New Nissan Micra DIG-S (2011): Prices & Models

Nissan Micra DIG-S - UK Details released

It was only February when the Nissan Micra DIG-S was revealed but Nissan are now ready to let UK motorists loose in their City Car and have sent us price and model details.

What we find particulary appealing about the three-pot supercharged Micra DIG-S is that it seems to offer a perfect alternative to the diesel City Car – and with much lower NOx and particulate emissions – but without the penalties in fuel economy normally associated with petrol-engined cars.

Not only does it offer economy that compares favourably with a diesel-engined car of a similar size, it suffers no performance penalty either. In fact, the DIG-S should be quite nippy.

With its ultra low emission 1.2-litre, three cylinder supercharged petrol engine the Micra DIG-S promises quite decent performance with 97bhp on tap. Oddly, Nissan hasn’t yet revealed what the performance of the Micra DIG-S is like, except to say it is as good as a regular 1.5 litre. Perhaps they’re embarrassed by its performance for an Eco City Car?

Performance apart – which we’re sure will feel lively in town – the Micra DIG-S will average between 65.7mpg and 68.9mpg depending on model – about the same as an super-eco diesel City car – but do so using cheaper petrol and without the emissions of a diesel engine. It will also emit just 95g/km CO2.

Shame we don’t have performance details, but we do like that a peppy little petrol-engined car – which offers proper linearity of performance – can compete head-on with the diesel-engined opposition.

And make expensive electric and hybrid City Cars look pointless.  Sales start on 1st September.

* DIG-S Visia comes complete with air conditioning as standard equipment

By Cars UK