Nissan Micra
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The Nissan March (マーチ, Māchi) is a supermini produced by the Japanese automaker Nissan Motors since 1982. It is known in most export markets as the Nissan Micra.
K10 (1982-1992)
The original March, framename K10, was introduced in October 1982 as a competitor to the highly successful Honda City. It was intended to replace the Cherry as the company's competitor in the supermini segment, as the Cherry model itself had progressively become larger with each successive generation. It was introduced in the European market in 1983 and in Canada in 1984. Although Nissan was slowly phasing 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 March was initially available with an extremely refined all-aluminium MA10S SOHC engine. The Datsun badges had disappeared completely by the end of 1984.
The model was revised in June 1985, identifiable by the slightly larger rear lamp clusters. The Japanese market saw the debut of the first March Turbo/MA10ET, where Nissan grafted a turbocharger to the small 1.0 L engine. Another facelift came in March 1989, which consisted of some minor upgrades such as deeper bumpers, front grill, and headlight changes, as well some small changes to the interior. It also saw the introduction of an electronically-controlled carburetor, the larger MA12 1.2 L engine with 60 PS (44 kW/59 hp) and a 5-door hatchback version.
In 1988, Nissan launched a limited 10,000 unit run of their homologated Nissan 1989 March Superturbo (EK10GFR/GAR). Both this and the 1988 March Superturbo R/March R (EK10FR) (see below) featured the same highly advanced sequential compound charged (supercharger plus turbocharger) engine in an all-aluminium straight-4 930 cc 8-valve 4 cylinder Nissan MA MA09ERT unit that produced 110 PS JIS (81 kW/108 hp) at 6400 rpm. This car came with either a 3-speed automatic or 5-speed manual gearbox with viscous limited slip differential, as well as options such as air conditioned and electric mirrors. The March Superturbo still holds the crown for the fastest production March in Nissan's history, with factory performance figures of 7.7 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) and 15.5 seconds to run a quarter mile. Flat out speed, it can push up to 180 km/h (112 mph).
The March's chassis spawned a number of variations. The Be-1 (BK10), launched at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1985 (but not sold until 1987), was a limited edition model with a more rounded bodyshape, and only 10,000 were sold. In 1987, the canvas-topped, retro looking hatchback, Pao (パオ) (PK10) was launched (also at the Tokyo Motorshow) and sold to the public in 1989, with 51,657 models sold. A canvas-topped coupe, the Figaro (フィガロ) (FK10) was unveiled at the same show in 1989 and not released until 1991. As 20,000 were built, demand for this model was so huge that Nissan sold the car by staging a lottery to pick who could take orders for the car. With a cult status attached to it and numerous celebrity owners, despite being a JDM only model, the Figaro is one of the most imported models of the K10 cast-offs. The K10 ceased production on 21st December 1992. During its lifetime, it gained itself a good reputation for reliability and economy.
In August 2006, the K10 was still receiving credit for its impressive durability. An Auto Express survey revealed that of the 340,000 K10 Micras registered in the UK between 1983 and 1992, 96,000 were still on the road - amounting to nearly 30%, an impressive figure for a car which has been out of production for 14 years. This gave it a far higher rating than the likes of the Fiat Uno and Austin Metro, both of which had dwindled away to less than 3%.
K11 (1992-2002)
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The second-generation K11 was launched in Japan (which were also built there) in early 1992, and released in Europe in the fourth quarter of the year where still as known as the Micra, was the second model after the Primera built in Nissan's NMUK plant in Sunderland. It was powered by brand new all-aluminium 1.0 L (CG10DE) and 1.3 L (CG13DE) DOHC 16 valve engines, with 55 PS DIN (40 kW/54 hp) and 75 PS (55 kW/74 hp) respectively (higher outputs in Japan), both with ECCS (Electronic Concentrated Control System) fuel injection. Power steering was an option on some models, and the equipment list included security features not usually available in this market segment, such as standard pre-tensioning seat-belts with load limiters and a side door beam on each door. Airbags, antilock brakes, electric windows, central locking and air conditioning were available as options on some of the March range as it developed in its life cycle. The car soon won the European Car of the Year award for 1993 (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.
After minor changes in 1996, in 1998, six years after its launch, the March received a facelift which saw the whole range get power steering as standard. This also saw the introduction to the Peugeot-sourced 1.5 L TUD5 Diesel engine into the Western European range.
A final facelift came in 2000 for the K11, when the original 1.3 was replaced by a revised 1.3 L unit (CGA3DE) known as 1.4 but with an actual displacement of 1348 cc, which would be discontinued in late 2002 for the K12 model.
In the Republic of Ireland, the Micra was a popular car. The trim levels were aligned with the Continent rather than the United Kingdom. However, there was no diesel option.
In Taiwan, where the car has been sold since February 1995, the K11 March is still sold with an 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. It also comes with a semi leather interior with a rear headrest. The car still retains the original CG13DE engine.
The UK-built Micra was briefly exported to the Australian market beginning in 1995 with a three model line up, base 3-door LX, 5-door SLX and 3-door Super S (of which only 303 were ever sold in Australia and demand a hefty price premium over the other models). Class leading performance, a surprisingly dynamic chassis with well sorted suspension, roomy interior and above average build quality were the Micra's strengths in comparison to its Korean competitors like the Hyundai Excel, Daewoo Cielo and Ford Festiva. A poor exchange rate between the UK and Australia meant the Micra's pricing was rather steep and Australian buyers saw the cheaper Koreans and more established Japanese-sourced supermini's such as the Suzuki Swift and Daihatsu Charade as offering better value for money. The Micra was dropped from Nissan Australia's lineup in 1997. Like the Japanese March, the Micra's success in Australia has reached what some may consider a "cult-car" status as people become aware of its underestimated capabilities as a cost-effective runabout and a competitive track/rally car.
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 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 1960s. The Juke (December 1997) , Rumba (November 1998) and Polka (December 2000) kept the retro theme alive, all of them with slight variations. In April 2001, there was a Muji 1000 edition, the car was sold through the MUJI website. The car came with an exclusive one piece grille and unpainted bumpers and wing mirrors. Like the Box estate car, this version had a double folding seat. The car was only available in white and production was limited to 1000 units. At the same time, there was a Collet F, a 20th anniversary model.
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 automatic transmission four-wheel drive model.
In Japan, a speciality company called Mitsuoka made a latterday interpretation of the 1960s Mark II Jaguar called the Viewt. Launched in 1995, this car 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.
K12 (2002-present)
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The K12, unveiled in late 2002 with an improved 1.2 (CR12DE) and 1.4 (CR14DE) engine, recently spawned the coupé convertible model called the C+C. It was designed at the new London-based Nissan Design Europe studio, developed at the Nissan Technical Centre Europe at Cranfield, Bedfordshire and built, as with its predecessor, at the Sunderland plant. The electric folding glass roof is made by the internationally renowned [citation needed] coachworks Karmann and has a 2+2 seating layout. The car is powered by an 1.4 or 1.6 L engine.
In 2005, Nissan Europe released a performance model of the K12. Dubbed the 160SR, it was released as a direct competitor to the MINI Cooper, Ford Fiesta Zetec-S and the Citroën C2 GT, with a 1.6 L HR16DE engine, giving 113 PS (83 kW/111 hp) and uprated sports suspension. In 2006, Nissan renamed the 160SR to the Sport SR in line with name changes across the board for the K12.
Autech, a Nissan-owned company, recently unveiled alternative models called the Bolero and the Rafeet. The Bolero, like previous K11 counterpart has the usual retro front end and the Rafeet has a more modern approach, resembling a Mini in the process, with either a black or white leather interior, whereas the Bolero has a classic partial wood panelling and exclusive seating.
While Nissan Europe has the 160SR, in Japan the 5-door only March is available with the 12SR and 15SR-A versions, the first one with a tuned 1.2 L CR12DE engine giving 110 PS (81 kW/108 hp). It is equipped with an exclusive HKS exhaust and has a set of 15x6 wheels on a 185/55R15 81V Bridgestone RE-01R tires. From 2005 in Japan, 3-door models & the CR10DE were dropped from the range, the CR14DE was only used for 4WD models, and the HR15DE was introduced.
In 2003, Nissan UK, inspired by the Andros Trophy K11, unveiled the Micra-R, a one off mid-engined K12. Shown at the Geneva Motor Show without running gear and engine, being only a display car, it was later given the go-ahead and Nissan commissioned Ray Mallock Ltd to insert a mid mounted BTCC-derived Primera QG20DE engine for show and press demonstration purposes. In 2005, Nissan UK decided to replace the Primera engine with a VG35DE from a 350Z with a modified Altima SE-R gearbox for user-friendliness on the road. This model was baptized 350SR, although it was not offered for sale. Other modifications to this car include a vented rear arch and a set of Rays Engineering wheels. To date, they have no plans to put this model into production.
Its successor is due for a launch in 2009.
March in motorsports
Nissan first entered the March in motorsports with the March Superturbo R. First introduced in 1987, this rare pre-facelift K10 weighed in at 740 kg (1630 lb) with half interior and roll cage and tool kit. It was built for the new sub 1600 cc Group A class and shortly after, in 1988 Nissan released the March Superturbo as a road car.
While a favourite with the drivers in the Japanese Rally Championship, veteran Swedish rally driver Per Eklund finished the 1988 RAC Rally in 21st position and the 1989 Acropolis Rally Greece in 10th place.
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During the K11 production life, there was a series of national rally championship trophies held all over Europe called the Micra Challenge. This was intended as a cheap introduction to rallying, as the cars all had identical 1.3 L race-prepared engine. The UK series ran between 1995 and 1999. This model is still used in club and national rallies. In France, the 1.3 L model was used as the basis for a circuit racing one-make cup for celebrity drivers, the Nissan Stars Cup. In Portugal, the Micra spawned a one-make trophy alongside the National Rally Championship for Beginners.
In the late 1990s, a K11 was adapted into a VQ30 mid-engined 4WD configuration to race in the Trophée Andros, the French ice racing series. Drivers who raced this car include Érik Comas, Philippe Gache, Stéphane Peterhansel and Emmanuel Collard.
There is a Nissan sponsored one-make series in Japan called the March Cup, which has been running since the K10 days. Usually a JGTC support race, it is holsted in two five-round separate championships called West Japan Series and East Japan Series, and a ladies series running simultaneously. At the end of the season, the best performing cars from both sides meet up for the Champions Cup final at the end the season.
Reputation and popularity
The March is known for its reliability, excellent build quality, and user friendliness. As a result, they have become largely popular with women drivers, therefore they are commonly labelled as a 'girls' car' or 'handbag car' as with any small car with its soft, round shapes of the post K10 era, a common features of a car chosen by women, despite a census for March owners, which ranges on all sexes and age groups. Despite this, there are numerous tuning parts available for the car, engine transplants are not new for the March, as many owners with mechanical skills have installed SR20DE and more commonly, the GA16DE into their K11s. Turbo kits are a popular choice for the K11 and K12s.
In Sweden, though, the K10 earned a bad reputation for its lack of safety. The insurance company Folksam rated it as the most dangerous of all cars the years 1988 - 1995. In 1996 - 2006 however, they have rated it only second worst, with the Citroën AX being the most unsafe car on Swedish roads.
Scale models
Fujimi makes 1/24 scale plastic model kits of a 3-door K11 and 5-door K12, in several different versions. Kyosho also makes a 5-door K12, as a 1/43 scale diecast in both left- and right-hand drive versions.
BANDAI makes 1/24 or 1/43 etc plastic model kits and diecast model kits Nissan Be-1.
See also
External links
- Nissan Micra - Official Nissan UK Website
- Mitsuoka Viewt - Official site
- Template:Zh icon Super March - Nissan Taiwan site
- Nissan March Specs - Specifications of Nissan March from 1982 to September 2002
Japanese language
- Official Site
- Nissan Museum
- March Cup
- Autech March - Nissan Subsidiary site
- March Bolero
- March Rasheet
- March SR
- Double Charge Club. Nissan March Super Turbo and K10 March fan Site
