New Delhi, December 10, 2010: Nissan Motor India Private Ltd (NMIPL), following the successful commercial launch of the petrol variant of its first ‘Made-in-India compact hatchback –Nissan Micra -today announced the launch of the diesel-powered Micra in the city. The car was launched at Nath Nissan – the company’s authorized dealership in New Delhi. Sales for Diesel-powered Micra will commence from the dealership starting today. Mr. Satoshi Matsutomi, VP (Product Development and Program Management Office), NMIPL, Mr. Dinesh Jain –CEO, Hover Automotive India Pvt Ltd (HAI) –the strategic alliance partner for Nissan in India, accompanied by other senior officials of Nissan and HAI attended the launch event.
Nissan Micra Diesel is born out of the need to simplify the city chaos and enrich the urban driving experience. It is a reliable, stylish, safe and eco-friendly car for people who enjoy everyday driving. Nissan Micra Diesel is a smart, global hatchback with an affable appearance and engineered for easy handling and sprightly performance, while realizing class-competitive fuel efficiency. The Diesel-powered Micra comes with fuel economy of 23.08 kmpl (as approved by ARAI), making it the best in its class.
The Diesel-powered Nissan Micra will be available in two variants of XV and XV (premium). Available with greige interiors, it will be introduced in a range of six colours; Sunlight Orange, Brick Red, Pacific Blue, Storm White, Blade Silver and Onyx Black. The ex-showroom New Delhi prices for Nissan Micra Diesel are INR 5,58,500 for XV and INR 6,04,500 for XV Premium respectively.
Positioned in the B+ car segment, the Micra Diesel is powered with the popular 1.5litre Common Rail Direct Injection K9K Diesel Engine, which is mounted for the very first time in India on Nissan’s versatile ‘V’ platform. The 8-valves, 4-cylinder Diesel-powered Micra generates Power rated at 47Kw (64PS) @ 4000 rpm, while torque output is 160Nm @ 2000 rpm. The Nissan Micra Diesel comes with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The wide gear coverage enables the 1.5-litre engine to achieve brisk acceleration in city driving conditions. The engine is refined and very silent, thus well adapted for Indian conditions.
Commenting on the launch Mr. Kiminobu Tokuyama, M.D. & CEO, Nissan Motor India said, “The success of petrol powered Micra in the domestic market has given us huge confidence to introduce the Diesel powered Micra within six months from the petrol version. The Diesel Powered Micra with its best in class fuel efficiency and unique features has the potential to crave a niche for itself in the overcrowded compact hatchback segment in India. This is not just another variant. It is the right product at the right time that will offer the discerning Indian customers a good means of urban mobility with a complete package of performance, features, safety and comfort. We are aware this is a very important phase of our journey and we stand by our commitment to provide Indian customers with a full range of products and services”
Says Mr. Dinesh Jain, CEO, Hover Automotive India, “Ever since we launched the petrol variant in July, we have been flooded with enquiries for Micra Diesel. I am confident that the Diesel-powered Micra, is a good value proposition and a desirable option to choose from, for the Indian customers during this season. We are elated with the initial response the pre-order bookings have generated so far through our dealerships prior to the launch. We keenly look forward to replicate the success of the petrol variant with the Diesel-powered Micra. The Nissan Micra Diesel will be launched nationwide with a comprehensive multi-media marketing campaign featuring our brand Ambassador Ranbir Kapoor. We will also be using some non-conventional forms of media to maximize the product visibility and increase sales.”
A comprehensive multimedia ad campaign (T.V., Radio, Print and Digital) has also been launched to support this activity.
In July this year, Nissan launched the petrol variant of its first made in India global compact car –Nissan Micra (Global compact hatchback), based on the Versatile ‘V’ platform at its factory in Oragadam, Chennai. Since the sales began on July 15, 2010, the company has till date sold over 6000 units of Micra. With the launch of Micra Diesel, Nissan will add another variant to its product kitty providing the customers with a good choice.
Unique Proposition
The Diesel-powered Nissan Micra is equipped with some key technological innovations, which are designed to simplify day-to-day life for its owners. The Micra Diesel offers first-in-its-class Intelligent Key plus Immobilizer, a push-button engine start-stop system and electric foldable mirror.
Another unique feature is the intelligent multi-display meter, which supplies drivers with real time fuel economy information and cruising range. In addition, the driver power window is fitted with ‘one touch up/down’ feature along with a pinch guard.
Design
A unique design feature of this car is the double-layer integrated grille, which provides a stylish and sophisticated look to the car, yet maintaining a classical shape. There is also a stylized version of the distinctive arched side window line, something that is central to the Micra’s heritage, identity and appeal.
Compact Exteriors
Retaining its compact dimensions, the Nissan Micra measures 3780mm in length, 1665mm in width and 1525mm in height. The longer wheelbase (2450mm) enables a ‘wheels-at-each-corner’ stance – the main reason behind the Micra’s roomier interiors. The boomerang-shaped grooves on the roof have a clearly defined purpose too. The efforts of Nissan’s Global Production Engineering Centre also make it the lightest (XV – 992kgs, XV Premium – 1008kgs) yet sturdy hatchback in its segment. This has been achieved in numerous ways by reducing number of components and using newer manufacturing and material processing techniques. The XV premium variant of Diesel-powered Micra also comes with an added attraction of 15-inch alloy wheels and Body colored roof spoiler.
The Diesel-powered Nissan Micra with a top speed of 158kmph is also equipped with a class competitive boot space of 251 litres that can easily carry those extra bags of shopping during travel.
Roomy and Practical Interiors
Aiming to match the same sense of exterior style inside the car, Nissan has employed a ‘connected cocoon’ design featuring a dashboard design, which takes on a ‘twin bubble’ theme. This refers to the circular instrumentation panel and the similarly shaped glove box compartment on the passenger side. Special attention has been paid to use of materials on the instrumental panel by using Micro-grain technology. This reduces the plasticky feeling and improves productivity by ensuring quality and finish for visual and tactile appeal.
Ride and Handling
Nissan engineers have taken meticulous effort to develop the ride and handling characteristics of the car that is a perfect mix of agility, refinement and poise. Mounted onto Nissan's new signature V-platform, the compact design of the suspension minimizes intrusion at the rear for maximum trunk space, but not at the expense of the car's on-road dynamics. The front MacPherson Strut and rear Torsion Beam provide excellent cushioning effect, reducing fatigue during long journeys. Particular attention has been paid to bump absorption, ensuring that the Micra will ride smoothly over challenging road surfaces, not suffer from wallow or float, and cruise effortlessly at highway speeds.
Comfort and Convenience
In contrast to its high-speed capability, the car also has superb visibility and a class-topping turning radius of 4.65m. It is equipped with several new technologies that assist with minimizing C02 emissions and mileage while at the same time enabling easy maneuverability.
Safety
In the area of safety technology, Nissan pursues innovation as part of its “Safety Shield” concept, an advanced, proactive approach to safety issues based on the idea that cars should help protect people. The incorporation of the ‘V-platform’ is one major factor contributing to the car's improved impact safety. The car is designed to absorb the forces of a frontal impact, owing to the sophisticated crumple zones, while maintaining cabin integrity due to its highly reinforced body shell. The Diesel-powered Micra comes with fitted with a standard safety equipment of Driver Airbag across both its variants.
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