Oh, Canada, here's your next Nissan Micra
Hope you like the Versa, Americans. Because we're not getting this stylish new hatchback
No, it's still not coming to the US, but Canada, you've got reason to rejoice: the fifth-generation Nissan Micra just introduced at the Paris Motor Show is a surprisingly swanky little thing.
There was good reason to think that the dramatically flowing yet heavily creased styling of recent Nissan models like the Murano and Maxima wouldn't translate well to a subcompact, but the Japanese automaker's stylists have done an admirable job of grafting familial styling cues, such as the V-Motion grille, onto a small canvas.
Not only is the new Micra svelte, it's loaded with tech for such a small car, including available advanced driver assist systems such as intelligent emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, lane departure prevention and blind-spot warning.
The Micra looks surprisingly good with Nissan's signature V-Motion grille and swoopy sheet metal.
In addition, Nissan is touting a new six-speaker Bose audio system that includes a pair of driver's headrest speakers and a special virtual audio processor called PersonalSpace for better imaging. Audio selections (including those via Apple Carplay) will be accessed through a seven-inch touchscreen that also controls available features like navigation.
Available power figures to be more sufficient than stirring, with initial global engine choices including a 0.9-liter turbocharged three-cylinder gas engine or a 1.5-liter diesel, both offering 90 horsepower. A naturally aspirated 73-horse 1.0-liter four-cylinder will also be available at launch. Given that today's Canadian-market fourth-generation Micra offers a 1.6-liter four with 109 horsepower, I wouldn't be surprised to see a more powerful offering announced at a later date.
No word yet on when the Micra will be available for our Neighbors To The North, or how much it'll cost. If history is any guide, however, it figures to be cheap. Today's 2016 model starts at just $9,988 Canadian, undercutting America's larger but decidedly frumpier Versa sedan by the equivalent of thousands of dollars. Given the Micra lives at the (very) price-sensitive end of the new-car market, don't expect its MSRP to jump dramatically.