The launch of the Nissan Micra was at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010, and around the same time it was launched in Thailand. Production of the Micra commenced at the Chennai plant a few weeks after the global premiere, while the product was launched locally in July.
The diesel variants came subsequently in December 2010, and since then a couple of updates and special editions have also rolled out.
Unlike the Renault Pulse, the Nissan Micra is not an Indian market specific product. In fact the Chennai plant manufactures the Micra, a thirty year old nameplate, for almost the entire world. In recent years, global auto manufacturers introduce a mid-life makeover for their products by around three years into the launch.
This could mean one thing – the Micra facelift is just around the corner.
A Micra test mule sporting an unseen body color and bluff camouflage around the untouched design features was spotted last month. While that vehicle is believed to be testing localized components and in a configuration that’s specific to India to be able to compete in a lower price band.
Several changes to the exterior are seen. These include a re-designed front bumper to indulge the changes to the headlamps which seem to have a different design and are larger. The fog lamp housing has also been changed to give more depth to the bumper. The air dam also appears to be bigger in size which leads us to believe that there may be some changes to the grille as well, which unfortunately is covered. The C and D pillars are also blacked out. The rear bumper is new with a hexagonal registration plate enclosure, LED inserts on the tail light cluster and a wider clear lens section in the tail light detailing.
As for the engine, Nissan may not hassle the mechanical carriage of the Micra facelift, lovers of the 1.5L K9K diesel may be snubbed if Nissan modifies the gearing as in the current state, there’s almost no turbo lag accelerating through city traffic.
Nissan may unveil the Micra refresh at the Geneva Motor Show next month. If not, expect it to be unveiled in a private ceremony in the next few months.
Also see – Nissan’s version of Duster images leaked, launch in October-2013
Image credit – Autocarindia.com/forum
