Quite unlike anything else on the road, Nissan’s Micra is the model that brings a distinctively different and undeniably elegant look to the city car market.

With a zippy and economical 1.4-litre engine matched to a standard four-speed automatic the new five-door Micra sets the benchmark in the light car segment with a remarkable entry price of just $14,990*.

Packed with features, the Micra comes standard with air-conditioning, driver and front passenger airbags, anti-lock brakes, front active headrests, power windows, power mirrors, central locking with keyless entry, MP3 compatible single in-dash CD player and 60/40 split folding rear seat.

One option pack is available the $1700 Micra City Collection. The Micra City Collection includes dual front side airbags and dual curtain airbags, teamed with a MP3 compatible 6-stack CD player and 15-inch alloy wheels.

The 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine produces 72kW at 5,600rpm and 137Nm of torque at 3200rpm providing punchy performance and remarkable economy.

The all-aluminium, 16-valve twin cam engine feature Nissan’s Variable Valve Timing control system, and a ‘Drive-by-Wire’ electronic throttle, while extensive use of low friction moving parts and lightweight pistons improve not only the levels of NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) but also fuel consumption.

The standard advanced, electronically controlled four-speed automatic with extended slip lock-up control offers smoothness, economy and above all response, in keeping with Micra’s fun to drive philosophy.

Helping the new Micra stand out from the crowd is its dramatic yet chic styling which is complimented by a bold choice of complementary colours, including great new additions to the Nissan range such as Paris Blue, London Rose and Vienna Garnet.

A truly distinctive style marks the new Micra out as something different. The design language involves the use of well defined volumes and arched lines, resulting in a muscular but reassuring and cosy car. Principle ‘arch’ design cues include a dominant shoulder line which is echoed in the Micra’s rounded roofline.

The high roof means passengers sit in a more upright position which not only improves comfort but also permits greater luggage space. The driver also benefits from a high driving position for greater visibility.

Short body overhangs front and rear and high mounted ovoid headlamps with a clever illuminated ‘bubble’ combined with the Micra’s class-leading turning circle of just 8.8 metres, the Micra is as user friendly on the road as it is in the cabin.

Micra also has speed sensitive electric power steering designed to offer maximum assistance at parking speeds but which gradually decreases as speeds rise to give greater steering feel. It provides a highly responsive car that is agile in city driving and stable for open road cruising.

Central to the Micra’s ethos is its easy and fun to drive nature which means crisp and nimble handling, best manoeuvrability and good levels of comfort and quietness.

A key element in achieving this is the Micra’s B-platform, designed jointly with alliance partner Renault, and which delivers a class-leading chassis in the most cost-effective way possible.

The front suspension features a sub-frame mounted strut-type system with combined suspension upright/coil spring assemblies and a forward lower link. The front anti-roll bar is attached directly to the strut assembly for more effective control of body roll under cornering.

The sub-frame itself uses compliant rubber mounts to isolate road noise and vibration from the platform itself, improving both general refinement and ride comfort.

At the rear, is a twist beam suspension system with trailing arm location and separate coil springs and damper units. The beam design and the location of the damper units reduce friction in the rear suspension system to enhance ride comfort.

Nissan’s marketing general manager, Ross Booth, believes the Micra is the perfect car for the city market.

“The Nissan Micra not only stands out from the crowd but its funky looks, great driving characteristics and incredible packaging give it the edge over its nearest competitors,” said Mr Booth.

The new plans will further compliment the original agreement put in place in April 2002, which includes the OEM supply of Suzuki mini cars to Nissan and the supply of automatic transmissions to Suzuki through Nissan’s affiliate company Jatco, Ltd.

The two companies will now expand their business collaboration, after agreeing to the following:

• To extend cross supply of vehicles in Japan
• At the end of 2006, both manufacturers will supply to each other a vehicle on an OEM basis, Nissan will supply a minivan to Suzuki, while Suzuki will provide a mini-vehicle to Nissan. Both products are intended for the Japanese market only.
• To begin a cross supply of vehicles in overseas markets From 2008, Nissan will supply a compact pick up truck to Suzuki on an OEM basis for sale in the North America market. Suzuki will provide a new A-segment vehicle for Nissan on an OEM basis for the European market.
• To share manufacturing capacity at each others overseas facilities Nissan and Suzuki will begin a manufacturing collaboration in new emerging markets by sharing their respective manufacturing facilities, this activity will start at Suzuki’s plant in India.

The expansion of the business collaboration with Nissan will further strengthen Suzuki’s global competitiveness, and will ensure Suzuki achieves its midterm five year business plan by complementing its product portfolio in new segments.

The relationship with Nissan, will not change Suzuki’s alliance partnership with General Motors.

Nissan Moco

The Moco is built for Nissan by Suzuki and is based apon their MR Wagon. The car features inovative features like fold flat rear and fron passenger seats to give it a better cargo area, also the fron seat base folds forward to reveal a large hidden storage bin.

The Moco / Mr Wagon are powered by a 660cc engine via a column shift auto transmission. There is not alot of width in the small four seater hence the desision to place the shift lever on the steering column, future version see the shift lever move to a dash mounted type.  

The main diferences between the two cars are badging and a diferent front and rear light treatment, A turbo sporty version is also available from both Suzuki and Nissan.

Nissan S Cargo

The design of the S Cargo is fashioned after the popular French Citroen 2CV. The 2cv was often referred to as the “tin snail” hence the pun with the name S Cargo referencing the french word for snail “escargot”.  

There were 4 pike cars altogether starting with the Mini inspired Be-1, the jeep/mini crossover the Pao, the Citroen 2cv inspired Scargo and finally the Figaro. Designed by Shoji Takahashi he was quoted that the inspiration of the pike cars came from the swatch watch, where you can make a limited highly fashionable car based around the same mechanicals.

Powered by a 1.5 Litre engine the S Cargo came with a 3 speed auto, air conditioning, power steering, power windows, central locking and removable rear seats. The S Cargo has been a popular 2nd Hand export from japan to all over the world as their large flat sides and quirky styling makes it the perfect promotional vehicle.

Nissan Figaro

Only 20000 Figaro’s were built, it was so sort after when it was released you had to go into a lottery to have a chance of buying one. Second hand Figero’s have made their way to Europe New Zealand and Australia and are starting to enjoy as much popularity as the more well known Scargo that was built at the same factory using the same concept of a specialist low volume production car based on the Nissan Micra.

There were 4 pike cars altogether starting with the Mini inspired Be-1, the jeep/mini crossover the Pao, the Citroen 2cv inspired Scargo and finally the Figaro. Designed by Shoji Takahashi he was quoted that the inspiration of the pike cars came from the swatch watch, where you can make a limited highly fashionable car based around the same mechanicals.

Powered by a 1 litre turbo the Figaro came with air conditioning, power steering, power windows, fold down roof and a retro bakelite style CD cassette player. The Figaro was only available in an automatic, it was sold in four pastel colors all with a white roof, the majority of new Figaro owners were young Japanese woman who always crave the latest fashion accessory.