Nissan Micra - A Cute Hatch

Nearly ten months ago, Nissan unveiled its first all-new hatch in India. The baby named Micra was a ray of hope for the Nissan India to make a difference in the Indian Automobile Industry. We can admit that Nissan succeeded in its venture by Micra’s decent sales. Since its conceptual launch is 2009, Micra’s some distinctive feature, may be in its interior-exterior styling, dynamics, etc. grabs my attention.

     


The Micra is based on the Nissan’s all new V-platform, a cost effective one. From what I saw, the build quality appears solid. It isn’t as instant-robust as the German cars, but doesn’t have the carefully engineered lightness that the Japanese cars do so well either. It takes a solid middle path. I don’t think this car is a styling icon. Nor do I think it needs to be that in this segment – although looking good always helps – just ask Angelina Jolie! Substantial, in fact, was the very word I kept returning to when I was trying to distill my impression of the Micra into one Word.

Its styling is quite simpler and familiar, not a sportier as Chevy Beat or VW Polo do. The Nissan has stayed away from edgy styling and Micra appeals more bulbous. The high-mounted head lamp cluster and two part front grille is very attractive as does the front underskirts and the rounded fog lamps. The side panels give a bigger appeal to the car from the front side view. Especially the tall-flat bonnet contrasting the sloping downward trend that most other hatches employ. The designers of the Micra were highly critical about the visibility and driver’s confidence. This gives drivers a clearer sense of size and make their ability to manage the Micra in traffic and parking much easier. The doors are good but looks familiar as does the handles and lines on the door. The arched profile of the cabin is something that is carried over from Nissan’s DNA – feels good. 

The rear gives me a retro-like styling with bulged and unconventional rear lamps and the panel lines unconventionally flowing towards the rear windshield in the door. This makes Micra slightly awkward, looking significantly more retro than the rest.

         

Overall, Micra’s styling looks retro, more than a bit. But it does claim to be ‘good’, ‘clear’ and ‘fun’. It comes across a cute and cheerful design which is unique and distinctive, will surely appeal to people who wants to be different, especially. Micra would probably be the car I would gift my beloved!