Nissan · 1982–present

Nissan Verita

The Nissan Micra, also known as the Nissan March (Japanese: 日産・マーチ, Hepburn: Nissan Māchi), is a supermini car (B-segment) that has been produced by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Nissan from 1982. The March name has always been used in the Japanese markets but also in many export markets across Asia and Latin America and others. The Nissan Micra/March partially replaced the Nissan Cherry. It was exclusive to the Nissan Japanese dealership network Nissan Cherry Store until 1999 when the Cherry network was combined into Nissan Red Stage until 2003. Until Nissan began selling kei cars in Japan, the March was Nissan's smallest vehicle there. Unlike most Nissans in the domestic market, it was never sold under other names through other distribution chains.

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First generation (K10; 1982)

The original March (chassis name K10) was introduced onto the Japanese market in October 1982 as a challenger to the Honda City, Daihatsu Charade, Suzuki Cultus, and Toyota Starlet. It was intended to replace the Nissan Cherry as the company's competitor in the supermini sector, as the Cherry model had progressively become larger with each successive generation. In Japan, it was exclusive to Nissan Cherry store locations, benefiting from engineering contributions from Nissan's 1966 acquisition of the Prince Motor Company, who originally developed the outgoing Cherry. The car was sold as the Micra in Europe; it had particularly low fuel consumption made possible by a specially developed engine only used in the March/Micra, uncommonly high gearing and a particularly low weight of 630 kg (1,389 lb) in early European trim. The low weight target necessitated a minimum of insulation, meaning that early Micras were quite loud. Japanese owners benefitted from an engine below 1000 cc when it came time to pay the annual road tax obligation. The body style was originally designed for Fiat as a replacement for the Fiat 127, but Fiat then adopted the Giugiaro-styled Uno instead. It was introduced in the European market in June 1983, and in Canada in 1984 for the 1985 model year (replacing the slightly larger Nissan Pulsar hatchbacks). Because the Micra was launched during Nissan's rebranding effort to systematically phase out the Datsun name, a small "Datsun" (ダットサン, Dattosan) appeared on the tailgate for the first two years, and in some European markets, the car was known as the "Datsun-Nissan Micra". The Datsun badges had disappeared completely by the end of 1984. The Micra was initially available with an extremely refined all-aluminium MA10S SOHC engine. European market cars deve

Second generation (K11; 1992)

=== Micra K11 (1992) === The second-generation K11 was built in the UK, Japan and Taiwan. It was launched in Japan in January 1992, and released in Europe in the fourth quarter of the year. It was powered by brand new all-aluminium 1.0 L (CG10DE) and 1.3 L (CG13DE) DOHC 16-valve engines, with 55 PS (40 kW; 54 hp) and 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) respectively (higher outputs were claimed in Japan, according to the JIS rather than DIN/ECE rating), both with ECCS (Electronic Concentrated Control System) fuel injection. It was the second Nissan model line to be produced in the UK at the Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK (NMUK) plant, Washington Tyne and Wear. A diesel version was offered with the 1.5 L PSA TUD market in Europe as Micra 1.5 D. Continuously variable transmission and power steering was an option on some models The equipment list also included safety features not usually available in this market segment: a toughened safety-cage and side-impact door beams were standard and pre-tensioning seat-belts and a driver's air-bag were optional. However, the Mk2 Micra scored only a modest two stars in Euro NCAP testing in 1997. CVT was the only automatic option available in Europe; in Japan, the 1.0-litre models were also available with a traditional, four-speed automatic transmission. Airbags, antilock brakes, electric windows, central locking and air conditioning were as either standard equipment or options on some models in the Micra range. The European model range consisted of 1.0L and LX, 1.3LX, SLX and Super S. The car soon won the European Car of the Year award for 1993, becoming the first Japanese car to do so. It also won the Good Design Award (a Trade and Industry Design award in Japan) along with the Car of the Year Japan award in 1992. At its introduction in 1993, it won

Third generation (K12; 2002)

=== Micra K12 (2002) === The next version of the Micra, the K12, was unveiled in production form at the 2002 Paris Motor Show, following the lines of the Nissan mm.e concept car presented the year before at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It was introduced to the Japanese market in February 2002 and to the European market at the end of 2002., The car was restyled, featuring a new, 70 mm longer wheelbase (developed with Renault), increased height and width, and prominent headlamps extending into the wings/fenders. The redesign coincided with the Japanese Nissan dealership network Nissan Cherry Store being renamed Nissan Red Stage in 1999. Other features included a sliding rear seat and optional keyless ignition. The range of engines included improved 1.2 (CR12DE) and 1.4 (CR14DE) petrol models, and a Renault-sourced 1.5 diesel unit (K9K). The automatic CVT transmission of the previous model was replaced by a conventional automatic transmission. Though its successor came out in 2010, the K12 was produced up through model year 2011. Euro NCAP tested a Micra 1.2 S in 2003 achieving safety ratings of: Adult Occupant: Pedestrian: Nissan March K12 (2002). The vehicle was unveiled in Nissan Headquarters Gallery, and in Nissan's Ginza Gallery in a wide array of colour variations. March Enchante includes a swivel front passenger's seat that turns 90° to facilitate easy ingress and egress. The March Driving Helper is fitted with hand-operated driving controls to enable persons with leg disabilities to drive and a control lever for operating the accelerator and the brakes with the left hand. These hand-operated controls are incorporated in the Autech Driving Control package, developed originally by Autech Japan for Nissan vehicles. The March Enchante was unveiled at the 2004 Tokyo Mot

Fourth generation (K13; 2010)

The first sketches of the fourth generation Nissan Micra, first internally referred as W02A as the development code and as K13 for the model code, were unveiled on 1 October 2009. The car was first displayed at the 80th Geneva International Motor Show. It was sold in more than 160 countries, including Thailand from March 2010, India from July 2010, Europe from November 2010, and Indonesia from December 2010. It was the first March/Micra to be built in a North American plant, even though this generation did not have any sales in the United States. The K13 was however available in Canada after the spring of 2014. It is based on the V platform with a new 1.2-litre HR12DE (XH5) 59 kW (79 hp) 108 N⋅m (80 ft⋅lbf), 3-cylinder engine (the first for a March/Micra). In the end of 2011 Nissan introduced the supercharged version of 1.2 (HR12DDR) called in Europe as Micra 1.2 DIG-S and the other engine 1.5 (HR15DE) and 1.6 (HR16DE) for the South American, Asian and Australian markets. The car was expected to be fuel efficient, delivering 18 km to a litre of petrol. The new idling stop system was reported to improve fuel economy by 2.0 km/L. It features variable control of voltage for power generation with an alternator (including regenerative charging function with braking energy). The Micra's coefficient of drag is just 0.32 achieved in part by the sleek roofline, with a raised rear end, which optimally adjusts airflow to the rear sides and other elements of the body designed to reduce air resistance such as door mirrors, a large front spoiler and the underbody configuration. A lightweight roof panel helps to keep weight to 915 kg (2,017 lb). The Nissan March was unveiled at the 2010 Bangkok International Motor Show, followed by 2010 Beijing International Automobile Exhibition, and

Fifth generation (K14; 2016)

The fifth-generation Micra, the K14, was unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. It has all-new exterior and interior design and shares the same platform as its predecessor. The fifth-generation Micra is only available in Europe and selected markets such as South Africa, Turkey, Morocco, and New Zealand, while the previous generation remained in production for markets such as Australia, Canada, India, Latin America, Indonesia, and Thailand. Sales in Europe began in March 2017. In South Africa, the fifth-generation Micra is sold alongside the fourth-generation Micra Active and sales began in June 2018. By 2022, the Micra Active was no longer sold in South Africa and only the fifth generation "New" Micra was still available. Plans to sell the Micra in Latin America were scrapped since the model would be too expensive. Similar plans to bring the new fifth-generation Micra into Canada were also scrapped since the model's main selling point was its just over $10,000 price, which the new model could not match. Its range of engines is shared with the Renault Clio IV. An entry level, 1.0-litre petrol engine that produces 70 hp (52 kW; 71 PS) is the base engine, while it was also offered with a 1.5-litre diesel engine that produces 90 hp (67 kW; 91 PS) and a 0.9 petrol engine that produces 90 hp (67 kW; 91 PS) (95 hp (71 kW; 96 PS) with its overboost function). The K14 Micra comes with a system called trace control, which prevents understeer by softly pinching the brakes. Currently, there are five core trims available from - Visia, Visia+, Acenta, N-Connecta, N-Sport and Tekna. Each one has more advanced systems such as hill start assist and reversing camera, premium rims, 4 speaker system and a leather steering wheel. Facelift. The Micra received an update on 28 January 2019 whi

Sixth generation (K15; 2025)

The sixth-generation Micra is a battery electric vehicle based on the AmpR Small platform, shared with the Renault 5 E-Tech and Renault 4 E-Tech. It is assembled at Renault ElectriCity in Douai, northern France. Proposed Euro 7 emissions regulations, which could increase the cost of a conventionally powered supermini by up to €5,000, prompted Nissan to launch the Micra as electric-only. The Micra EV was teased on 26 March 2025 alongside the third-generation Leaf. It was officially unveiled on 21 May 2025. It is available with two powertrains: a front-mounted electric motor producing 90 kW (121 bhp) paired with a 40 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, offering 309 km (192 mi) WLTP range; and 110 kW (148 bhp) with a 52 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery, providing up to 408 km (253 mi) WLTP range. The larger battery supports 100 kW DC fast charging (10–80% in 28 minutes). Initial markets are in Europe, with sales starting late 2025 at prices from around £22,995 (UK). Sales commenced on 1 September 2025. It is available in three trim levels; Engage, Advance and Evolve. 20-23 concept. Nissan released the 20-23 concept in September 2023 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Nissan Design Europe, its local design office in Paddington, London. It is a battery-electric supermini with styling influenced by the Micra EV previews and JDM cars including the Nissan Pao, Figaro, and S-Cargo. The NDE design team, led by Matthew Weaver, was provided a brief to create a car they would like to drive "on the streets of the city where they work".

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