Bringing Back the Vintage: Nissan's Electric Micra Revamp Unveiled - with a Twist of Renault's Renault 5
Nissan Revives Micra Model, Now Offered as an Electric Crossover Vehicle
Nissan is about to hit the streets with the latest iteration of their iconic Micra, this time electric and in a crossover style. There's a hint of Renault's Renault 5 in its DNA, but don't worry - the Micra's got its own quirks, like Nissan's exclusive E-Pedal.
The new Micra will make its debut towards the end of the year with two variants - one packing a 90kW/120PS motor, a 40kWh battery, and a range of 310 km, and another offering a 110kW/150PS motor, a 52kWh battery, and a whopping 408 km range. The battery sizes affect the DC charging power, with 80kW for the former and 100kW for the latter. Both versions are capable of charging at 11kW at a DC source.
Nissan's signature E-Pedal feature, known from other Nissan models, allows the driver to drive using just the accelerator pedal, with lifting the foot causing the car to brake to a stop. This technology, exclusive to the Micra at launch, will be coming to the Renault 5 with one of its next software updates.
The Micra aims to stand out from its Renault counterpart with a fresh design. Although the Renault's retro proportions and distinctive C-pillar pose a challenge, Nissan's designers have replaced all visible body parts to give the car a more crossover-ish look. The design shifts include mounting the hood higher and flatter, emphasizing the wheel arches with black plastic trim, and introducing LED rear lights inspired by the Micra III from 2003.
Inside, the Micra presents a modern and minimalist cockpit with a dual-screen setup, ambient lighting, 326L of boot space, and a Google-based infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Nissan will offer the Micra in three trim levels in Germany, with included features like heat pump for extra winter range, the ability to prepare the battery for fast charging, and bidirectional V2L charging for powering external devices via the vehicle's battery.
Competing with the Micra are other compact electric cars like the Renault 5, Mini EV, Fiat 500e and 600e, and various offerings from the Stellantis family, including the Opel Corsa E and the Peugeot E-208, all falling within the price range of around €26,000 to €36,000.
While the Renault 5's pricing details aren't available yet, both models are expected to target the same market segment, with the Micra projected to be under €25,000 in Ireland.
[1] ntv.de, jwu/sp-x
[2] nissannews.com
[3] nissan-global.com/EN/News/2022/06/en-nissan-e-micra-world-premiere-e-micra-is-more-electrifying-than-ever
[4] caradvice.com.au/1112948/2022-nissan-micra-e-set-for-fewer-button-batteries
[5] carscoops.com/2022/05/2022-nissan-micra-e-electric-compact-updates-revealed/
Enrichment Data Overview:
The 2023 Nissan Micra EV boasts the following features and specifications:
- Platform and Design: Built on the Renault-Nissan CMF-BEV platform, it features a unique crossover style with 14 color options.
- Battery Options: Available with 40 kWh and 52 kWh battery packs, providing a WLTP range of up to 310 km (192 miles) and 408 km (253 miles), respectively.
- Powertrain: Equipped with a single electric motor on the front axle, the smaller battery version delivers 121 horsepower.
- Interior and Technology: Features a dual-screen setup, ambient lighting, a spacious boot, Google-based infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and real-time navigation.
- Weight and Dimensions: Unladen weight of 1524 kg, wheelbase of 2540 mm, and a cargo volume of 326 L.
- Price Point: Expected to be under €25,000 in Ireland, competing with similar offerings from other brands within the same price range.
The Renault 5, another electric city car, shares some similarities with the Nissan Micra due to their common platform, offering competitive features, and pricing.
- The following is added in point 1 (b): The Nissan Micra, in its electric and crossover variant, is being compared to the Renault 5 in terms of industry, finance, transportation, and lifestyle, as they share the same Renault-Nissan CMF-BEV platform and aim for the same market segment.
- The automotive sector will see an electric-vehicle (EV) addition with the launch of the Nissan Micra, which will boast technology features such as the E-Pedal system, LED rear lights, a Google-based infotainment system, and a dual-screen setup.
- During their competition in the compact electric-vehicle market, the Nissan Micra and Renault 5 will offer different options in terms of battery sizes, with the Nissan featuring 40 kWh and 52 kWh options, and the Renault's pricing details yet to be announced.
- In the realm of technology and cars, the Nissan Micra's unique design, modern interior, and exclusive E-Pedal system will differentiate it from the retro-inspired Renault 5, with both models projected to fall within the price range of around €26,000 to €36,000.
