Statistics are not rocket science. The fact is that in the small car segment in Germany, almost three quarters use a petrol engine with 100 PS. In order to be able to bring as many of its vehicles as possible to this common denominator, Nissan now offers a 1,5 liter petrol engine with 90 for the new generation of the Micra under the 1,0 liter diesel and the turbo gasoline engine, both with 71 PS, for the three lower out of five equipment variants PS on. It is not a completely unknown quantity. As a so-called alliance engine, he already works in the Smart for Two and for One as well as in the Dacia Sandero. As an entry-level engine, it is said to make the smallest Nissan, which was launched in the fifth generation in April of this year, even more appetite.
Away from the googly eyes to a stylish look
The appetite should already be stimulated in view of the new sleek look of the Micra. Moving away from the rather boring attempt to have to please everyone optically as a "world car", the new Micra, designed for the European market and not built in India but by the alliance partner Renault in France, mutated into an eye catcher. This is particularly true of the striking green of our test car, in which the corners and edges of the body of the small car, which has grown to just under four meters and is six centimeters flatter, come into its own. The front no longer lives from droll googly eyes like the more rounded predecessor, but shows a much more aggressive look with slanted slotted headlights. The rear with the boomerang-shaped taillights is also jagged. The emphasized sportiness is not only better received by the male passenger.
The new entry-level engine is somewhat weak on the chest despite the 175 km / h top speed.
But, as expected, the equation that the Japanese, who is just over 1000 kilograms in weight with the small one-liter three-cylinder, can also be moved with sporty ambitions does not quite work out. In view of a torque of 95 Newtonmeter there is a little lack of liveliness. In addition, the small petrol engine acts rather grumpy, at least if you stop the sound from time to time with the Bose sound technology that is not otherwise found in this class. It lets us sink into a cloud of sound via loudspeakers integrated in the headrests and nips conversations, but also engine noises in the bud.
Anyone who wants to get out of the city will welcome the lane departure warning system
The new Micra is not only surprising in terms of media sound technology. Lane control is already included in the basic equipment, which corrects for cost reasons via (ESP-controlled) braking and not via (more expensive, since more complex) steering interventions. But at least, and anyone who wants to drive their small car not only in the city, but also on the highway, will appreciate it. There he will notice, however, that a sixth gear, which is not offered in any variant of the new Micra, could help to lower the noise level and fuel consumption. Instead of the specified 4,6 liters, our test car used more than six liters. Nissan calls 12 euros as the starting price for the Micra with the micromotor.
Text and photos. Solveig Grewe