Nissan Micra 4th generation.

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Developed and built on the new V-platform
New Nissan Micra: Doing basics well and keeping it simple

The Nissan Micra 4th generation: front view.

The new Micra's dimensions are ideal for citiy motoring.

March 2010 – Nissan Europe:

Entering its fourth generation, Nissan's Micra has consistently been a big success for Nissan in Japan, Europe and other strategic markets, gaining a reputation as a reliable, stylish, accessible compact car enjoyed by a wide cross-section of customers.

Developed and built on Nissan's all-new V-platform, which was developed under a comprehensive new production engineering process, the new Micra (known as March in Japan) was designed and tested in Japan to be built in at least four overseas locations, and fine-tuned to meet the differing tastes and needs of customers in 160 countries worldwide.

Breaking with traditions that focused on launching production in established markets like Europe and Japan, Nissan will base production of the new Micra at overseas manufacturing sites such as Thailand, India, Mexico and China. Sales will begin in Thailand in March, with European sales starting in the autumn.


New Micra specifications

Length	3780 mm
Width	1665 mm
Height	1530 mm
Wheelbase	2450 mm
Kerb weight	945 kgs
Fuel tank	41 litres

This project was borne out of two critical factors; growing customer needs for - and access to - compact cars in those emerging markets and recognition that Nissan has not had a strong presence in these segments which occupy more than 20 per cent of the world market. Such a global strategy gives Nissan an opportunity to utilize its global reach and technical capabilities.

Equally, it is key that in Europe and Japan (where it is sold under the name March), Micra's history and heritage is built upon. It has deservedly established a reputation for being easy to own and run, as well as a pleasure to drive.

In short, Micra has always made an asset of doing the basic things well and keeping it simple - values that remain at the heart of the new Micra.

The Nissan Micra 4th generation: back view.

The classic distinctive arched side window line.

Collaborating closely with engineers from the early stages of the design process, Associate Product Chief Designer, Makoto Yamane, who penned cars like the GT-R concept of 2001 and Qashqai concept car from 2004, implemented this project's design directives by employing three distinct themes: an internationally appealing design; developing a compact and robust body; and creating a more luxurious look and feel that elevated the sense of status.

He stresses that the nose section is shaped with a sculptured, three-dimensional look that culminates in a cleverly designed grille which adds to the car's on-road presence.

The new Micra also retains its classic, distinctive arched side window line - something that is central to its heritage and appeal in Europe and Japan.

Design

The unique design features of this car, including its double-layer integrated grille, meet the company's requirements to deliver a stylish, high quality vehicle to the global marketplace.

The Nissan Micra 4th generation.

The redesigned underbody improves airflow.

Going against the prevailing trend in new city cars, Micra has retained its compact dimensions, making it ideal for city motoring.

Overall dimensions are similar to the current model, with an increase of only 61mm to 3780 mm, width at 1665 mm (+5mm) and height of 1530 (-10mm).

And like the existing Micra, the wheel-at-each-corner stance is the key to its spacious interior, giving a wheelbase of 2450 mm, an increase of 20mm.

The slight increase in width and small reduction in height reinforce its robust stance, with added benefits of reduced roll during cornering.

Meanwhile the sleek, new roof design and subtle built-in lip spoiler combine to minimize drag, thus improving fuel economy and reducing emissions.

Collaborating with this clever roof design, the underbody has been redesigned to improve airflow and maximize downforce. In conjunction with the car's superb suspension system, these new aero-effects work to significantly lift high-speed stability.

Yamane's aerodynamic achievements were a direct result of his design team's early collaboration with engineers.

Interior

The Nissan Micra 4th generation: interior.

‘Connected cocoon' design with a ‘twin bubble' theme.

Yamane's team worked tirelessly to translate the exterior design flair and theme inside the Micra as well.

Aiming to create the same sense of exterior style inside the car, Nissan has employed a ‘connected cocoon' design featuring a dashboard design which takes on a ‘twin bubble' theme.

This refers to the circular instrumentation binnacle and the similarly shaped glovebox compartment on the passenger side, making the cabin look modern and stylish.

The three-pronged meter layout - speedo, tacho and incidentals - on the dashboard is as easy to read and operate as the controls on the centre console which includes climate control and audio.

A double-layered glovebox on the front passenger side is complemented by a large upper storage area and other small storage pockets located throughout the car, including the centre console and doors.

The Nissan Micra 4th generation: dashboard details.

Three-pronged meter layout - speedo, tacho and incidentals.

Another strategic benefit of working with the engineering department from the very start was two-pronged; Yamane's team was able to reduce the number of parts while improving quality levels at the same time.

This new compact car has around 18 per cent fewer components than Nissan's similar-sized small cars. Its dashboard assembly is made up of 28 parts instead of over 50 found on a similar-sized model.

Yamane explains Nissan's meticulous approach to creating a sophisticated, highly rigid, athletic design that epitomizes stability on road, but masterfully reduces unwanted weight at the same time. "Rather than simply stripping parts off, we did two things. One was to physically integrate two parts into one; the other was to integrate the different functions of two parts, or more, into one. This had the effect of raising quality levels while reducing design complexity and curb weight. This was critical to achieve better fuel economy and lower emissions."

Suspension

Not satisfied merely improving performance levels, Nissan engineers excelled in developing ride and handling characteristics which combine agility, refinement and poise.

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Thanks to the rigidity of the all-new V-platform, the suspension design can work more efficiently from a solid basis, meaning steering is accurate, precise and provides good feel and turn-in. Equally, all the weight saving initiatives mean that braking results in less dive, increasing stability and driver confidence.

The new Micra's suspension has been designed to be both compact, minimising intrusion at the rear for optimum trunk space, but not at the expense of its effectiveness. Thanks to the overall efforts to control the car's weight, the suspension therefore has an easier job, with less mass to control.

Particular attention has been paid to bump absorption, meaning the Micra will ride serenely over challenging road surfaces, minimising shocks and vibrations, with well controlled secondary ride comfort, meaning wallow and float never enter the equation.

But, the Micra's characteristic agility, manoeuvrability and responsiveness have been preserved - largely thanks to the chassis' light weight - so dynamic driving delivers positive responses, and roll, pitch and dive are all kept to a minimum thanks to finely honed spring and damper rates.

NVH

Engineers have also worked hard to minimise intrusion into the cabin of Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH), maintaining occupant comfort levels.

This translates into a quieter cabin where conversation is possible, even when in the upper reaches of the Micra's speed range.

This is key for several markets in Europe where it is common to drive at speeds approaching 170 km/h, something the car must be able to handle confidently and comfortably.

Engines

Globally, several different engines are available according to local tastes and the role Micra will play in the range.

In Europe, a simple engine line-up sees just two engine options - both are variations on Nissan's all-new HR12 1.2-litre petrol three cylinder engine. Inheriting its DNA from the HR16 4-cylinder engine found in Note and Qashqai, the new engine employs valve-timing control (VTC). Power is rated at 59kW (80PS), while torque output is 108Nm. CO2 for this version will be excellent for a base petrol engine, with only 115g/km.

The Nissan Micra 4th generation: detail.

Centre console with climate control, audio and navigation.

In addition to the new normally aspirated engine, Nissan will also offer a supercharged 1.2-litre direct injection iteration with start-stop system as standard in Europe later on. These technological innovations - stop-start reduces CO2 by six per cent - combine to offer spirited performance, with outputs of 72kW (98PS) and 142Nm of torque, but emissions will be 95g/km, an exceptional achievement for a petrol engine.

Furthermore, Micra is anticipated to lead in terms of low emissions but without customers having to pay a premium, which is the norm in Europe. Combine that with the fact that in some European countries, such low emissions qualify for tax breaks and even rebates and the new Micra will sit on its own in the market as being an accessible low-emitter.

Both engine options in Europe can be specified with either a 5-speed manual gearbox, which has a short, direct throw, or Nissan's highly advanced Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

CVT

Employing a world-first sub-planetary gear, allowing wider gear ratios, this CVT is fitted with a smaller pulley making it 10 per cent lighter than any previous Nissan CVT. It is also more efficient and also more compact.

This wider gear coverage enables the new 1.2-litre engine to boost the economy as well as acceleration performance.

Equipment

In contrast to its high speed capability, the car also has superb visibility and a class-topping turning radius of 4.5m and several new technologies that assist with minimizing CO2 emissions and mileage while at the same time making parking easier.

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Globally, equipment levels differ by market, but the new Micra is available with some key technological innovations which are designed to simplify day-to-day life for its owners.

The new Micra is available with reversing sensors and a new ‘parking space measurement' (PSM) device with three skill levels (amateur, normal and expert) to lessen the burden of parking in tight spaces - a unique feature in this segment, and likely to be a popular innovation in Europe where ‘touch parking' is a way of life.

It also offers an Intelligent Key, Nissan Connect, Nissan's accessible touch-screen combined audio and satellite navigation system, glass roof, automatic wipers, speed sensitive volume on the audio, a push button start-stop system in addition to a drive computer which supplies drivers with real time fuel economy information, cruising range and outside temperature.

On the security side, the car is also fitted with a speed-sensitive automatic door locking system.

Safety

In Nissan's quest to develop a platform for the new Micra that is rigid, yet light, a great deal of attention was paid to providing a strong structure in which occupants would be well protected in the event of an impact.

The car is designed to absorb the forces of an impact at front, thanks to the sophisticated crumple zone at the front of the car, while maintaining the integrity of the cabin thanks to a highly reinforced body shell.

The Nissan Micra 4th generation.

New Micra will be available with reversing sensors and a new ‘parking space measurement' device with three skill levels.

While exact specification and equipment levels will vary globally, in Europe the new Micra is equipped as standard with anti-lock brakes, dual front airbags, curtain and side airbags, as well as pretensioner seatbelts.

Active safety is reinforced with the fitment of anti-lock brakes and Electronic Stability Programme, which intervenes to cut power and even brakes individual wheels when sensors detect that stability or grip is critical.

Nissan's commitment to reducing the impact of its products and activities can be clearly seen in the fact that 98 per cent of the materials used in Micra's construction are recyclable - a factor which is likely to be increasingly important as legislators throughout the world consider steps to protect the environment.

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To create this ground-breaking Micra, Nissan took into account the results of its global research, including Kato's conclusions, to develop the new model at its Global Production Engineering Centre, or GPEC, located in Zama, Japan.

Nissan invited engineers from overseas plants to learn the state-of-the-art Nissan Production Way at GPEC before sending them back to their respective countries with Japanese support staff to assist in start-up procedures and execution of assembly lines.

In this way, Nissan maintained its high quality levels while optimizing local production methods with localization rates of over 85 per cent, a critical factor in building a world-class, competitive car.