The previous-generation Nissan Micra was initially a popular offering in South Africa after it was launched here a decade ago. It even enjoyed an extended shelf life as the facelifted ‘Micra Active’, which was introduced around the same time as the latest Micra.
But being wedged between the cheaper Datsuns and the much sexier new-age Nissan Micra, the extended-life Active never really made much of an impact on the sales charts and following its discontinuation in India (where our cars were sourced from) the compact hatch was quietly put to pasture in our market as well.
But it’s not completely over for the previous-generation Micra as the model has been relaunched in Mexico (where it’s badged as the March) with a comprehensive facelift that intends to make it resemble that latest Micra.
Whether Nissan’s designers actually got it right is up for debate, but we can’t help but feel that the sharper looking front is somewhat at odds with the curvy body shape inherited from the previous model. Nissan has attempted to hide the old shape to a degree by painting the roof and pillars black, but that just makes the C-pillars look like they’ve been chopped in an awkward spot.
Nonetheless it is interesting to see an older-generation car being given a longer shelf life, particularly because it has happened so often in South Africa – think Polo Vivo, Citi Golf and Tazz.
However, given that the previous Micra has been discontinued in India (and Mexico is a left-hand drive market) it is very unlikely that this facelifted old Micra will ever reach local shores.
Interestingly the Nissan March (AKA Micra) enjoys a 40 percent market share in its segment in Mexico, which probably explains why that division chose to upgrade the old version rather than replace it with the latest-gen model, which is a bigger and more expensive vehicle.
Nissan has upgraded the Micra’s cabin too, where we see a wider infotainment screen and carbon-look central facia trim. This Mexican-spec model also boasts a more powerful engine than the 1.2-litre Micra Active that was sold in SA. This comes in the form of a 1.6-litre normally aspirated unit that produces 79 kW.
