PLENTY OF CHARM
Japanese giant unveils its new bargain EV with quirky ‘bug eye’ headlights and 250 miles of range with every charge
The sixth generation of the car is now all electric
A MAJOR Japanese car manufacturer has debuted an EV (electric vehicle) update to a fan favourite.
Nissan has unveiled a now fully electric model of an old fan favourite hatchback.
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The new all electric Micra was unveiled ahead of sales beginning later this year.
With a quirky new 'bug eyed' headlight design the sixth-generation Micra looks quite different to its predecessors.
The tiny hatchback has seen widespread popularity across its previous five generations, spanning more than 40 years on the road.
Now all electric, the Micra has been updated to a size well in excess of previous generations.
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Designed with European customers in mind the Micra is expected to arrive in the UK in late 2025.
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No price has yet been confirmed for the EV but it has been speculated to be somewhere in the £25,000 to £32,000 range.
The move comes amid turmoil for Nissan with recent announcements that the brand plans to save billions.
Nissan will reportedly make £1.3 billion cuts in a huge wave which could see 20,000 jobs cut.
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The car giant recently suffered its worst annual losses in 25 years and is desperately trying to turn things around.
The brand confirmed in April that it was anticipating losses of up to £4 billion.
Despite the difficulties the car manufacturer is pushing forward with the new Micra adding several features to the new EV.
The bug eye headlight design will reportedly perform a short choreographed “welcome wink” when the car is unlocked.
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This is reportedly going to happen when the car is locked too, acting as a "farewell" to the driver.
The new EV will come with two battery size options, 40kWh and 52kWh.
Each boast different power outputs with the 40 kWh putting out 90kW of power and 225Nm of torque.
The 40kWh will have a range of around 308km or 191 miles.
The 52kWh will boast an impressive 110kW of power and 245Nm of torque with a 408km (253miles) range.
Nissan have said the Micra's 100kW DC charger (or 80kw on the 40kWh version) offers quick charging from 15%-80% in 30 minutes.
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The exterior design bears a resemblance to the Renault 5, which the new Micra shares a platform with.
Circular all day running lights wrap around rectangular headlights giving the distinctive bug eyed look to the Micra.
A simple interior boasts two 10 inch screens mounted above the steering wheel.
An infotainment system will integrate Google Maps and several other apps to improve the driving experience.
The history of the Micra
The Micra has been around for more than 40 years, launching in 1982.
The first-gen came to the UK in 1983 and was considered contemporary, with multiple engine options and manual and automatic gearboxes it was an immediate hit with learner drivers.
The Mk2 Micra came in 1992, with new engines, and new modern tech like power steering, ABS, and electric windows.
A facelift, coming to the UK in 1997, was one of the best-selling Micras in the UK.
The third generation, in 2002, brought the bubble look that young drivers think of when they hear the name Micra.
It's the version that inspired today’s new electric Micra, with round, bug eyed headlights.
Before Micra production wrapped up, the fourth gen launched in 2010, and the fifth in 2016. It was more angular, and sleek with sharp lines and a premium interior.
Over six million Micras have sold globally.
The display can show anything from the current trip to safety features or navigation info.
Giovanny Arroba, Vice President - Nissan Design Europe - said: “In designing the sixth generation of the MICRA, we’ve celebrated all the values that have historically made it so popular – and opened a new chapter for MICRA as an EV.
"The exterior has an audacious and playful appearance on first look but has a stance which gives it a solid presence on the road. We’ve also been able to integrate delightful details into the design, which owners will love.
"We’re proud to have been able to bring the MICRA into the EV age.”
Amid a loss making year Nissan has ploughed ahead with the launch of the new Micra despite announcing the closure of 7 of its 17 factories.
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The brand has not confirmed which will be closed yet.
The move is part of cost cutting measures being implemented company wide in the hopes of turning around a dire financial situation.
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