Nissan has just dropped a bombshell that is about to shake up the European compact car market forever. The legendary Micra is making a grand comeback in its sixth incarnation, and it is an entirely electric car. After a long wait, European motorists will be able to get behind the wheel of this emission-free marvel later this year, laden with innovative features and design daring unlike ever before.
Audacious design meets SUV-inspired styling for urban adventures
The Micra EV boasts a totally new design, which combines high-end expression with some strong personality features. The car is designed at Nissan’s Design Europe location in London and boasts strong SUV-like qualities with seamless surfaces and some distinctive elements, along with a city-centered design with a new strong personality standpoint.
Every version of the Micra EV rolls out with aggressive 18-inch rims, available with three different designs matching the buyer’s level of grade selection. The ‘Active’ rim designs, ‘Iconic’ alloys, and ‘Sport’ rims add up to the strong road presence of the car. Black wheel rim trims add to this strong look, and ‘Iconic’ headlights come up with a ‘welcome wink’ function when unlocking and locking the car.
“With the design of the sixth generation of MICRA, we’ve emphasized everything for which MICRA has always stood, and we’ve turned a new page in the history of MICRA with its first electric version,” remarked Giovanny Arroba, Vice President – Nissan Design Europe.
Two battery options deliver impressive range and charging capabilities
Micra EV provides consumers with versatility because of the two different battery types available for different needs and preferences of drivers. The 40kWh model comes with 90kW power, 225 N · m torque, and 308km rugged range with a low weight of 1400kg. This is an entry-level model of Micra EV with high efficiency required for city commuting and other short journeys.
The larger 52kWh battery variant has a boost in performance and range capabilities, especially in demanding driving cycles. This variant produces 110kW with 245 N · m torque and a remarkably efficient 408km range, despite its 1524kg weight. It comes with rapid charging capabilities, including 100kW DC charging in the larger battery variant and 80kW charging in the smaller variant.
Fast charging technology makes 30-minute top-ups very convenient
Both versions of Micra EV support rapid charging from 15% to 80% in just 30 minutes, so long-range motoring is made easier for city-focused owners. A heat pump is standard with both battery options, together with sophisticated battery heating and cooling systems designed to optimize charging performance regardless of the ambient temperature conditions. The car’s Vehicle-to-Load function lets owners use the vehicle’s battery strength to charge other devices.
Interior elegance is a fusion of Japanese culture with technological features
The interior design of the Micra EV showcases Nissan’s philosophy of ‘simple, elegant design’, incorporating ‘subtle Japanese design elements.’The ‘hidden design features’ include a ‘molded outline of Mount Fuji’ embedded in the ‘storage compartment located between the front seats.’ This is a gesture to convey the brand’s affinity with ‘its Japanese roots.’
Dual 10.1-inch screens rule the technology settings in the car’s interior, one of which is placed behind the three-spoke steering wheel and can be configured according to requirements for displaying important information. The middle screen stretches over the entire width of the car’s dashboard, giving users convenient control over navigation, audio, and phone features. There are three different interior trims offered, namely Modern, Audacious, and Chill.
The new Micra EV is a major step forward in the evolution of this legendary car, which has successfully transitioned from gas-fueled vehicles to fully electric vehicles. Its ambitious design, range possibilities, and impressive technology make it a potential candidate for European city dwellers who want a zero-emission car without sacrificing design and functionality.
