Nissan have gone so far as to sports-tune a lowly Micra (known as the Nissan March in other markets around the world) model. It will make a Japanese sales debut later this year.
The newly facelifted 2013 Micra hatch shares a nearly identical look to the March Nismo Concept unveiled last year and Nissan are going so far as to unleash two versions of the little hatch. There will be the entry-level Nismo and them an even sharper Nismo S ‘flagship’. Wow.
The basic Micra Nismo is powered by the regular model’s 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, offering just 58kW of power. More of a styling exercise, the first Micra Nismo gets a full sports body-kit with new bumpers and skirts, Nismo badging and 16-inch alloy wheels. There’s also a sports-tuned electric power steering setup.
Both models will be fitted with Nismo-developed aero parts such as front and rear diffuser, rear spoiler, red door mirrors, side sills and Nismo badging. Inside, custom sports seats draped in suede and leather as well as the sports steering wheel and custom red stitching signify this as the Nismo model. Special Yamaha performance dampers complete the transition from standard car to Nismo model.
But hold your horses folks, because then you get the Micra Nismo S. This is powered by Nissan’s same 1.5-litre engine and power is boosted from 73 kW and 137 Nm of torque to a quite fruity 85 kW and 156 Nm of torque. The Nismo S gets the same styling kit, while a five-speed manual is the sole transmission choice. There’s also an upgraded brakes package and a sports exhaust system. Tempted? We aren’t either, thankfully it isn’t coming to South Africa.
