Nissan Micra celebrates 25th birthday

The UK public have witnessed the Micra’s birth, first tentative automotive steps and rites of passage over the past 25 years, during which time owners have also administered some TLC to minor scrapes with car park rivals.

Now though, having been nurtured by 2.2 million motorists across Europe, the car that arguably sparked the city car trend is about to fly the nest for good, with production of the replacement model set for the Indian sub-continent.

Before Britain waves a final goodbye to one of its favourite sons, there’s the small matter of the Micra 25 to introduce. To commemorate the Micra’s quarter century, Nissan has rolled out this unashamed anniversary model of its erstwhile supermini.

After 25 years of sales successes across Europe, Nissan thought the best way to celebrate its achievements was to christen a new sub-model that would be run throughout its current range. With this in mind, £9,395 will get you a 1.2-litre three-door, whilst you upturn your pockets and count out £16,600 for the 1.6-litre C+C with an auto box.

The complete engine line up includes a choice of 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre dCi diesel unit producing 83bhp. The 106bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine is available on the Micra C+C.

Largely unchanged in most departments, the Micra 25 exhibits the most subtle of embellishments, the most prominent of which being its unique new exterior colour choice. Nightshade is a rich, deep purple hue, available no where else in the city car gang.

This sophisticated, more grown up look is contrasted by discreet silver-effect door mirrors, handles, body mouldings and wheel trims. Rear privacy glass, some embroidery anniversary edition floormats and a ‘25’ logo badge welded to the rear door provides the definitive automotive ID card that will either make it or break it.

All the trappings of today’s street culture are in evidence on the Anniversary edition, Bluetooth, Intelligent key and automatic wipers and headlights are joined by iPod connectivity which can be facilitated from steering wheel-mounted buttons.

A unique Micra engraved 4 GB iPod nano will hold sway with the Japanese supermini’s main territorial rivals, although this might be temporarily compromised by the inclusion of Nissan-specific content having been uploaded.

10 different ‘themed’ songs, some stylised Micra photography and a Micra TV ad have been selected because they’re said to reflect the 25s distinctive, yet cheeky personality. With echoes of an embarrassing dad busting some moves on the dance floor, we’ll hold our counsel.

The new Nissan Micra 25 will be available across Europe from early August.

To mark the 25th anniversary, a motorcade of 25 special edition Nissan Micra 25s made the 300-mile journey from the Japanese manufacturers’ Sunderland production plant to London’s ExCeL centre, the scene of this year’s British International Motor Show, where the new model will make its official debut.