2010 New Micra, V-Platform

"With the world premiere of Nissan’s new global compact car slated for a Geneva Motor Show reveal in early March 2010, and other models based on the same platform to follow soon after, Nissan’s new V-Platform based vehicles will set a new global standard."

HR12DE
3 Cylinder, offset crankshaft
1,198 cc (I guess 78mm bore of HR15DE & HR16DE and 83.6mm stroke of HR16DE)
74 HP (54 KW) 104 N-m
Fuel Consumption average 26 km/litre

Source? Where does it say there that the Micra will be on the V-Platform?

---dens

This refers to the Global Compact car on the V-platform, there are also some pictures of the front of what has been leaked as the new micra.
http://press.nissan-global.com/COMMON/IMAGES/COMPACTCAR/NEWSLETTER_01/COMPACTCAR_01_E.pdf

INNOVATIVE GLOBAL COMPACT CAR SETS NEW STANDARD

Production to commence in three different countries employing all-new V-Platform across next generation compact car lineup

As an integral part of a global breakthrough project, Nissan Motor Company announced the imminent introduction of an innovative V-Platform and an all-new global compact car that will employ this technology. Breaking with traditions that focused on launching production in established markets like the U.S., Europe and Japan, Nissan has instigated revolutionary measures to start production of a completely new model at overseas manufacturing sites such as India, China and Thailand. To achieve this goal, an all-new production process has been incorporated to maintain Nissan’s ‘no compromise’ high quality levels, great packaging and competitive pricing.

This project was borne out of three critical factors: growing customer needs for compact cars in emerging markets, the fact that Nissan has not had a strong presence in this segment which occupies more than 20% of the world market, and the opportunity that such a global strategy gives Nissan to utilize both global reach and technical capabilities.

To co-ordinate this unprecedented development effort, that will see the V-Platform incorporated into at least two other models over the next three years, Nissan put together a unique team of specialists boasting industry-leading experience and know-how in production, localization and product planning.

Joining project leader Vincent Cobee is former chief engineer Noritaka Tsuru who has developed vehicles globally for over two decades. Also instrumental in the development process was Keno Kato, compact car product planning specialist.

Bringing the world’s best to the table

Called “Smart Engineering,” Nissan’s new engineering initiative was fine-tuned to meet the requirements of the new V-Platform, models and production method, while keeping costs down. “We are also aiming to generate new values with smart new ideas,” says Vincent Cobee, “For me, this was like confronting the very future of Nissan. We made the decision to build a series of cars in countries that transcended all markets, and in so doing, will be a superb combination of functionality, modernity, good design and handling, roominess and status satisfaction. The fact that we will not launch these cars from Japan, Europe or the U.S. will have absolutely no impact on their quality. Our proven, global high quality production system has guaranteed world-class standards.”

“My team devised a clever way to develop a competitive volume seller that will not be built in existing core markets. Not an easy combination,” adds Noritaka Tsuru. Nissan had to get production costs down, while optimizing localization efforts and local supplier networks.

“We achieved this while responding to the discerning needs of each market and without compromising quality,” adds Keno Kato. “For example, even in small cars, customers want features like latest audio system and air-conditioning. The emerging markets like China and India want all of these features now too, but at the same time, they want their cars to be as competitively priced as possible. The bottom line is that we end up with a great car by satisfying the needs and difficult requests of different customers, in both matured and emerging markets.” The development directive handed to the production team encapsulated Kato’s findings and much, much more.

This directive delivered to Cobee and Tsuru by senior management was clear but extremely challenging at the same time. “We were told from the outset,” recalls Tsuru, “that we would be working on not just a new car project, but instead a ‘breakthrough.’ The directive also stipulated that we’d be working on a series of cars, not just one model, and that we were expected to create a whole new method in the way we develop cars. And this new line-up of compact vehicles had to generate huge volume as well as profits.” Nothing of this magnitude had ever been attempted before.

Building a series of models on the same platform at three overseas production sites for sale in over 160 countries was a huge undertaking, one that required a redefining of product planning and production methods.

Meeting all the goals, and then some!

Nissan invited local engineers from the three main sites of production in India, Thailand and China to the Global Production Engineering Center (GPEC) at Nissan Zama Operations Center [just south of Tokyo] to learn the Nissan Production Way (NPW). Then the company sent Japanese support staff with their overseas counterparts back to their countries to assist with start-up procedures at all three plants. In that way, Nissan maintained its high quality levels while at the same time optimizing local production methods with a localization rate of over 80%, a critical factor to avoid unnecessary costs such as logistics and import duties. As the project was deployed in three emerging countries at the same time, local production staff and suppliers instructed in the NPW are supporting each other by exchanging information and working together on quality optimization.

All international staff are also fully aware of what this “V-Platform breakthrough” means for Nissan. To simply carry over the current platform would not have achieved the goals set in the directive. “By building a dedicated new platform for the global market, we were able to improve fuel economy and CO2 emissions and also fit the cars to a high specification while building them down to an affordable price,” stresses Cobee. He adds that to build a series of vehicles in this way also creates solid investment efficiency across the whole V-Platform lineup of vehicles while allowing the company to build a car with good performance, sharp looks and class-leading quality.

Thinking outside the box

Tsuru’s job was not just to achieve this affordable, high quality combination, he had to motivate his team to work under a very tight production cost structure. Telling his design team to forget the way they had worked up until now was hard, and they struggled. He says that working to reduce weight and costs is not normally a fun job, and his team’s initial responses reflected the hardships of the new way. “But when you strive to reduce weight and costs significantly by thinking cleverly outside the box, and then come up with breakthrough ideas to realize a product that is very attractive, then it all becomes worthwhile,” he smiles. Tsuru says that the team’s motivation increased measurably as the project progressed.

The fact that Nissan will produce these cars on the V-Platform in emerging countries is strategic and important. “We do not discriminate against emerging markets. We invest in volume-driven, multiple market-focused models that use our new platform,” says Cobee. Nissan has arrived at a stage where it is willing to build a brand new compact car and embark on major, massive global investment without making something that is over-specification. Cobee believes that 1,000,000 vehicles per year, based on the V-Platform at the project’s full ramp-up, is well within the company’s reach.

“And why not?” says Tsuru, “I’m sure customers will love the car. They will be attracted by its fun, stress-free city driving and low cost of ownership.” With cars employing small bore, clean, fuel efficient petrol and diesel engines, customers will be able to choose from a range of transmissions. “They perform superbly around town but also display great stability and poise on highways, look great, have plenty of room and offer a status level not seen on compact cars of this size before,” reinforces Cobee.

With the world premiere of Nissan’s new global compact car slated for a Geneva Motor Show reveal in early March 2010, and other models based on the same platform to follow soon after, Nissan’s new V-Platform based vehicles will set a new global standard. Stressing the company’s resolve, Tsuru threw down the gauntlet to the industry. “I am sure that unless our competitors do a greater job, our new V-Platform product will be the best compact car in the world.”

A quick google will find plenty more, e.g.

http://iroosters.com/the-speed-roost/nissan-micra/

Nissan’s New ‘V Platform’

Nissan is all set to enter the Indian Car market with the new Micra. The V platform (V for versatile), focuses on reduction in both weight and number of components. It has been designed primarily for emerging markets, while simultaneously keeping in mind the needs of Western Europe car market.

Engineered by Nissan in Japan, this platform will help phase out 18 percent component parts from V-cars than Nissan’s previous small cars.

For example, this very platform helps reduce the dashboard components from 56 to just 28. That’s 50 percent reduction in usage which simply means less production costs. For weight reduction, Nissan has used a small capacity fuel tank and a light weight exhaust system.

Design

Needless to say, the shape of the car is cute but the simple rounded lines lack the design quotient of some of the small cars already present in Indian car market. It seems that Nissan has deliberately done this to give the new Micra a practical design that is gender free and focuses more on comfort, interior space and ease of driving. And this design and look is altogether different from the Chevy Beat, Honda Jazz and other futuristic looking cars that are currently ruling the hearts of the people in the Indian car market and are favorite among the youngsters and budding IT professionals.

For Indian market, the Micra will get a long travel suspension that uses the standard layout of MacPherson struts up front and a twist beam axle at the rear. For low rolling resistance and ride comfort, Micra will get 165/70-R14 tyres.

The interiors, which are not out of the closet as yet, have been described as simple but not cheap at all. And according to the engineers at Nissan, the rear seat will be the most spacious and comfortable in its class. The roofline, which doesn’t taper towards the rear, clearly shows that the rear headroom wil also be generous. Boot space is also expected to be on the lines of the passenger cabin space.

Engine

1.2 Litre 3 Cylinder Petrol Engine

Powering the Nissan Micra will be 2 powertrains.

The first one is the all new, lightweight and fuel efficient 3 cylinder 1.2 litre engine that has an offset crankshaft and low friction piston rings. This coupled with the V platform will make the micra the most fuel effi cient of the other hatches out there in the market.

The 1.2 Litre 3 cylinder motor is a scaled down version of the XH family of four cylinder unit. The motor features a four valve per cylinder head and twin overhead cams.

On the downside, this 3 cylinder engine isnt as smooth as its 4 cylinder counterpart and the noise and vibration levels will be on the higher side as compared to the competition waiting for the Micra

According to Nissan, the new Micra will be nearly 10 percent more fuel efficient, thanks to its lightweight construction methods. This clearly shows as Micra tipped the scales at 970 kgs, which makes it one of the lightest car in its class.

1.5 Litre 65 Bhp Turbo Diesel

The other powertrain doing the duty under the Micra’s hood would be the tried and tested 1.5 litre turbo diesel, the same which powers the Renault Logan. Power output is likely to be the same as of the Logan but in the substantially lighter Micra, the 65 bhp engine will feel more efficient and powerful

I just hope the new micra whatever its specs is not made in India. It looks like ours will be made in Thailand which is not to bad but I don't think they will ever stand up to how well the k11 where when they came out. Suzuki have already had issues and issed recalls with there new Indian made alto. I would rather buy a car made in china.

Media briefing on the V-Platform, the architecture that Nissan’s Micra will be based on. No photographs were allowed inside the screening room. The details discussed follows.

New generation Micra or March will come in three forms – hatchback, sedan, compact/mini MPV
V platform is a global platform. It is developed to serve customers in India and overseas
A 3 cylinder gasoline engine will be offered on the Micra
There was no details divulged on the diesel variant, but it is in the works
Both manual and automatic variants will be developed in both RHD and LHD combination
The V platform was developed in Japan starting 2005
Micra will be launched in Thailand first in March 2010
Micra India launch will happen in May 2010
In 2011, the sedan variant will be launched
In 2012, depending on the market study, the MPV will or will not be launched locally
The car will also be manufactured in Thailand and China
Weight of the car has been kept at minimum — small fuel tank, light weight body and plastics replace steel at various points
till the expected volumes are reached, Nissan will source powertrains from Japan
An assembly line for powertrains will be sanctioned only after certain level of volume is reached
80% of the Micra will be localized to start with
Nissan claims their 3 cylinder petrol engine will be “40% more fuel efficient”
Renault has given vendor base to Nissan. Nissan has offered the V-platform to Renault, it can develop its models if desired.


Read more: http://indianautosblog.com/2009/10/nissans-v-platform-details-revealed-to-indian-media#ixzz0cSQSiy0k

if its going to have an offset crank, and be 40% more efficient it,ll probably be an electric hybrid then eh (atkinson cycle-esque)
and lightweight construction at 970kgs ffs! my 16yr old micra is only about 700kgs

frank

Hi, actually own a new Suzuki Alto GF series (made in India). Have had it a few months and haven't had any problems with it so far... Very happy with it, build quality is good and it seems to be a pretty tough and durable little car.

I haven't heard about any recall on them... you have me worried now. Do you have any more details please Micra King ?.

Edit : Don't worry checked with Suzuki Dealer... One recall notice issued in Europe for a possible issue with a seal/gasket/o ring causing a leak during refueling. Only affects a range of chassis numbers earlier than those sent to Oz..

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/246587/
The new Nissan Micra will be first shown at the Geneva motor show in March and will spawn two more variants according to company insiders.
The first versions of the new supermini are likely to hit the road in May in India, where the car is being built at all-new factory based in Chennai.
A year later a saloon version is set to be launched, although it’s unlikely to make it to the UK. In addition, a mini-MPV sharing many of the same mechanicals and built on the new V (versatile) platform will appear in 2012.
More controversially company insiders have indicated to Autocar that the next generation Renault Clio, also set to be based on the V-platform, could end up being built in India too.
This is a move that’s set to upset fiercely patriotic French buyers.