Nissan Micra: Its history in retrospect
Nissan recently unveiled the new Micra. This sixth generation of the small car is the first to be a fully electric car. Since 1982, the Micra, initially sold under the Datsun brand name, has become a multi-million-seller. Reason enough for us to review its long history.
In the late 1970s, Nissan planned to expand its product range by producing a car smaller than the Pulsar/Cherry to counter the success of the Toyota Starlet . Osamu Ito, an engineer who had previously worked for Prince, was appointed to lead the project. He was tasked with developing an economical, easy-to-drive, and attractive car with enough space for four adults.
With a view to global markets, Nissan commissioned Giorgetto Giugiaro 's renowned Italdesign studio to design the car. In October 1981, after three years of development, a working prototype, dubbed the NX-018, was presented in Tokyo.
Immediately after the show, Nissan launched a nationwide campaign, asking Japanese people to give the car a proper name. Enthusiasm was immense, and over the course of three months, thousands of suggestions poured in. After careful deliberation, they settled on a catchy name: March (as in English, "March").
The first March (internal code K10) was introduced to the Japanese market in October 1982 as a challenger to the Honda City, Daihatsu Charade, Suzuki Cultus/ Swift , and Toyota Starlet. In Europe, it launched in late 1982 as the Datsun Micra , and from 1984 onward, it was available only as a Nissan. Presumably, the Micra name was retained internationally due to the consistent pronunciation.
The 3.78-meter-long Micra boasts exceptionally low fuel consumption, made possible by its particularly low weight: just 630 kg in the early European version. This low weight target required minimal insulation, which meant that the early models were quite noisy.
Image by: Nissan
The body design was supposedly conceived by Giugiaro as a replacement for the Fiat 127 , but Fiat then adopted his more radical design for the Uno instead. A striking feature of early versions of the Micra is the bulge below the rear license plate, reminiscent of the early "swallowtail" Golf of 1974. Is it a coincidence that the Golf I was also originally a Giugiaro design?
The Micra is initially available with an all-aluminum MA10S SOHC engine with a displacement of 998 cc. European-market models produce 54 hp with a standard five-speed manual transmission, while a three-speed automatic transmission called "Nissanmatic" is available as an option.
The model was redesigned in June 1985 and was recognizable by a redesigned tailgate and larger, more three-dimensional taillights. At the same time, the first Micra Turbo/MA10ET debuted on the Japanese market, with Nissan adding a turbocharger and electronic fuel injection to the small 1.0-liter engine. This version was never sold in Europe, but the five-door hatchback was introduced there. 1989 saw the Micra's only major facelift, featuring larger bumpers.
In addition, a 1.2-liter engine with 54 hp (60 hp without a catalytic converter) is now available. The Super S trim is also introduced for the European market. It includes a factory body kit, racing seats, and a tachometer, and is available only in black, gray, white, and red.
Nissan Micra (K11, 1992-2002)3.72 meters long, 1.58 meters wide, and a 2.36 meter wheelbase: These are the key specifications of the second-generation Micra. With a base weight of 775 kilograms, the K11 is once again lightweight. The second-generation's looks are so balanced and pleasing that it has remained on the market for over ten years without major facelifts.
Image by: Nissan
The second-generation K11 was built in the United Kingdom, Japan, and Taiwan. It launched in Japan in January 1992 and in Europe in the fourth quarter of that year. It was powered by brand-new, all-aluminum 1.0-liter (CG10DE) and 1.3-liter (CG13DE) DOHC 16-valve engines producing 55 hp (40 kW) and 75 hp (55 kW), respectively, both with ECCS (Electronic Concentrated Control System) fuel injection.
It was a sensation at the time: In the spring of 1993, the then-new Nissan Micra (internally known as the K11) became the first Japanese car to win the title of "Car of the Year" in Europe. The Fiat Cinquecento and the Renault Safrane followed in second place. The victory was not undeserved: The K11 Micra was praised for its comfort, and it (and the Renault Clio) also marked the beginning of the trend toward higher-end small cars.
More about the Micra:
A diesel version with a 1.5-liter PSA engine (58 hp) was later offered in Europe as the Micra 1.5 D from 1998. At the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan presented a convertible (FHK11), but it was not sold until August 1997 in limited numbers for the Japanese domestic market (JDM) with an electric roof.
There is also a station wagon version in Japan called the March Box (WK11), introduced in November 1999, featuring a double folding rear seat and an automatic transmission with all-wheel drive. A facelifted version was introduced in Europe at the end of 1997 and was built from late 1997 to early 2003. The new, "fish-eyed" Micra K12 followed at the end of 2002.
Nissan Micra (K12, 2002-2010)Image by: Nissan
"Do you speak Micra?" was the slogan of the advertising campaign for the launch of the third generation (K12). An original artificial language turns the modern, yet once again retro-inspired Micra design into "modtro" for short. "Simpelligent" stands for simple yet clever solutions, such as the keyless entry system. By 2010, almost one million Micra (K12) had rolled off the production line in Europe alone; only the Micra C+C coupé-convertible, created by body specialist Karmann, was a flop.
Image by: Nissan
The fourth Micra (K13) was a completely different story, selling well in around 160 countries from 2010 onwards. Its rounded, friendly lines appealed particularly to women. Micra number five (K14) was built in Flins, France, the oldest Renault plant still in operation today. It is based on the Renault Clio. The partnership continues with the future Micra: it is now based on the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric .
Image by: Nissan
Image by: Nissan
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