Autoblog

Spy Shots: Next Nissan Micra spotted?

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Minivan/Van, Hatchback, Nissan

Images of the next generation Nissan Micra have plopped onto the interwebs, and they have brought with them a revelation we are a little ashamed to have come to so late. First, let us say that we really, really dig the Nissan Micra as it is. Sure, we delight most in its hardcore version, but even the gutless four-door variants have that design going for them: the Micra is wonderfully visually compelling.

The revelation is this: when it comes to Nissan, the phrase "This car is coming to the U.S." looks to actually mean "a bloated kind of melty looking version of this car is coming to the U.S." We saw it first with the Cube, and the same sort of globular travesty has apparently been perpetrated on the Micra. Forget the oh-so-sexy sketch from a month ago. If this is the car we're getting, look for the Micra with its thumb stuck its thumb in its grille and puffed-out cheeks.

When the new Micra bows as a 2011 model, it will reportedly be built in four-door, five-door, and MPV flavors, all of which will supposedly be powered by a three-cylinder engine. What isn't clear, however, is which Micra bodystyles we'll see in America.

[Source: Joke for Blog]

Spy Shots: Next Nissan Micra spotted? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Next generation Nissan Micra coming to the U.S.

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Budget, Minivan/Van, Sedan, Europe, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Nissan, UK

Next Generation Nissan Micra - Click above for high-res image gallery

On the eve of the Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan has confirmed plans to offer the next generation Micra in the United States. The new, yet-to-be-named model will slot in below the Versa (the Micra is nearly two-feet shorter than Nissan's entry-level hatch) and will be built atop Nissan's new low-cost "V" architecture.

The new model will be build at five of Nissan's plants around the world and will be equipped with a three-cylinder engine putting out an undisclosed amount of power. Three variants will be available - a four-door sedan, five-door hatchback and an MPV-like vehicle - all in an effort to sell one million "V" platform units globally each year. Nissan hasn't disclosed when the next generation Micra will go on sale globally - or more specifically, in the States - but expect the sub-compact runabout to hit U.S. shores sometime in 2011 or 2012.

Gallery: 2010 Nissan Micra Sketches

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

REPORT: Next generation Nissan Micra coming to the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nissan announces new mystery vehicle for UK plant

Michael Harley — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Plants/Manufacturing, Nissan, UK

Click on the above sketch for a high-res gallery of the Micra 160 SR

After sharing tea at Nissan's European Design Centre in central London, Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Nissan Motor Company, and the Right Honorable Gordon Brown, the British Prime Minister, released the news that Nissan will design and build an all-new compact car in the UK's Sunderland plant. The car, a dedicated A-platform, will be used for several new models, including the next-gen Micra. According to the press release posted after the jump, the new Nissan will fill the void created when the current version of the Nissan Micra ends production in 2010. A boon for the local economy, the Sunderland facility employs 4,700 Brits who helped produce 374,000 vehicles in 2007. Nearly 80-percent of those were exported, making Nissan the largest vehicle exporter in the United Kingdom.

Gallery: Nissan 360: the Micra 160 SR

Continue reading Nissan announces new mystery vehicle for UK plant

Nissan announces new mystery vehicle for UK plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nissan 360: the Micra 160 SR

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Nissan

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.

Gallery: Nissan 360: the Micra 160 SR

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.

Nissan 360: the Micra 160 SR originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Japan: Nissan March gets facelifted

Alex Nunez — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 09:26:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Budget, Japan, Hatchback, Nissan

Click image for gallery of the updated Nissan march

On Tuesday, Nissan released a facelifted version of its Japanese-market March. One can only assume that these changes will ultimately be seen in Europe as well in the form of an updated Micra, but we'll just have to wait and see how that pans out. Anyway, the freshened March gets new headlamps, revised grilles, and an available front bumper treatment that'll see wider use as standard equipment across the line. Other changes include the implementation of Nissan's I-Key, some new paint colors, a new HDD Navi model and a Cacao-colored interior option.

Also updated are the odd-looking March Bolero and the MINI-aping (look at the grille) March Rafeet. The kitted, more aggressive-looking SR models are pretty cool, too. In addition to the March facelift, Nissan's introducing the Micra C+C in Japan for the first time. For whatever reason, it retains its Euro-market name after making the trip to Japan.

More info can be found in the press releases after the jump.

[Source: Nissan]

Gallery: Nissan March (JDM)

Gallery: Nissan Micra C+C

Continue reading Japan: Nissan March gets facelifted

Japan: Nissan March gets facelifted originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jun 2007 09:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nissan Micra C+C+Conran gets designer makeover

Alex Nunez — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Coupe, Etc., Europe, Misc. Auto Shows

Nissan's relationship with London-based designer Sebastian Conran continues with the the latest product of their collaboration: the Nissan Micra C+C+Conran concept. Based on the 1.6 Essenza version of the neat little Micra C+C, the C+C+Conran is a design exercise that will be floated at this week's British International Motor Show to gauge potential interest in a production version. No mechanical changes have been made -- this one's all about style.

Conran's goal with the exterior was to emulate the finish of Japanese lacquer. The paint color used is called Blushing Black, named for the deep wine-red reflections it casts off. The lights and wheels are said to incorporate fleeting hints of red in their dark grey finishes, but in the photos that nuance is not immediately apparent. The trunklid paintwork also incorporates a subtle leaf pattern, which ties directly to the car's interior styling.

(More after the jump! Remainder of the post, photo gallery, and press materials follow)

[Source: Nissan UK]

Continue reading Nissan Micra C+C+Conran gets designer makeover

Nissan Micra C+C+Conran gets designer makeover originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jul 2006 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments