CASCAIS, Portugal -- Imagine walking up to any of the vehicles that Nissan and Infiniti manufacture for all the various car markets worldwide, getting in, firing up the engine and hitting the road. That is the basic concept for the second edition of the Nissan 360 event, where journalists from around the world get to drive and evaluate whatever they are interested in from the 59 different models available to them.
Everything from a V8-powered Titan pickup to the very loco Moco Japanese minicar is here. Although I spent some time in more than 10 Nissan and Infiniti vehicles, here are some insights on the Nissan Cube, whose next generation will come to Canada in 2010. Then there is the Micra (sold mainly in Europe and Japan) and the Note (sold in Russia, Britain, Germany, France and Italy), two vehicles that would probably be successful in our market should Nissan decide to bring them in, given the rising cost of fuel.
Nissan Cube's next generation will come to Canada in 2010.
The Cube could be described as a boxy van with rounded edges, very similar to the Honda Element, but much smaller. A better comparison would be the Scion xB that is sold by Toyota in the United States, where it has proven quite popular with the younger crowd.
The Cube is built on Nissan's B platform, which is the most widely used by the Japanese automaker. It is less than four metres long and is sold mainly in Japan where it is considered a tall wagon in the small car market.
The Cube shares its platform with the Versa, but weighs only 1,100 kilograms. It's powered by a 107-horsepower, 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine that is mated to a CVT gearbox driving the front wheels. Because it is so small and light, the Cube is remarkably agile in tight city quarters as well as on back roads. The only downside is the level of wind noise filtering into the cabin, not surprising given the Cube's boxy shape and relative lack of soundproofing materials.
No details have been released as to the size or design of the next-generation Cube, but it is a good bet the basic concept will remain and that Canada will see a more modern version of Nissan's boxy runabout in about two years.
Also worthy of consideration is the Micra, a small car that is also built on the same platform as the Versa but which is cuter than any economy car has the right to be. Because it is less than four metres long, the Micra would be both expensive and difficult for Nissan to ensure it meets Canada's safety standards for crash protection.
Note would likely be successful here given the rising cost of fuel.
Also, the fact the Versa is already sold here means Nissan has no plans to bring in a competitor from within the ranks. That's a real shame because the Micra would certainly be a hit, especially in the Quebec market, where small cars rule.
The Micra, known as the March in Japan, is Nissan's most popular car in Europe. More than 80,000 units were sold last year, and it's available in three- and five-door hatchback models as well as the stylish two-door C+C (Coupe + Convertible) with a power folding hardtop.
Engine choices are plentiful, with four different gasoline and one diesel powerplant. They range from a very torquey 1.5L two-cylinder turbodiesel up to a 1.6L four-cylinder gas engine rated at 110 hp, which is the standard powerplant for the C+C as well as the sporty Micra SR 160.
The Micra is a joy to drive, and the immediate effect of its cool design is to put a smile on everyone's face. In that way, the Micra is not unlike the Mini Cooper.
Another potentially noteworthy addition to Nissan's Canadian lineup would be the Note, which is an innovative interpretation of the traditional family hatchback.
It is shorter than the Versa, although the wheelbase is almost identical. It is also about as wide.
Think of the Note as a much smaller Mazda5 and you will get a good sense of what the vehicle is all about. It's highly practical yet is capable of delivering a decent level of driving dynamics.
More than 90,000 Notes were sold in Europe last year, with buyers choosing between the 110-hp, 1.6L four-cylinder or the 103-hp, 1.5L turbodiesel.
-- Canwest News Service
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