Micra is back... but as an EV: Nissan's supermini enters an electric era after 40 years on sale in Britain
While the new EV might feature a name Britons are familiar with, it will be very different to the car we've known for four decades.
A week after the Japanese auto giant simultaneously announced its disastrous 2024-25 financial results - posting a £3.8billion loss - and a £1.3billion-saving recovery strategy to lift it out of the red, it has presented a first-look at its new Micra.
It is one of three new EVs scheduled for release before the end of next year, meaning it bears the weight of expectation and success to keep Nissan ticking over.
The nameplate is one Britons typically know as a cheap, easy-to-drive town runaround that's ideal for learners and loved by older drivers since it debuted in 1983.
And it might look very familiar to some drivers - especially EV enthusiasts. That's because it shares parts with a Renault sister model that many believe is the best electric car on the market right now...
Nissan Micra is back... but not as you know it: The sixth generation of the Japanese car giant's compact hatchback has been unveiled... and it is exclusively electric
Nissan UK unveiled its new Micra to a select few members of the press on Tuesday.
It will see the return of a popular nameplate after the previous (sixth) generation Micra ceased production in the middle of 2023.
It kickstarts the Japanese brand's new electric line-up which will also include a revised Leaf and a new Juke EV – both of which will be built in Sunderland before the end of next year - and an unspecified battery-powered city car to follow later.
In a blow to Sunderland in 2010, Nissan shifted production of the K13 fourth-generation Micra (pictured) to India
History of the Nissan Micra
The Micra has been around since 1982, and while it didn't set the world on fire it was known for being reliable and versatile.
The first-generation car - arriving in the UK in 1983 - was considered marvelously contemporary, and with multiple engines including a 1.2-litre option and manual and automatic gearboxes it was an immediate hit with learner drivers in particular.
The Mk2 Micra – k11 - arrived in 1992, with new engines, and exciting new options like power steering, ABS, and electric windows.
A facelift arrived in 1997 including a refreshed interior, and this was one of the best-selling Micras in the UK.
The third generation, K12, came in 2002 and brought the bubble look that many younger drivers will think of when they hear the name.
It's the version that inspires today's new EV Micra, with round headlights, and bulbous proportions. It had the most body styles of any Micra including the 2005 C+C (Coupe + Convertible) that referenced the Figaro.
Before Micra production wrapped up, the fourth gen K13 launched in 2010, and the fifth iteration arrived in 2016. It was more angular, and sleeker with sharper lines and a premium interior.
Over six million Micras have sold globally.
Micra 'reborn' for an EV generation
While the new electric Micra has plenty of nods to models that preceded it, the car maker describes it as a 'reborn Micra' and 'not a retro design'.
However, Nissan design manager Bert Dehaes says the new Micra has 'timeless qualities' and 'iconic signatures' from Micras of old, particularly the K12 (on sale between 2002 and 2010) that 'translate to a new generation'.
This includes inspiration for the 'bug eye' front headlights and 'gelato scoop' cut out that links the front and rear doors.
But arguably the biggest change is that the Micra is much bigger than before in the hope of attracting more family buyers.
Micra project manager Elodie Sawruk doubled down on the Micra as now being a 'solid, robust SUV looking car' with 'an iconic heritage inspired design' just with 'modern surprises'.
Externally, the Micra is 11cm longer than the R5. It is also chunkier, with a wider stance and side cladding that gives it an SUV look
Is it just a rebodied Renault 5?
With Nissan's long-running partnership with the French Renault Group, it's great surprise that Micra will be produced on a shared platform to keep costs down.
The good news is that it will be based on what is the standout electric car in 2025.
Nissan confirmed it is indeed very similar to the new Renault 5 E-Tech that's captured the minds of both seasoned car testers and the general public, who have lapped up its funky design and brilliant driving characteristics.
Sawruk said that it uses the R5 as a 'base car' but 'isn't replicating' its French sibling.
That said, the interior does feel cut and paste; it uses the same fabrics, 10-inch dual screens (on higher trims, seven and 10-inch on lower trims) and shares the same electronic software.
However, there are a few Mount Fiji graphics dotted around the cabin to remind customers that they're driving a Nissan.
Externally, the Micra is some 11cm longer than its French counterpart. It is also chunkier, with a wider stance and side cladding that gives it an SUV look. All the body panels are bespoke for the Micra too.
But the biggest similarity to the R5 is the drivetrain...
Nissan's charging time estimations from 15 to 80 per cent are currently three hours and 55 minutes for the 40kWh Micra on a 7.4kW AC charger, and five hours and 10 minutes for the 52kWh battery
Battery, range, performance and charging
The new Micra will come with the option of a 40kWh or 52kWh battery. These are claimed to provide 192 and 253 miles of range on a single charge respectively.
The smaller battery unit is linked to an e-motor delivering 120hp, while the larger pack is married to a 150hp electric drive system: like-for-like stats with the R5.
The smaller battery is available with the entry and mid Engage and Advance trims, while the 52kWh larger battery gets the mid and range-topping Evolve specification.
Nissan estimates charging from 15 to 80 per cent to take three hours and 55 minutes for the 40kWh Micra on a 7.4kW AC charger, and five hours and 10 minutes for the 52kWh battery.
Using a 11kW device, it will charge from 15 to 80 per cent in two hours and 35 minutes or three hours and 15 minutes respectively.
The 40kWh can DC fast charge up to 80kW while the 52kWh version can go up to 100kW which will deliver 15 to 80 per cent charge in 25 minutes or 30 minutes.
Practicality, interior choices and tech
While Micra has grown in dimensions, it's certainly not a big car - so don't expect a boot of epic proportions.
It has a respectable 326-litre boot – again the same as the R5 – and 1,106 litres with all the seats down. The seats split 60/40 as well.
It means the luggage capacity is greater than the new Hyundai Inster, which has a cargo space of between 280 litres and 351 litres, and Citroen e-C3's 310-litre offering.
There's no 'froot' (a front boot) up front, but Nissan has provided a 27-litre under floor storage area in the back to house the charging cables when not in use.
Having sat in the Micra, we can tell you that the interior room isn't all that capacious; there was enough rear headroom for us (I'm 5'3) but a 5'11 colleague had his hair pressed firmly into the roof lining.
That said, it is adequately proportioned for kids to travel in the back on longer journeys.
The Micra comes with Google Built-In which gives you Maps, the Play Store and Google Assistant along with a host of apps, putting less demand on your smartphone.
The Engage trim has a seven-inch digital driver screen and a 10.1-inch display touchscreen. The Advance and Evolve trims have two 10.1-inch screens.
Again, this is all very Renault 5, but that's gone down a treat so far with customers.
New Nissan managing director James Taylor said that by using an established nameplate, Nissan can entice people into EVs as there is a 'familiarity there'. Will this tactic work on you?
Pricing – how much will the Micra cost?
We pressed and pressed but Nissan has refrained from revealing the Micra's price.
However, the wide bet is that it will ring in around the same as the Renault 5 E-Tech.
The R5 starts at £22,995.
Pricing and full technical confirmation is expected soon with first drives in September.
New Leaf and Juke EVs a lifeline for Sunderland car factory
Nissan's new managing director, James Taylor, confirmed there will be four new Nissan EVs as well as new e-Power hybrid models launching in the next two years.
While the Micra will be made in France alongside the Renault 5, the Leaf and Juke EV are planned for production in Sunderland.
Taylor says this is a 'fantastic opportunity to increase [Nissan's] product offer, attract new customers and grow the brand in the UK'.
The Micra was designed by the company's development division in London, further promoting UK jobs.
Taylor told press at the launch that using established nameplates helps manufacturers like Nissan entice people into EVs, as there is a 'familiarity there'.
He noted as well that the SEO search for the Leaf is still off the charts despite it currently being discontinued – something for marketing to tap into.
Nissan's obviously hoping that it can capitalise on the same success as other manufacturers bringing back nameplates from the past.
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