In all the hooplah surrounding Carlos Ghosn introducing the Nissan URGE
demi-roadster and long-in-the-tooth Sentra replacement, the
new-for-2007 Versa was all but lost in the Detroit shuffle. We’re as guilty as the next guy, so here’s a few shots and
full specs of the company’s first shot at leveraging Renault’s styling language across the Pond here in the U.S. (shame
it couldn’t ‘leverage’ it a little more succesfully, as on the Megane
or Clio–
Ed.)
The entry-level five door, riding on the ‘Flex-B’ underpinnings co-developed with the aforementioned French
automaker is already on sale in other global markets– including Japan, where it is pitched as the Tiida. This is the
first showing for the Versa in production-spec Stateside, with the five-door seen here scheduled to lay ply in dealer
lots beginning early this summer. A sedan variant will come on-stream in ‘late 2006.’
[a full compliment of photos, impressions, and complete specs after the jump]
Unusually for a U.S.-market subcompact, the Versa will feature a range of three transmissions, including a 6-speed
manual, a four-speed automatic, and the company’s Xtronic CVT, which is said to improve fuel economy to the tune of
10%. The 1.8L DOHC four-pot is estimated to put out 120-horses and “125-plus lb-ft torque.”
As there’s precious little money to be made in bargain-basement offerings, Nissan is hoping to raise average
transaction prices by placing the Versa as a premium subcompact in the consumer’s mind. To do that, the manufacturer is
offering such (formerly) high-end options as Bluetooth hands-free phoning, smart key, and a variant of the stonking
Rockford Fosgate stereo that has spread like kudzu throughout its lineup.
As with other new entries in this class, the high seating position not only engenders excellent sightlines, it also
offers surprisingly credible space for driver and passengers alike. Instrumentation is straight-forward and logical,
though we’d prefer that the stereo and HVAC controls trade places with the storage bin in the center stack. a
high-mounted gear selector is the the interior’s only real USP. Panel fitments and quality seem well-resolved for the
money.
Expected to sticker for around $12,000 for starters, the Nissan Versa is set to cross swords in the resurgent
subcompact class, going up against the Chevy’s reinvigorated Aveo, as well as Honda’s Fit and the Toyota Yaris.
(Below information courtesy Nissan)