Nissan Micra XE diesel base variant launched for Rs 5.57 lakh

Nissan has launched an entry level diesel variant of its Micra hatchback for Rs 5.57 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).  The XE variant will be the 12th addition to the Micra line up in India and will commence sales from September 4.

The XE variant has managed a price cut by giving away a few luxuries while still holding onto essential amenities like tilt steering and driver airbag. What the base variant misses out on, as compared to the Rs 43,000 more expensive XL variant are body coloured ORVMs, bumpers and door handles along with the chrome grille and the LED tail lamp cluster.

On the inside, the cost cutting has resulted in Nissan doing away with power windows, keyless entry, follow me home head lamps and even front speakers. Most of the chrome additions to the interiors have been replaced by plastic claddings, while the cup holders, the bottle holders and the NVH package have also got the axe.

The underpinnings remain untouched and this means that the Micra XE is powered by the 1.5-litre K9K diesel engine that makes 64PS power and 160Nm torque while being mated to a conventional five-speed manual gearbox.

The timing and the price tag indicate that the decision is likely to have been influenced by the launch of the Hyundai Grand i10, which has a diesel Magna variant priced very close to the Micra XE. But the striped down feature list makes one feel, that Nissan has taken the axing a step further than required in a bid to price the car more competitively.  

Also read our comprehensive review of the Nissan Micra