LIFE BEGINS AS MICRA REACHES A MILESTONE
Nissan Micra celebrates three decades at the top with a sophisticated special version
• Exclusive 30th anniversary edition
• Special features and badging
• Powered by frugal 80PS low emission engine
• More than six million Micras produced world-wide to date
ROLLE, Switzerland (10 January, 2013) - Life begins at 30, or so the saying goes. To mark this up-coming landmark birthday Nissan has created a special version of its best-selling city car, the Micra.
Micra celebrates its 30th anniversary with a stylish look to match its dynamic appeal. Based on the entry-level Visia version, Micra 30 has smart seven-spoke 15-inch alloy wheels as standard while a roof spoiler borrowed from the range-topping DIG-S version sets off the familiar silhouette. Body coloured door handles and mirrors are also standard.
Following the lead set by the highly popular Micra ELLE special version, launched at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, Micra 30 identifies itself with discreet badging on the wings and tailgate and on the dashboard.
"Many women approach their 30th birthday with some trepidation but Micra is taking this milestone in its stride. In fact, Micra 30's contemporary elegance makes it the ideal partner for today's clever and sophisticated woman-about-town," said Geraldine Ingham, Chief Marketing Manager for Nissan in Europe.
Micra 30 is powered by Nissan's 1.2-litre 80PS naturally aspirated three-cylinder petrol engine with emissions low enough to qualify for Nissan's ‘Pure Drive' badge, given only to the cleanest cars in Nissan's line-up. Advanced CVT transmission is available as an option.
Micra is built on Nissan's lightweight V (for versatile) platform, which incorporates greater rigidity for better handling, safety and refinement.
Standard features include electric speed-sensitive power steering, electric front windows and a full complement of safety equipment including ESP, driver and passenger airbags as well as side and curtain airbags. Manual air conditioning is an option.
Micra 30 was launched today at the Brussels Motor Show with sales starting in February.
0-6 million in 30 years
Micra - also known in some markets as Nissan March - was launched in Europe in 1983, since then more than six million examples have been built worldwide.
Over the past three decades, Micra has set the industry standard for superminis and, in 1993, became the first Japanese-badged car to win the highly coveted European Car of the Year Award (CoTY).
The first version (known internally as K10) was launched in Japan in late 1982 arriving in Europe in the early part of 1983. It was replaced in 1992 by the CoTY-winning second generation K11.
Like its predecessor, the K11 lasted for a full decade until it was replaced in 2002 by the K12 third generation Micra, which was produced as a three or five-door hatchback and as the Micra C+C coupé/convertible with a folding metal hardtop.
The current, fourth generation K13 model was introduced in 2010 as a true global car. It is built in four different countries - Thailand, Mexico, China and India - with India supplying cars for every European market. In all, Micra/March is sold in 56 countries globally.
About Nissan in Europe
What makes Nissan stand out?
Our belief is that everything we do needs to drive innovation and excitement for everyone: we bring unexpected solutions that deliver smart customer benefits and always generate surprise and exhilaration for as many people as possible.
We invented the crossover with Nissan Qashqai and added excitement to small cars with Nissan Juke. We are about innovative ideas that make future technologies available today with Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades. When we think about performance, we see the opportunity to reach a wider audience - making performance truly accessible - and to challenge conventions. This is why on top of conceiving the accessible supercar Nissan GT-R we have developed the Nissan DeltaWing, a ground-breaking approach to Endurance racing reframing Motorsport conventions.
Nissan benefits from one of the most comprehensive European presences of any overseas manufacturer, employing more than 14,500 staff across locally-based design, research & development, manufacturing, logistics and sales & marketing operations. Last year Nissan plants in the UK, Spain and Russia produced 677,000 vehicles, offering 24 diverse and innovative products for sale in Europe today.
All this only reinforces Nissan's clear ambition to become the number one Asian brand in Europe.
