Nissan confirms 2015 launch slot for revised Micra

NISSAN Australia is finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel in its quest to launch its refreshed Micra micro hatch, some 14 months after the facelifted model was revealed at last year’s Frankfurt motor show.

The company is now saying the new model will arrive in Australian showrooms from the Indian factory sometime in the first half of 2015, giving the importer a much-needed boost in the city-car market.

Originally scheduled here in late 2013, the introduction of the K13 Micra Series II was delayed 12 months because of a backlog of stock of the current fourth-generation model introduced in 2010.

But that timeline has now blown out again for undisclosed reasons, with the launch pushed back into next year – a total delay of about 18 months. For now, Nissan is plugging along with the current model.

So far this year, Micra sales are down 47 per cent, to 1959 units, an average of about 200 units a month in a market segment down 27.4 per cent.

Only two years ago, Micra was averaging about 1000 units a month, peaking at 1444 in March 2012.

The revised model promises to recover at least some of those sales, thanks to more contemporary styling and fresh features.

Mid-life revisions include a fresh nose bearing Nissan’s trademark V grille motif, along with a host of changes to improve refinement, owner satisfaction and performance.

Reshaped panels include the bonnet and front mudguards, as well and front and rear bumpers.

A lively turbo-charged version of the 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine is offered in some markets, offering 72kW of power and thrifty 4.1-litres per 100km fuel economy.

The normally aspirated three-cylinder engine is carried over, but gets a small 3kW power upgrade, to 59kW.

Interior appointments include more upmarket surfaces, a 12-volt socket and USB slot for phone charging, reshaped air vents and a larger, improved screen.

No price predictions have been made, but the current Micra range starts at $13,490 for the ST manual, and tops out at $18,990 for the Ti automatic.

Presuming Micra Series II arrives in the first half of 2015 according to the current schedule, it is likely to be on the market for less than two years, as the all-new fifth-generation hatchback is expected in late 2016.