Micra is again… however as an EV: Nissan’s supermini enters an electrical technology after 40 years on sale in Britain

Nissan has equipped new main points of its drawing close compact electrical automobile it hopes will lend a hand alternate its fortunes within the wake of its multi-billion-pound cost-saving power to avoid wasting the corporate.

While the brand new EV may characteristic a reputation Britons are accustomed to, it’s going to be very other to the automobile we have recognized for 4 a long time.

Per week after the Japanese auto large concurrently introduced its disastrous 2024-25 monetary effects – posting a £3.8billion loss – and a £1.3billion-saving restoration way to raise it out of the crimson, it has offered a first-look at its new Micra.

It is one in all 3 new EVs scheduled for unlock earlier than the top of subsequent 12 months, which means it bears the burden of expectation and good fortune to stay Nissan ticking over. 

The nameplate is one Britons usually know as an inexpensive, easy-to-drive the town runaround that is supreme for beginners and liked by means of older drivers because it debuted in 1983.

And this new one will have to appearance very acquainted – particularly EV fans. That’s as it stocks portions with a Renault sister type that many consider is the most efficient electrical automotive available on the market at this time…

Nissan UK unveiled its new Micra to a make a choice few participants of the click on Tuesday.

It will see the go back of a well-liked nameplate after the former (6th) technology Micra ceased manufacturing in the midst of 2023.

It kickstarts the Japanese emblem’s new electrical line-up which may also come with a revised Leaf and a brand new Juke EV – either one of which can be inbuilt Sunderland earlier than the top of subsequent 12 months – and an unspecified battery-powered town automotive to apply later.

The Mk1 Micra arrived in 1983. While moderately common, it was once outshone by means of competitors of the technology, together with the Ford Fiesta

The UK’s love affair with Micra truly started with the second-generation Ok11 automotive, which emerged in 1992 and was once most effective the second one Nissan to be assembled on the Sunderland plant 

Again, constructed on the Sunderland manufacturing facility, the Ok12 third-generation Nissan Micra hit showrooms in 2002. It is that this automotive that the brand new EV type stocks a lot of its likeness

In a blow to Sunderland in 2010, Nissan shifted manufacturing of the Ok13 fourth-generation Micra (pictured) to India

The previous-generation Micra was once produced in partnership with Renault the usage of the similar platform because the Clio. It was once on sale in Britain from 2016 however was once deleted from the variability in 2023

This 6th technology of the Micra follows within the footsteps of its predecessor in that it’s produced on a shared platform with Renault

Micra ‘reborn’ for an EV technology

While the brand new electrical Micra has a number of nods to fashions that preceded it, the automobile maker describes it as a ‘reborn Micra’ and ‘no longer a unfashionable design’.

However, Nissan design supervisor Bert Dehaes says the brand new Micra has ‘undying qualities’ and ‘iconic signatures’ from Micras of previous, specifically the Ok12 (on sale between 2002 and 2010) that ‘translate to a brand new technology’.

This contains inspiration for the ‘worm eye’ entrance headlights and ‘gelato scoop’ minimize out that hyperlinks the entrance and rear doorways.

But arguably the most important alternate is that the Micra is far larger than earlier than within the hope of attracting extra circle of relatives patrons. 

Micra undertaking supervisor Elodie Sawruk doubled down at the Micra as now being a ‘forged, powerful SUV taking a look automotive’ with ‘an iconic heritage encouraged design’ simply with ‘trendy surprises’.

Can you notice the adaptation? The Nissan Micra (proper) and Renault 5 (left) are sister fashions underpinned by means of the similar platform

Externally, the Micra is 11cm longer than the R5. It could also be chunkier, with a much wider stance and aspect cladding that provides it an SUV appearance

While it could appearance very similar to the R5 from the aspect profile, Nissan promises that each frame panel is bespoke for the Micra.

Nissan designers have incorporated the Ok12-inspired ‘worm eye’ entrance headlights. There’s additionally a ‘gelato scoop’ line than runs alongside the profile of the doorways, and distinctive oval rear mild clusters

Is it only a rebodied Renault 5?

With Nissan’s long-running partnership with the French Renault Group, it is no nice marvel to be informed that Micra can be produced on a shared platform to stay prices down.

The just right information is that it’s going to be in accordance with what’s the standout electrical automotive in 2025.

Nissan showed it’s certainly similar to the brand new Renault 5 E-Tech that is captured the minds of each seasoned automotive testers and most of the people, who’ve lapped up its funky design and sensible riding traits.

Sawruk stated that it makes use of the R5 as a ‘base automotive’ however ‘is not replicating’ its French sibling – even though it’s going to be produced along the 5 E-Tech in Douai, France, on the Ampere ElectriCity plant.

A snappy look inside of and there’s a distinct sensation of minimize and paste; it has the similar materials used within the Renault, a like-for-like 10-inch twin display screen setup (on upper trims, seven and 10-inch on decrease trims) and stocks the similar digital tool.

However, there are a couple of Mount Fiji graphics dotted across the cabin to remind consumers that they are riding a Nissan.

Externally, the Micra is a few 11cm longer than its French counterpart. It could also be chunkier, with a much wider stance and aspect cladding that provides it an SUV appearance. All the frame panels are bespoke for the Micra too.

But the most important similarity to the R5 is the drivetrain…

The new Micra will include the choice of a 40kWh or 52kWh battery. These are claimed to supply 192 and 253 miles of fluctuate on a unmarried rate respectively

Nissan’s charging time estimations from 15 to 80 in keeping with cent are these days 3 hours and 55 mins for the 40kWh Micra on a 7.4kW AC charger, and 5 hours and 10 mins for the 52kWh battery

Battery, fluctuate, efficiency and charging

The new Micra will include the choice of a 40kWh or 52kWh battery. These are claimed to supply 192 and 253 miles of fluctuate on a unmarried rate respectively.

The smaller battery unit is connected to an e-motor turning in 120hp, whilst the bigger pack is married to a 150hp electrical power machine: like-for-like stats with the R5.

The smaller battery is to be had with the access and mid Engage and Advance trims, whilst the 52kWh greater battery will get the mid and range-topping Evolve specification.

Nissan estimates charging from 15 to 80 in keeping with cent to take 3 hours and 55 mins for the 40kWh Micra on a 7.4kW AC charger, and 5 hours and 10 mins for the 52kWh battery.

Using a 11kW software, it’s going to rate from 15 to 80 in keeping with cent in two hours and 35 mins or 3 hours and 15 mins respectively.

The 40kWh can DC speedy rate as much as 80kW whilst the 52kWh model can pass as much as 100kW which is able to ship 15 to 80 in keeping with cent rate in 25 mins or 30 mins.

It has a decent 326-litre boot – once more the similar because the R5 – and 1,106 litres with all of the seats down. The seats cut up 60/40 for additonal practicality

We sat behind the brand new Micra and located the rear headroom to be restricted. Taller adults may no longer need to take a seat at the rear bench for longer trips

Practicality, internal possible choices and tech

While Micra has grown in dimensions, it is in no way a large automotive – so do not be expecting a boot of epic proportions.

It has a decent 326-litre boot – once more the similar because the R5 – and 1,106 litres with all of the seats down. The seats cut up 60/40 as neatly.

It manner the baggage capability is bigger than the new Hyundai Inster, which has a shipment area of between 280 litres and 351 litres, and Citroen e-C3’s 310-litre providing.

There’s no ‘froot’ (a entrance boot) up entrance, however Nissan has equipped a 27-litre below flooring garage space within the again to deal with the charging cables when no longer in use.

Having sat within the Micra, we will inform you that the internal room is not all that capacious; there was once sufficient rear headroom for us (I’m 5’3) however a 5’11 colleague had his hair pressed firmly into the roof lining. 

That stated, it’s adequately proportioned for children to go back and forth within the again on longer trips.

Micra’s internal does really feel like a Renault 5 E-Tech minimize and paste; it makes use of the similar materials, 10-inch twin displays (on upper trims, seven and 10-inch on decrease trims) and stocks the similar digital tool

The cabin is a nice position to be and feels quite toned down towards the R5’s brighter structure

The Micra comes with Google Built-In which provides you with Maps, the Play Store and Google Assistant together with a number of apps, hanging much less call for to your smartphone.

The Engage trim has a seven-inch virtual driving force display screen and a 10.1-inch show touchscreen. The Advance and Evolve trims have two 10.1-inch displays.

Again, that is all very Renault 5, however that is long past down a deal with thus far with consumers.

Prices have not begun to be showed for the Nissan Micra EV, however we predict it to start out round the similar because the R5

Pricing and entire technical affirmation is predicted quickly, with first drives in September and deliveries earlier than the top of 2025

New Nissan managing director James Taylor stated that by means of the usage of a longtime nameplate, Nissan can trap other folks into EVs as there’s a ‘familiarity there’. Will this tactic paintings on you?

Pricing – how a lot will the Micra charge?

We pressed and pressed however Nissan has evaded revealing the Micra’s value.

However, the extensive guess is that it’s going to ring in round the similar because the Renault 5 E-Tech.

The R5 begins at £22,995.

Pricing and entire technical affirmation is predicted quickly with first drives in September.

New Leaf and Juke EVs a lifeline for Sunderland automotive manufacturing facility

Nissan’s new managing director, James Taylor, showed there can be 4 new Nissan EVs in addition to new e-Power hybrid fashions launching within the subsequent two years.

While the Micra can be made in France along the Renault 5, the Leaf and Juke EV are deliberate for manufacturing in Sunderland.

Taylor says it is a ‘improbable alternative to extend [Nissan’s] product be offering, draw in new consumers and develop the emblem in the United Kingdom’.

The Micra was once designed by means of the corporate’s building department in London, additional selling UK jobs.

Taylor advised press on the release that the usage of established nameplates is helping producers like Nissan trap other folks into EVs, as there’s a ‘familiarity there’.

He famous as neatly that the search engine marketing seek for the Leaf remains to be off the charts regardless of it these days being discontinued – one thing for advertising and marketing to faucet into.

Nissan’s clearly hoping that it might probably capitalise at the identical good fortune as different producers bringing again nameplates from the previous.