2015 Nissan Micra City Car Unveiled for Canadian Market

Nissan is bringing back a nameplate once known in North America for cheap, affordable motoring.

During a ceremony in Montreal, Canada earlier tonight, Nissan unveiled the 2015 Nissan Micra. Positioned below the sub-compact Versa Note, the Micra will join the growing city car segment in Canada featuring the likes of the Mitsubishi Mirage, Chevrolet Spark and Fiat 500.

The car is not entirely new as Micras are already sold in 160 countries worldwide, but Nissan swears it isn’t just a European transplant, saying it has been adapted for the North American market and designed to handle our less than perfect roads. So far, over 12,500 miles of testing has been conducted on Canadian spec Micras in preparation for launch.

Based on the Nissan V platform, the same one that houses the Nissan Versa Note, the smaller Micra will come with fewer standard features. Details are scarce for now, but Nissan does claim it will have an incredibly small turning radius and an available back-up camera to aid with parking. As well, tall passengers will be able to fit thanks to a high roofline.

The engine will be the same 1.6 liter four-cylinder unit found in the Versa Note, so expect the Micra to make around 109 hp, or a lot more than either the Chevrolet Spark or the Mitsubishi Mirage. Transmission choices will also the mirror the Versa Note, which means a standard five-speed manual and an optional continuously variable automatic. SR models like the open shown during the reveal sit on meaty 195/55R16 tires.

According to Nissan, the timing is right to bring this car to market now because the brand is expanding in Canada. Positioning a vehicle below the sub-compact Versa Note made sense to attract a new set of buyers, like first time car owners or those looking to downsize to cheaper, affordable transportation.

Pricing has not been announced at this time, but Nissan did say the car will represent big value in the city car segment. We expect it to start a bit more than the Mirage, but with more standard features and of course, more power. There will also be three trim levels: S, SV and SR, although the company hasn’t specified what those packages will include. At this time there are no plans to bring the Micra to the U.S., but Canadians will be able to get their hands on one this spring.