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When the latest Micra went on sale almost two years ago, it amazed motorists that the body styling underwent such a radical change. The other big surprise was that the Micra name, which over the years conjured up a driving school/cuddly-car image, did not undergo a name change also to match the dramatic new look. But the name survived and to emphasise its faith in the name, Nissan has branded the latest improvements in engine, transmission and connectivity technology as ‘MORE MICRA’.
Add up the improvements and you certainly get more driving pleasure, particularly because of the improvements in the engine and transmission department.
To reinforce the departure from the “favourite with driving schools” tag line, a new fun-to-drive N-Sport version is available to tap into the Ford Fiesta ST line and VW Polo-R line markets.
The halo version here will have a 117PS three-cylinder turbocharged engine with lower ride height, revised suspension and sharper steering.
But star of the show in terms of practicability and user-friendly driving, always the main selling features of a Micra, is the all-new 100PS one-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged engine with a newly developed Xtronic automatic transmission.
This will be popular choice for the burgeoning number of urban drivers. The new engine replaces a 0.9-litre engine and gives a smoother, quieter drive with stop/start and improved fuel consumption figures and lower Co2 emissions.
Those who choose the Xtronic D-step Logic Control on the CVT transmission will find that the computer software checks inputs such as revs, accelerator pedal position and speed to find the ideal gear ratio needed to get smooth constant acceleration.
This means the transmission now feels like the automatic transmissions we are more familiar with in Europe. The D-Step can hold a constant gear ratio like a conventional step-gear automatic transmission but adds the flexibility of a CVT. Drivers will find there is now a more direct crisp shift feel, there is less hunting. The days of the high-rev whining rubber-band experience are becoming a thing of the past.
The new engine and gearbox make for easy driving. The suspension can be firm over bumps and potholes and the steering may not be as precise as a Polo; but the body is longer and wider than a Polo, there is good rear legroom for a super-mini, with boot space coming in between models such as Polo and Skoda Fabia, which is bigger.
Nissan is targeting 2,200 sales and the 20pc which went to automatic transmission models up to now is expected to jump in coming years.
The starting price for the CVT is €19,995, with the 70PS version coming in at €17,195. On certain models Tec Pack as an option costs €1,200 and a Nissan Connect Pack with traffic info, find my car, remote smart phone connectivity and voice recognition costs €800.

I wouldn’t blame people for getting confused with the names and descriptions of cars these days. As a real-life example of that, I’m often asked if a ‘supermini’ would be too powerful (the ‘super’ bit has such connotations for some people) – until I explain it’s a category name given to the likes of the Ford Fiesta and Toyota Yaris.So I better try to acquaint myself and yourself with the mysterious name attributed to this week’s review car.It is called the Kia ProCeed, which they describe as a ‘Shooting Brake’. Now there’s a mouthful.’Shooting Brake’ was a name traditionally reserved for a certain sort of horse-drawn car and subsequently adopted by the likes of Mercedes to boost the quaint appeal of niche, posh, mechanically-propelled vehicles.So Kia, intent on appearing to move upmarket at every opportunity, are calling their new coupé-estate-like arrival a ‘shooting brake’.If left to my own devices, I’d view it as a variant of the estate (SW = Sportswagon) and, in truth, maybe that gives the best idea of where it’s at.But really, just think of it as a smart-looking, long, curvy motor that puts more emphasis on style than anything else in the brand’s Ceed model range.I do believe there are a few things against it, though. I think mixing the ProCeed and Shooting Brake names risks even more confusion.I think it costs a lot – nearly €30,000 – for what my cynical alter ego persists in reminding me is a smartened-up estate, albeit one made specifically for European (sportier) driving and design tastes.So far there isn’t a diesel which, for me, is a pity too, considering that this has the capability of doing serious mileage in comfort.And there is only talk, at this stage, of an automatic version. You would not believe the volume of queries I get from people looking for an automatic – from superminis to luxury SUVs (not so much Shooting Brakes – no surprise there), for a variety of reasons. Most have to do with people who just hate having to shift gears so frequently in heavy traffic.Putting a serious brake (forgive the pun) on my criticisms are a few simple, straightforward but important factors. There is just the one spec and one engine (for now). You have no idea how complicated and confusing some line-ups can be these days. I believe they are totally unnecessary.The car itself looked great, despite my initial reservations.And if I liked the outside a good deal, I liked the inside a lot. Here’s how to do simple-stylish without being avant garde to the point of boring.I’m picking out the seats for special mention. They were excellent for a variety of passengers and drives, though adjusting the angle of the seat-back was just a tad cumbersome.

Since it first arrived in 2014, the Volkswagen e-Golf has had the unique selling point of being a fully electric version of an already successful and instantly recognisable existing model. The Golf rarely strays from the top three selling cars in the country, and save for a few subtle styling cues, is practically indistinguishable from its much loved ICE counterpart.
Five years on and the competition in the electric car market is heating up rapidly. Despite rivals which can now offer longer range for better value, it’s still difficult to match the no-compromise, familiar appeal of the e-Golf.

DS Ireland are the latest marque to enter the burgeoning SUV market with the launch of their all new DS7 Crossback, a five-seat luxury crossover which they say will shake up the premium segment. The French brand, which started out as a luxury branch of Citroen, have further severed ties with their parent company by announcing their first set of standalone DS dealerships this year which will be the exclusive retailers of this exciting new model.
In what some might consider a bold move, the brand have their sights set on the higher end of the market with the DS7 Crossback, listing Volvo XC40 and Jaguar E-PACE customers amongst their targets. Starting at €36,000, the entry level Elegance model comes very generously equipped with an impressive range of standard features. Highlights include an eight inch touchscreen display complete with Apple/CarPlay and Android Auto, rear parking sensors, lane departure warning and electric driver seat lumbar adjustment. To further sweeten the deal, all models will come with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty as well as five-year roadside assistance.
A huge emphasis has been placed on design and the DS7 Crossback is an incredibly striking machine to behold. 18 inch diamond cut alloy wheels come as standard, as do LED fog lights with front cornering, and a stunning diamond effect front grille featuring the trademark DS ‘wings’. That French flair is even more evident inside the cabin with some very nicely appointed styling details such as unique crystal-effect controls and a leather wrapped multi-function steering wheel. Swathes of high quality materials abound with not a hint of scratchy plastic to be found (even when you go looking for them). There’s no mistaking it for anything other than a premium offering once you sit inside. In a thinly veiled dig at its competitors’ long option lists – DS call the Elegance trim a ‘realistic’ entry point and expect it to account for roughly 15 per cent of sales here.
More are likely to be tempted by the high-end features of the mid-spec Performance Line. Starting at €42,000, this will upgrade those wheels to 19 inch ‘Beijing’ alloys and add some more styling upgrades including tinted windows and a bespoke grille for a sportier look and feel. It also gets adaptive LED headlights with high beam assist, and some more sporty styling cues in the cabin including an AGR certified ergonomic driver seat and plush Alcantara upholstery that extends across the dashboard and door panels. Functional upgrades include a fully digital 12.3 digital instrument cluster, front parking sensors and a reversing camera.
It will also feature some cutting edge new technology called ‘Active Scan’, a camera-based suspension system that will ‘read’ the surface of the road ahead and adapt the firmness of the ride accordingly; making sure nothing upsets the ride comfort. However, it is exclusive to a pairing with the top of the range 2.0l automatic diesel powertrain.
The entry point to the range is the 1.2l turbocharged PureTech petrol engine, pushing out 130hp with a six speed manual gearbox. A punchier 1.6l petrol is available in the Puretech 180 with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Despite current market trends, DS still expect the majority of customer to opt for diesel with two capable options available in the 1.6l Blue HDi 130 (manual) and aforementioned Blue HDi 180 Auto. Great emphasis is being placed on its affordable running costs, with DS claiming best in class fuel economy and low CO2 emissions that ensure no model in the range costs more than €280 to tax. An exciting 300ps 4X4 PHEV version is on the way next year.
There is even more luxury on offer as you move up the trims to the Prestige (more styling upgrades, ambient lighting, wireless charging, bespoke B.R.M timepiece on the dashboard), and once again to the dizzying heights of the Ultra Prestige (20 inch wheels, 12 inch touchscreen, 3D Navigation, electric everything), allowing you to spend up to €60,000 on your DS7 Crossback, should you so desire.
We got a brief spin in the Blue HDi 180 Performance Line which will start at €49,745 and is expected to make up the majority of sales here. First impressions were largely positive, the exceptional level of comfort being the main standout feature. This was down to a mixture of wonderful cabin ambience, exceptionally supportive seating, and a pillow-soft suspension set-up – the one noticeable trait carried over from its Citroen heritage on the road.
A seamless power uptake from the eight speed auto box made for prompt progress from the lights, and it felt wonderfully light and easy to manoeuvre around town. Granted, the short city route we took didn’t lend itself to much testing of its true handling prowess but we hope to rectify that soon with a full week long test drive over more varied terrain.
Another welcome surprise was the number of admiring glances it garnered from the public, some squinting hard at the badge to see who created such a handsome machine. Hopefully they’ll find their way towards the new showroom in Airside to investigate further. They might just be in for a very pleasant surprise.
Stay tuned for a full review and test drive coming soon to CarsIreland.ie

Diesel is not dead for a sizeable number of motorists, judging by a recent survey.

The uncertainty around Brexit is helping to fuel big drops in some new executive-car buying – with a number of premium marques down significantly so far.