Update: ‘Nissan Micra NISMO variantʼ section added.
Nissan revealed plans to introduce 15 electric vehicles globally by FY2030 during an announcement in November 2021. While the company did not provide a model lineup, it confirmed a Nissan Micra Electric successor for Europe, based on the Alliance’s CMF-BEV platform. The supermini has been Nissan’s smallest vehicle, and for years, it has been an affordable mass-market offering. Here’s what we know so far about the next-generation Nissan Micra:
Confirmation
At the Alliance digital conference on January 27, 2022, Nissan COO Ashwani Gupta announced the Nissan Micra EV successor and released the first teaser:
We are moving to boost our compact vehicle line-up to drive our growth in the biggest segment in Europe with a breakthrough CMF-BEV platform. Introducing an all-new model that will replace our iconic Micra, here is the sneak preview of this eye-catching compact EV that will be on the road in the near future.
Ashwani Gupta, COO, Nissan (Alliance digital conference on 27 January 2022)
The Alliance 2030 Roadmap
The Alliance (Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi) will invest EUR 23 billion (USD 26 billion) over the next five years to accelerate their electrification strategy, to have 35 new EVs in the global markets by 2030, based on five common EV platforms. To that end, Nissan announced that the CMF-BEV platform (revealed by Renault last year) would serve as the foundation for the alliance’s Micra EV and other compact EVs.
Renault will lead the development of a centralized electrical and electronic architecture to launch its first fully software-based vehicle by 2025. Nissan will continue to lead the development of solid-state batteries (ASSB) and will share this technology with the other alliance partners in the future. The technology is in its infancy now, but many carmakers believe that the full potential of the solid-state battery has not been tapped into.
CMF-BEV Platform
Nissan claims that the CMF-BEV platform will be the “most competitive compact electrical platform globally.” It will be available in 2024, implying that the Nissan Micra Electric successor will be available almost simultaneously. According to the Japanese brand, the platform will enable a range of up to 249 miles.
Compared to Zoe, the CMF-BEV will reduce costs by 33%. It will offer “outstanding” aerodynamic performance and efficiency 10% better than the Renault Zoe. EVs measuring 3.9-4.2 meters long would be built on this platform, which would provide significant cost savings because 60% of the non-electric components would be sourced from the CMF-B.
We will have a battery pack that will allow at launch – that means 2024 – up to 400 km of range with the battery of a little bit more than 50 kilowatt (hour). It will also integrate an evolved electronic architecture and infotainment system.
Luca de Meo, CEO, Renault Group, answering a question about the CMF-BEV platform (Alliance digital conference held on 27 January 2022)
The Alliance is aiming for significant sales figures for the CMF-BEV. It is expected to generate the necessary volume and drive profits for the brands. CMF-BEV will serve as the foundation for 250,000 vehicles per year sold under the Renault, Nissan, and Alpine brands. The Micra EV, Renault R5, Alpine R5, and Renault 4 will use this platform beginning from 2024. A Mitsubishi megacity car may join this group as well.
Nissan Micra Electric Successor Design & Features
The Alliance members devised a “smart differentiation” strategy to ensure each product’s desired level of commonality. Still, the design (which Nissan refers to as “upper body differentiation”) will take a “stricter” approach to ensure the products look unique and distinguished. For example, the Renault 5 has squared edges; the Micra has a curvy design with sculpted surfaces.
Nissan has not revealed the specifications of its entry-level EV in Europe other than teasing its lights and silhouette (or a concept that could preview the production model). With individual LED modules, the headlight design seems reminiscent of the third generation Micra from 2002, but overall, the design seems reminiscent of the previous generation model (K13).
Furthermore, the charging lid is located on the front fender (port side), as opposed to the Nissan Leaf, which charges through a port located above the grille. The side profile of the Nissan Micra Electric teaser reveals pull-type door handles for the front doors and what appear to be concealed handles for the rear doors in the pillar. The Nissan Micra Electric also seems to have a ‘split roof’ design, thanks to the body-colored C-pillar that extends towards the top. Other features visible in the teaser include aero-optimized wheels and a panoramic sunroof.
The CMF-BEV platform is expected to enable a spacious interior, which is already a feature on Nissan B segment gas-powered vehicles; with similar dimensions but no internal combustion components, CMF-BEV products could deliver impressive cabin space.
Nissan Micra Electric Specifications
A range-topping Nissan Micra Electric successor would have an 80-100 kW single motor and FWD layout. A circa 50 kWh battery pack with a range of up to 249 miles in the WLTP metric can be expected. Nissan will not switch to LFP cell chemistry to save money. It would, like Renault Group, rely on the more popular NMC cell chemistry across the product line. The Plug & Charge feature will be supported by the CMF-BEV platform, making charging EVs very convenient for first-time EV buyers in the segment.
Manufacturing
The Nissan Micra Electric version will be designed by Nissan, engineered by Renault, and manufactured at one of the Renault ElectriCity facilities in Northern France (Douai, Maubeuge, and Ruitz).
Nissan Micra Electric Release Date & Price
The Nissan Micra Electric should be in showrooms in the first half of 2025. In Europe, the price is expected to be below EUR 25,000 (USD 27,000), similar to the Renault 5.
Not available in the U.S.
The Nissan Micra isn’t sold in the United States, and we aren’t holding out hope for the electric version’s local release as the brand’s focus has shifted towards electrifying sedans and SUVs. However, the fourth-generation (K13) model was sold briefly in Canada (between 2014 and 2019), following which it was discontinued due to poor demand.
Nissan rules out ICE Micra successor
During the Alliance digital conference, Nissan COO Ashwani Gupta was asked if the Micra successor would be available with a gasoline engine. Gupta stated that the Nissan Micra successor would only be available as an EV in Europe and possibly globally.
What exactly we want to offer to the customer is the parity with the ICE and with a better performance, and that’s why the Micra successor in Europe will be only Micra EV. Now, it’s too early for us to say, but of course this platform being so much competitive and as we are using CMF-B, two kind of specification on ICE platforms around the world, we would like to explore the opportunity to go for transition towards the battery electric around the world, but at first, we want to focus in Europe because that’s where we want to demonstrate the competitiveness of Nissan using the Alliance assets.
Ashwani Gupta, COO, Nissan (Alliance digital conference on 27 January 2022)
Nissan expects to achieve cost parity with ICE vehicles with the CMF-BEV platform. If it is successful, there will be no need to launch an ICE Micra in Europe, as the continent is rapidly transitioning to electric vehicles.
Nissan Micra NISMO variant
Top Gear broke the news on May 4, 2022, that Nissan is seriously considering NISMO variants of its electric cars. The information came from within the organization—Nissan Europe chairman Guillaume Cartier confirmed to the publication that the brand was evaluating the electric models that can carry the NISMO badge. The Micra electric’s beefed-up version could be on the cards.
Cartier said, “it’s not lipstick on a pig,” indicating that the NISMO treatment wouldn’t be a mere cosmetic upgrade. The brand would incorporate fundamental changes to the powertrain and chassis for better performance. It’s possible that Nissan could bring a Micra NISMO with close ties to alliance partner Renault’s Alpine R5. The Micra NISMO could be based on a tricked-out CMF-BEV with well over 200 hp and a 0-62 mph time in the 6-second ballpark. The Abarth 500e could be its adversary.
An early guess would be that the Micra NISMO may be closer to the ground, sport aggressive bumpers, get a roof-mounted rear spoiler and feature unique color accents to distance itself from the regular model. Likewise in the interior, expect sport pedals, NISMO badges, contrast stitching and coordinated accents to heighten its aggression.
Nissan Micra Electric FAQs
What is the release date of the electric Nissan Micra?
Expect the Nissan Micra electric to enter the launch markets in the first half of 2025.
What is the expected electric Nissan Micra range & price?
Expect around 249 miles (400 km) of range. We anticipate the starting price to duck under EUR 25,000
Which are the probable competitors to the Nissan Micra EV?
The VW ID.2, Renault 5, and the electric Fiat Panda are the future competitors.
The official teasers in this story are screenshots that TES has enhanced to provide additional brightness to observe critical details.
Featured Image: Rendering of the Nissan Micra electric by TopElectricSUV
