks and SUVs are plummeting and smaller car sales are rising.
The Micra is more interesting than the Versa and Sentra. I wish they'd bring a 3DR Versa over. The 4DR is just ugly and inefficient, like the 4DR Yaris. They won't bring it over of course.
I drove a Micra about 5 years ago in the UK as a rental car and thought it was a fun car then.
jgp @ Apr 30th 2008 3:05PM
What, like the Mini Cooper S isn't a smash hit in the US?
Aprime @ Apr 30th 2008 3:20PM
"The 4DR is just ugly and inefficient"
What the f*ck?
Not arguing over 'ugly', of course... Well, I do think the Sport version is attractive. :(
Xcountryflyer @ Apr 30th 2008 3:46PM
4DRs versus hatchbacks/wagons of the same size are nearly always more space inefficient. The cargo capacity and utility of a hatchback/wagon is nearly always greater than a 4DR sedan, apples to apples. In many cases, you can have a shorter wagon/hatchback that will equal the space utility of a larger sedan.
That's what I meant.
Aprime @ Apr 30th 2008 6:15PM
OH, I thought you were talking about the 5-door.
Just call it a sedan next time. :v
tio @ Apr 30th 2008 2:42PM
I like it a lot, but, for me, the Versa works better because of the rear leg room. 4 adults would not have fun fitting in this car. Rear leg room is like the Mini, almost none. For someone that can do with two seats and a rear baby car seat holder, this is a sweet ride.
Zerk @ Apr 30th 2008 2:44PM
This is the March in Japan, yes?
Nissan did a fair amount of testing about 3-5 years ago with the March in the USA and the reception when paneled to consumers was not good.
I suspect Nissan could sell at least 40,000 per year of these in NA, probably not worth the trouble to federalize and advertise.
Zerk @ Apr 30th 2008 2:45PM
Since this is made in Washington and the dollar is weak I doubt this could be imported at a competitive price.
Michael Hutchinson @ Apr 30th 2008 5:28PM
Washington...UK. Trust me, after working at the plant where they build these, you don't want one.
joel @ Apr 30th 2008 3:00PM
Living in Los Angeles this is the exact kind of car we need. Or at least people like me. My partner has an A4 so that car is the road trip car. While I just drive to and from work and a few errands. I drive under 50 miles a week mostly all in traffic. I drive a less than 3 miles to work that if I'd relied on public transportation would take me 75 minutes to get to. Yes, I bussed and walked it once. Not fun! I run quick errands to the market and such. A small car like this is perfect for me. Bring it here, keep the price low and you got a hot seller.
Pluton @ Apr 30th 2008 3:01PM
So, finally Nissan hired Honda designers. Woo Hoo...
DCragtop @ Apr 30th 2008 3:07PM
You know...I'm always forcing myself to not like micro-cars...but this Nissan makes total sense over an expensive hybrid system. It looks cool, gets great mileage, cost of ownership whould be extremly low and it'll get you across town with minimal effort. I had the pleasure of driving the Yaris for a few weeks, but it had an auto-tranny and that just sucked, but I'm imagining myself in this car (in black with a manual) and having fun across DC. Can we ask VW to poll city folks to see if they'd rather have the Nissan?? I'm guessing that 89% would already say yes.
Aprime @ Apr 30th 2008 3:42PM
"pleasure of driving the Yaris for a few weeks"
I lol'd so hard, 9/10.
DCragtop @ Apr 30th 2008 3:48PM
I'm here all week! But there is a 2 drink minimum.
tanooki2003 @ Apr 30th 2008 3:58PM
Nissan you heard the educated open minded masses. Bring this car over here. We need cars like this since the big 3 of NA seem to only want to sink their money in reinventing the 60's, and 70's with their muscle pony cars instead of investing more in making small & mid sized cars more luxurious for the daily driver.
epilonious @ Apr 30th 2008 5:35PM
I still think there is a gap between the perceived desire of people who want these things... and the actual number of people buying these things.
If this car would do so well... why isn't the Yaris skyrocketing? Why was scion so quick to upsize the xB and kill the xA to make the xD? Why did Honda lowball the Fit so much?
I think the basic answer is simple: People perceive little cars as unsafe. All it takes is driving one of the things 80 MPH on a freeway surrounded by semi's and explorers before you suddenly feel like you are riding in a motorcycle surrounded by tinfoil... even if has a 5-star all around and all good by the NHTSA... they still ride like roller skates/go carts and people still wouldn't get it because they just think of teeny hatchbacks as coffins.
steve-o @ Apr 30th 2008 4:03PM
my gf drives a MICRA in Japan at the moment. its called a Nissan "March"
cute as bug
(the car. not the gf)
AntBee @ Apr 30th 2008 4:31PM
I was looking at these yesterday on the Nissan 360 site, and was thinking how cute and fun they look. I especially liked the white SR one. It's too bad it will never see the light of day over here in NA.