What is it?
Do not adjust your sets, ladies and gentlemen – it really does say ‘Micra’ on the bootlid of the bold- and alluring-looking hatchback you’re looking at. It’s hard to believe, partly because ‘daring looks’ don’t rank among the strengths that this long-lived supermini has built a reputation for over its thirty years on sale. But the fourth-generation Nissan Micra that's now being ushered into the waste paper basket of automotive history was both singularly undesirable and execrable to drive. Micras have not always been thus, but the last one certainly was. The new one, however, is anything but.
So much we already know, of course, after a lengthy drive in a prototype Micra late last year. Now comes the chance to drive the finished car, which arrives in UK showrooms in, wait for it… March (a gag there for anyone who knows what this car is called in many other global markets. Waka waka, how we laughed, ahem).
The new fifth-generation Micra is built on an updated version of the same ‘V-platform’ that underpinned the last version but has undergone radical change under the skin; major mechanicals shared between the last Micra and the new one number only the engine mountings and the relative location of the car’s pedals, some of the suspension components and the fuel tank. The new Micra has a power steering system derived from that of the Nissan Qashqai, a completely reconfigured chassis, wider axle tracks, a lower centre of gravity, all-new seats and interior, and a choice of engines and transmissions sourced from alliance partner Renault. For now, the most powerful of those engines is the 898cc turbo petrol three-pot that also serves in the Renault Clio and Twingo, producing up to 94bhp and 111lb ft of torque on overboost.
Join the debate
Einarbb
Not a high performance car
fadyady
Steep
xxxx
Nope not compared to the £19,495 Basic ST-2 5 DOOR
Cheapest 5 door Fiesta ST is £19,500 so that's £2,200 extra for a start and the Fiesta will have a fairly basic inside NO parking sensors, NO auto lights, NO cruise, NO ELECTRIC rear windows, £400 for Sat Nav, NO rear view camera. I'm pretty sure the Tenka has all these but I can't be sure.
Either way it's not the same as the Fiesta ST.
typos1 - Just can’t respect opinion
simpy3
This is the top-spec form. A
It's no more expensive than any others in the segment.
CarsGuru
Is it really appropriate to
Matt Saunders
@CarsGuru
Even Nissan admits the gen4 Micra wasn't close to good enough for European tastes. It sold a fraction of what older versions did, and we put in amongst the least commendable cars in a very big class. I guess 'bad' would have done - but nobody else is arguing.
Bishop
Mk III is still the 'high water mark' for Micras
Clarkey
Any sign of an E-power Micra?
MaxTorque
The interior is a copy of the Hyundai i10 and i20
www.autoexpress.co.uk/hyundai/i10/96864/hyundai-i10-2016-facelift-pictures#7
images.carandbike.com/car-images/gallery/hyundai/elite-i20/interior/hyundai-elite-i20-dashboard.jpg
We all know that the Japanese are not exactly the most original designers in the world but this is taking copying to a whole new level.
Mini2
You see that as copying?
Sorry but if you see that as 'copying' (the only similarity I can see with the i10 is the colour) then maybe you need introducing to the world of the Chinese copycats. I would also say that "the Japanese" ARE some of the most original designers in the world. You sound misinformed.
"Work hard and be nice to people"
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