Welcome!

The Nissan Micra is a car produced by Nissan, known in Japan as the March. It is arguably the worst car on the planet.

K11 (1993-2002)

The second-generation K11 Micra, built in Nissan's Sunderland plant, was launched in Japan in January 1993, and released in the Europe later that year. It was not much better than its predecessor. "Power" came from 1.0 (CG10DE) and 1.3 (CG13DE) petrol engines, both with fuel injection and 16 valves. Power steering was either optional or standard on all models, and the equipment list was very up to date. Airbags, antilock brakes, electric windows, central locking and air conditioning were available as options on most of the original Micra range. The car soon won the European Car of the Year award for 1993 becoming the first Japanese car to do so and the Good Design Award (a Trade and Industry Design award in Japan) along with the Car of the Year Japan award in 1993, this would spawn the V3 Award edition (see later article) .

For the 1300 cc model, the Micra had standard dual airbags, a pre-tensioning seat-belt with a load limiters and a side door beam on each door. Also comes equipped with ABS, also with Brake Assist and Electric Braking-force Distribution System to work with the ABS. All these things just made the car heavier and slower.

In April 1995, Nissan began exporting the March from Japan for the Australian market. Sales ceased 2 years later. You see, the Aussies aren't stupid, they can spot a lemon from 8,000 miles away.

In 1998, six years after its launch, the Micra received a minor facelift which saw the whole range get power steering as standard in oprder to help the arthritic old ladies who drove these sorry excuses. This also saw the introduction to the 1.5 liter TUD5 diesel engine into the range.

A final facelift came in 2000 for the K11, when the original 1.3 was replaced by a 1.4 (CGA3DE) unit, which would be discountinued in late 2002 for the K12 model.

However in Taiwan, where the car has been sold since February 1995, the K11 March is still sold with a entirely facelifted and improved version called the Super March. It has a digital instrument cluster, LED rear light clusters, indicators built-in to the side mirrors and a facelifted front end with modern crystal headlights. Also comes with an semi leather interior with a rear headrest. The car still retains the original CG13DE engine.

Like the K10, the K11 spawned a numerous spin offs which were all sold only in Japan. In April 1994, the V3 Award edition was released to commemorate the three awards the car won in the first year of production, based on the C# with a colored roof spoiler. It came with a special commemorative tachometer and sticker. There was a specially retro facelifted model called Tango in June 1996, based on the F and A# model, and the Collet was unveiled in October 1996 to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the March in Japan, with central locking. Initially sold for five months, this model became a regular model soon after. In October 1997, another facelifted 5 door model called the Bolero made its appearance, with a round headlight and a large grille, resembling a classic british saloon of the 60's like the Mitsuoka Viewt. The Juke (December 1997) , Rumba (November 1998) , Polka (December 2000) , kept the retro theme alive, all of them with slight variations. car In April 2001, there was a Muji 1000 edition, the car was sold through the Muji web site. The car came with an exclusive one piece grille, with a non painted black bumpers and wing mirrors. Like the Box estate car, this version had a double folding seat. The car only came in white and only 1000 were built. At the same time, there was a Collet F, an 20th aniversary model. The original Collette was a grey and black 1.0 litre model which should have been strangled at birth.

There was a cabriolet unveiled first at the Tokyo Motorshow in 1995, but it was not sold until August 1997, with an electric top. There was also an estate version called Box (WK11), which was unveiled on November 1999, with a double folding rear seat; along with the auto gear only four wheel drive model.

In Japan a speciality company called Mitsuoka made a latterday interpretation of the 1960s Jaguar Mark 2 Jaguar called the Viewt. Launched in 1995, this model is regarded as a luxury model compared with the other March/Micras as a four door only with wooden interior panelling as standard and leather interior and chrome plating coming as optional.

Nissan Micra Photos:

Thx. :)