Reference Auto

Nissan Micra lovers have been demanding it and, within just a few months of launching it, Nissan is out to deliver it: the Micra’s diesel variant.

Nissan Motor India has said the rollout will happen next month and the car major has already started bookings, which it is doing so through its 20 dealerships. According to the company, the precise time of Micra diesel launch will be near about Christmas. The bookings will also take place in a phased manner.

The Micra diesel will come in two variants only - the XV and the XV Premium. The on-road prices (Chennai) of the XV and XV Premium are Rs 6.45 lakh and Rs 6.90 lakh.

The diesel XV will have similar features to the XV petrol variant, including a driver-side airbag, an intelligent key system, a push button ignition, electrically adjustable and foldable wing mirrors and body-coloured door handles. It will also have manual AC, power windows, music system and black interiors. This variant will, however, not have either the ABS or EBD.

The XV Premium variant will additionally have alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a spoiler at the rear. It will also have climate control, 15 inch alloys, driver side airbag, push button start, keyless entry, auto retractable mirrors and beige interiors. The vehicle’s 1.5-litre diesel engine offers a fuel economy of 23.08 kmpl, which is among the best in its class.

In July, Nissan launched the petrol variant of the Micra, which is based on the Versatile ‘V’ platform and the roll-out took place from Oragadam in Chennai. Since sales began in mid-July, the company has clocked 4,500 Micras.

The Nissan Micra is being exported to over 100 nations since October. They include countries in Europe, West Asia and Africa. Nissan is bullish on Micra exports and has set an ambitious target of 1,10,000 units by this financial year ending March 31, 2011.

Managing director and chief executive officer of Nissan Motor India Kiminobu Tokuyama, said, “The success of the petrol variant of Micra in the domestic market has given us confidence to introduce the diesel variant within six months of the petrol version’s launch. We are aware that this is a very important phase of our journey and we stand by our commitment to provide Indian customers with a full range of products and services. We are confident that the diesel-powered Micra would fulfill the needs of our Indian customers.”

Nissan Micra petrol is doing well, alright. But for the diesel variant to find a place in the midst of intense slugfest, Nissan will have to scale up its dealer network hastily.

Otherwise, it will see its sales dwindling after the Micra diesel craze dies down as it has no other car that it can bank upon to drive its earnings. However, in the short term, the Micra could see its sales surge as soaring fuel prices could prompt buyers to make a beeline for the diesel variant after its launch next month.