Nissan India adds entry-level XE variant to Micra Diesel

Japanese car maker Nissan has launched a new, entry level diesel variant of the facelifted Micra in the Indian car market. Dubbed the Micra Diesel XE, the new variant is priced at 5.57 lakh rupees, ex-showroom Delhi. This variant is priced about 43,000 rupees lower than the next cheapest diesel Micra model, which sells at an ex-showroom Delhi price of 6 lakh rupees. With the new variant, Nissan India will be hoping to attract buyers into showrooms, who might have previously been turned off by the Micra Facelift's pricing. 

Note: The images used in this report are that of the Micra Diesel XV Premium variant. 

Compared with the Micra Diesel XL, here are the various changes that the XE variant of the Micra Diesel sees, 

• Non-body coloured wing mirrors
• Non-body coloured bumpers
• Non-body coloured door handles
• Driver airbag, multi-information display and tilt steering are the retained features. 
• Door sash tape deleted
• Rear LED combi lamp deleted
• No chrome finish for radiator and lower front grille
• No wheel covers for the steel wheels
• Power windows and rear parcel shelf omitted
• Follow-me-home headlamps and keyless entry omitted 
• Front speakers omitted
• Grip assist and NVH package omitted
• Central locking and speed sensing auto-lock omitted
• Other deletions include chrome finish for parking brake, inner door handles and speedometer, cup and bottle holders and digital clock

With the addition of the XE variant, the Micra is available in 8 variants. The hatchback is sold with a 1.2 liter petrol engine, that outputs 77 PS-104 Nm. This engine is available with a 5 speed manual gearbox and a CVT automatic gearbox. The diesel engine is a 1.5 liter turbo charged unit that outputs 64 PS-160 Nm. The diesel engine comes with a 5 speed manual gearbox as standard. Top end variants of the Micra get ABS+EBD and twin airbags. 

The pre-facelift Micra has been re-positioned by Nissan and this car sits lower down the price chain, as an entry level model. The pre-facelift model, dubbed the Micra Active, is available only with a petrol engine. The 1.2 liter petrol engine it comes with is de-tuned in the interest of higher fuel efficiency. The triple cylinder petrol engine outputs 68 PS-104 Nm and comes with an ARAI certified mileage figure of 19.49 Kmpl. The Micra Active starts at 3.5 lakh rupees, ex-showroom Delhi, and is available in 4 variants.