Nissan's first entry in the highly competitive B segment of the South African car market is celebrating its first birthday with a limited Special Edition Micra fresh out of the Sunderland plant in the UK. These funky models are set to hit the streets in October 2005.
The Micra Special Edition is based on the existing Elegance model with even more value added. Its accessories were especially chosen to enhance its sportiness and appeal to the young, first time new car buyers who have made Micra their own.
A sun-roof puts Micra's sporty look in the spotlight and is further accentuated by stylish 15-inch alloy wheels, a delicious Ice Blue and Chocolate interior trim option and a 6-CD front loader audio system.
Four new exterior paint colour options are added to the Micra range and are being introduced with the Special Edition. They are Caffe Latte, Cocoon Green, Naïve Blue and Emotion Red.
The market value of the added items (sunroof and wheels) is R9 250, but the added cost to the consumer of the total package is just R4 750, making the Micra Special Edition value packed at a price of R137 247 including VAT.
The Micra Special Edition remains the distinctive-looking, good value-for-money, fun way to travel that has characterised the car that boasts the smallest turning circle in its class. For the record, it can turn around in just 9,2 metres.
Its claim to uniqueness its distinctive shape and looks and retro control knobs on the wide dash.
At the same time as the introduction of the Special Edition, the Micra range has undergone exterior and interior styling enhancements and quality improvements.
The most obvious external changes are a revised grille that incorporates a longer horizontal silver bar in front of a honeycomb mesh, while grille-mounted front direction indicators are better integrated with clear glass rather than amber lenses. The lower portion of the front bumper assembly has also been enhanced – it has a more rounded opening and the overall design of the bumper is curvier with integrated rubbing strips.
But the more significant changes can be found in the detail. Major programmes have been undertaken to improve still further the car's refinement levels with better sound proofing and extra measures taken to isolate noise from the engine compartment. The enhancements even extend to thicker door glass to reduce wind and traffic noise.
There's greater comfort on offer with more supportive seats while the revised dashboard includes a new trip computer housed within the instrument panel rather than the centre console: this not only makes the information easier to access but also permits the addition of an in-dash six disc CD-changer in the centre console with no less than six speakers (Elegance model only). The subtly redesigned instrumentation features stylish silver dial surrounds.
The Elegance model now has an auto up-down power window on the driver's side and both models have passenger airbag cut-off switches.
Quality refreshments take the form of improvements to the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) and better bumper rigidity.
The addition of rear wheel arch liners conceals the exhaust, bumper/underbody structure and fuel feed hose. A higher density luggage area carpet contributes to improved NVH.
The stylish and uniquely shaped five-door hatchback has gathered its own, youthful fan base. Throw in Micra's proven fuel efficiency and driveability and you have a compact and desirable package.
Go to the Nissan website www.nissan.co.za to click through to a test drive form and more information on the Micra Special Edition and the enhanced Micra range, or call 0800NISSAN.
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