Nissan March NISMO (K13)

The major problem about having a Nissan March K13 is that it's a bit tad boring, it's too vanilla-ish, and it's only for someone who lives by eating a galunggong. There's also one big problem about the Nissan March K13 and that is...why this car hadn't been featured in the world of Gran Turismo? Sure, ranging from GT4 to GT5, only the K11 March and the K12 March were featured, and sadly, no K13 March on sight. Seems that the Gran Turismo staff kinda forgot the memo that there was a K13 March out there but its too late. The Nissan March K13 showed up in Forza Motorsport 4 as one of the starter cars so what went wrong for a Japanese eco car not featured in the world of Gran Turismo? Now though, there is a hot version that will tempt the Gran Turismo committee to feature it just for you to drive it.

2014 Nissan March NISMO

Yep, it's the Nissan March NISMO and this is just another one of the everyday Nissan cars getting the NISMO treatment since the Juke Nismo a few months ago I had my fingers crossed that this could be the one thing the upcoming Gran Turismo 6 would going to feature it if they had the manpower to feature it. So, what do you think about this potential GT6 candidate?

For starters, it was based on the recently facelifted Nissan March K13 which was built by the Thais but now, it's added some NISMO genes on it, employing every single bit of motorsports DNA in this nippy little car, serving as the target to the Toyota Vitz RS and the Suzuki Swift Sport.

Starting on the outside view, the once bland Nissan March K13 look is starting to look even meaner and sportier thanks to some NISMO-prepped modifications including a special body kit, special front grille, daytime running lamps, and the red side mirrors which seem to be idiotic like a clown at a birthday party, except he was not here to give a birthday boy some laughs but instead traumatizing the birthday boy. Ouch...

2014 Nissan March NISMO interior

Also new for the NISMO-fied version of the Nissan March K13 was the interior and because NISMO has the genes of motorsports, the interior needs to be more of a track day-ish and built for the clubmen who are starting their track days in let's just say Tsukuba, Fuji Speedway, Twin Ring Motegi, or in Suzuka. So, the NISMO March's interior is themed with the name of track days in mind and you can expect some sports seats, a leather/Alcantara wrapped steering wheel that looks like it came from the Juke but with a red center mark on it, and joy of joys...the speedo now reads up to 220kph, although it is not necessary to take a video of your speedo while driving the Nismo March because five seconds later, you'll end up crashing and when cops trying to find the source of the crash, the main evidence is your smartphone set in Camera mode, serving this a lesson.

For the first time, there are two kinds of NISMO March models to choose from ranging from different tastes and demographics suitable for each model. First is the entry-level model which comes with the HR12DE engine mated with the XTRONIC CVT, which is a bit of nonsense for performance-oriented enthusiasts but good enough to be flashy in the streets of Shibuya and get this, the driver-focused March NISMO S model which comes with a HR15DE engine specially tuned for this model, producing 116PS of power and 156Nm of torque, while mated with a (!) 5-speed manual gearbox.

So what we have here are two different March NISMO models that suit your desires. The base March NISMO model is made to be a flashy fashion item to the crowd while the March NISMO S model which comes with unique stuff, the 1.5L engine, and the manual gearbox, is suitable for the clubmen who are trying to enjoy their track day duties for the first time. Although it may not quite be called a hot hatch, this March NISMO is definitely a beginner car for the track-day boys who want to start honing their skills on the track.

Well, when I said honing their skills, perhaps some of the beginner cars can do better than that because even though the NISMO tuned suspension for the March NISMO was made to be somewhat smooth enough to eat a corner or two, on normal roads, it feels a bit too fidgety, which goes the same for those common hot hatchbacks tuned enough to be track-focused instead for everyday uses. Maybe.

For pricing, the CVT-rigged March NISMO costs 1,540,350 Yen while the March NISMO S with the 5-speed gearbox and the 1.5L engine costs 1,770,300 Yen. Whoa hang on...a March NISMO with the 5-speed gearbox costs more than the Toyota Vitz RS and the Suzuki Swift Sport? Oh well, if this is a price worth paying, it's the price worth paying for the hot March model but still, I really want the committee to consider the new March NISMO to be part of the GT6 lineup. I had my fingers crossed!

Oh yeah, this hot model will be available in Japan this December 2013, in time for the holidays.

Available colors: Pure Black, Brilliant Silver, and Brilliant White Pearl

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd

Nissan March K13 minor change

2014 Nissan March

Wow, that is quite an unpredictable scale that this opportunity might come and it seems that having been on the roads since its debut in July 2010, just three years had passed, the Nissan March K13 gained its minor change since its premiere at Bangkok Auto Show a few months ago. Of course, this is still made in Thailand but even with the new look, it's still the same eco-car March we know. It's still the car that you can afford if you were in a world where you live to eat galunggong and pancit canton for the rest of your life.

What's for this minor change? Well, obviously not well because what they did is revising the bonnet, the front wings, the headlamps, and the front bumper with a new grille. Also, the rear bumper and the LED rear lights had changed.

2014 Nissan March interior

Inside, the 2014 Nissan March is offered in available suede-like cloth and door sheets complete with silver stitching which gives it a touch of class. Also, the dashboard gained a gloss piano black finish to make it even more classier. Bonus but this isn't all about the "sugar crush" as expected.

2014 Nissan March

Despite the added changes for the 2014 model, the performance and ecology remains the same. You still have the HR12DE engine complete with XTRONIC CVT and idling stop function, giving you the JC08 Mode fuel economy of 23kmpl whatsoever. So, that's not quite as efficient as the Mitsubishi Mirage but think of the Mitsubishi Mirage as a pancit canton while the Nissan March K13 as a galunggong because the pricing is just affordable. It's like in the days when pancit canton is more affordable than a kilo of galunggong and such pricing is related to those because the 2014 March now starts at 1,042,650 Japanese Yen, that's a 44,650 Yen more than the new Mitsubishi Mirage but like the galunggong that priced more than a pack of pancit canton, it's still a bit quite tasty to have one.

Available colors: Nadeshiko Pink, Olive Gold, Crystal Lilac, Sunlight Orange, Night Bell Purple, Radiant Red, White Pearl, Brilliant Silver, and Pure Black.

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

2014 Nissan March previewed in Bangkok

2014 Nissan March

At this year's Bangkok Motor Show, Nissan used this venue to showcase the minor change version of the Nissan March/Micra K13 compact car after being in the markets since the summer of 2010. For this minor change, the March K13 features a new front view, enhanced rear lamps, and an updated interior.

The Nissan March K13 was launched in Japan since July 2010 and it was essentialy imported from Thailand. It was the first model to come with Nissan's brand new HR12DE engine which is a 1.2 L straight-3 engine that produces 59 kW (79 hp) of power and 108 N·m (80 ft·lbf) of torque.

Story: http://www.carview.co.jp/news/5/182444/

March K13 vs. Mirage A05A

Nissan March K13

Mitsubishi Mirage A05A

Both these fuel-efficient Japanese compact eco-cars, the Nissan March K13 and the all new Mitsubishi Mirage (A05A), were imported from Thailand. The K13 March was assembled in Samut Prakan while the all new Mirage was made in Laem Chabang. Tell you what though, which of these low-cost, made-in-Thailand Japanese eco-cars we think is better? It's Samut Prakan vs. Laem Chabang. Those Thais were getting crazy for letting us comparing their works.

Here's what's what...

NISSAN MARCH K13

Price: 1,036,350 - 1,644,300 Japanese Yen

Fuel Economy (JC08): 18.4 - 23.0km/L

Weight: 940- 1,040kg

Engine: 1.2L HR12DE 3-cylinder DOHC CVTC engine

Power: 79PS

Doors: 5

Seats: 5

MITSUBISHI MIRAGE (A05A)

Price: 998,000 - 1,288,000 Japanese Yen

Fuel Economy (JC08): 23.0 - 27.2km/L

Weight: 960-970kg

Engine: 1.0L 3A90 3-cylinder DOHC MIVEC engine

Power: 64PS

Doors: 5

Seats: 5

Let me put it this way, the new Mirage is a bit slower than the March K13 but let's not forget that this one has a fuel economy of 27.2km/L, that's more than the K13 but with the weight of 960kg when you go for the entry level E variant, it seems that's 20kg heavier than the entry-level March K13's 12S V Package.

When it comes to their interiors, it seems that the Nissan March K13 has a step ahead against the new Mirage's interior. Even though their a bit plain and as comfortable as a Philippine taxi, both the interiors are a bit too cheap and when you're in a driver's seat, it feels like you're in the passenger seat when it comes to its driving feel. With the seating for five, you can take three kids at the back and your wife next to you. Or, you can bring your barkadas for a trip to the mall or at McDonald's.

When it comes to the price, the Mirage is cheaper than the March K13 because it costs at around 998,000 Japanese Yen, cheaper than the March K13's 1,036,350 Japanese Yen intro price.

So here's a top tip; if you want a Thai-made Japanese eco-car that is cheap and fuel efficient, get a Mirage. Just saying....

Mitsuoka K13 Viewt

For almost two decades, the Mitsuoka Viewt (光岡 ビュート) is much more of a Nissan March in Jaguar Mark 2's clothing. This time, the new Mitsuoka Viewt still has the same Jaguar Mark 2 clothing while using the Nissan March K13 as its basis. If you think that this K13 Viewt may just be an alternative to the Autech March K13 Bolero, well sorry to disappoint.

2013 Mitsuoka Viewt

Like the previous model, the K13 Viewt still...um...pretty much the same. Is it all new or just a...you know, a nip tuck? To differentiate it, you should look to the side view that is broadly similar to the Nissan March K13 and the new back as well. If the outside view wasn't too good enough to solve, how about getting to know the K13 Viewt's interior?

2013 Mitsuoka Viewt interior

Okay, the K13 Viewt's interior is pretty much more of a coach-built version of the interior you may find on the Nissan March K13. In some models, you do get a clock but you don't if you're opted for the sat-nav option. What's more, the leather around the Viewt's interior are everywhere, providing more luxury for the passengers despite the compact sizing and this could be more of a big shot if you're driving through at some prestigious academy in Japan. Those classy high school students would think to you that you're riding a vintage car and that's sosy. What a sosy car, you'll look. And that's too sosy if you're some blonde Japanese teenage girl.

Under the bonnet, it still has the HR12DE engine mated with the XTRONIC CVT transmission. This engine churns out 79PS of power, 106Nm of torque, and that's about it.

Available colors are Wine Red Metallic, British Green, White, and Black Metallic

My comment:

Even it still has the same Jaguar Mark 2 design, this K13 Viewt is much more of a sosy version of the Nissan March K13. This is much more like a high school girl in a wealthy socialite's body giggling about her first kiss while she was in 5th grade. You wouldn't blame to see this one approaching in the streets of Tokyo and everyone would be completely fooled that you're in to that car that is more retro futuristic. Seriously? Yes my fair lady. This is how your ojousama do all the time while she's at school. Now you know.

Photo: Mitsuoka Motor

HEY WHAT'S THIS? Renault version of the Nissan March K13?!

2012 Renault Pulse

2012 Renault Pulse

You heard it right, this is the Renault version of the Nissan March K13, called the Renault Pulse, the newest Renault compact in India. The Pulse's design was made possible by the Renault Design Center at Mumbai, India and the front kinda have some kind of a hexagonal version of the Nissan GT-R R35's grille but with some Renault emblem on it. Under the bonnet, it's powered by a new K9K 1.5L diesel engine, which reflects the same philosophy as the engine used on Renault F1 cars. This is an ideal Renault compact fit enough for a slumdog millionaire to get away from it all. It will be on sale in India this January.

Scoop: http://www.cartradeindia.com/car-bike-news/renault-pulse-launched-with-actual-pulse-images-from-launch-114901.html

Chakkari-san ちゃっかりさん

Why we have to call this Chakkari? It's because here in Forza Motorsport 4, the Nissan March/Micra K13 was there and I was one of the lucky many to try out the all-new, fourth-generation, Nissan March/Micra in the game. We're gonna see how "chakkari" is this compact Nissan hatchback. I said "chakkari" because of the latest Nissan March K13 Japanese commercial with Mikako Tabe. Anyone know Mikako Tabe? No? Okay....

Familiar with this layout?

This Nissan March/Micra is attainable as one of the Forza 4 Starter Cars aside from the Toyota Aygo, Peugeot 107, Citroen C1, Vauxhall Agila, and the Chevrolet Spark. It's powered with the HR12DE engine that produces 79HP of power, and 81lb-ft of torque. Those never chose this as a starter car would have to work hard to get 10,000 CR and purchase this machine.

Chakkari-san's desperate measures

For a small hatchback like the Nissan Micra/March K13, there are endless tuning combinations. Some consider turning this into the Micra DIG-S because of the supercharger, yeah. Add some supercharger on it. Doesn't matter which tuning setup fits best as long as you find the right tuning setup matching Performance Index regulations.

Chakkari-san at The Top Gear Test Track

Guess Chakkari-san would only dream about such things. Happily however, there are endless possibilities to decorate the Micra/March K13 just the way you like it. Sometimes, you may want to try placing a license plate on the back and we believe that this is "Just For Fun".

Chakkari-san at the Nurburgring

Ah, the joys of being Chakkari-san if you are driving the Nissan Micra/March K13. It would take some time for those who chose it as a starter car but with enough practice, they are surely going to like this cute compact car even further. It's great to be the first game to feature this kind of car...

ちゃっかり!

The Three Kings of Low Fuel Consumption

Once upon a time, in the Land of the Rising Sun, there were three kings of fuel economy. First there was the fourth-generation Nissan March (known in other markets as the Micra), second was the new third-generation Toyota Vitz (Yaris), and third is the fifth-generation Daihatsu Move.

I know. Three non-hybrid cars were reigned as the three kings of low fuel consumption thanks to its idling stop technology and CVT. These two gifts that powered the Three Kings. There were like Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and King Kong. Come to think of it, the leader was none other than the new 5th-generation Daihatsu Move because of the fuel economy of 27.0km/L. The second best is the Toyota Vitz that has the fuel economy of 26.5km/L. Third place goes to the Nissan March because of the fuel economy of 26.0km/L.

I guess fuel economy is the main reason how these Three Kings behave normally in the eyes of Japanese customers. How about the target customers? The 4th-generation March is mostly targeted to someone who want a normal car and its normal behavior is the main priority. The 3rd-generation Vitz has four various styles offered for different customers. The Vitz F is made for those who want a simple vehicle, the Vitz U is rather an improved version of the Vitz F and made for advanced customers. The Vitz Jewela is made for the most fashionable people, especially the ladies. The Vitz RS is an enthusiasts' favorite because of the sporty characteristic and the manual transmission. The 5th-generation Move has two styles; the normal Move is made for simple and the Move Custom is made for those looking for style. The best variant for the Move is not always the Move Custom but its always the Move Custom RS because of the turbo engine fit for a kei car enthusiast.

Those Three Kings of low fuel consumption stand together as one for now, and always will be...

What is Nissan's Pure Drive range and how fuel-efficient are these "eco cars"?

When the fourth-generation Nissan March (built in Thailand) launched in Japan since July 2010, Nissan gave birth of the new range for eco-cars. This new range is called PURE DRIVE. Just what in the JDM world is Pure Drive?!

Pure Drive is Nissan's new range of fuel efficient cars, possessing qualities of a true eco car (a car that is fuel-efficient and eco-friendly) such as idling stop, clean diesel, and hybrid.

PURE DRIVE #1: Fourth-generation Nissan March K13

2011 Nissan March

The new, fourth-generation Nissan March (Micra in some markets), is destined to be a true eco-car in the JDM world, despite it was built from Thailand. The idling stop feature , new HR12DE engine, and XTRONIC CVT plays an important role to produce an outstanding fuel economy of 26.0km/L. For that, this is bound to be the first Pure Drive car equipped with idling stop. I can't wait for the new March to come to the Philippines as a competitor to the Suzuki Celerio.

PURE DRIVE #2: Nissan X-Trail Clean Diesel

2011 Nissan X-Trail 2.0GT

Much about the word Clean Diesel, the Nissan X-Trail Clean Diesel is equipped with the M9R engine that is turbocharged and diesel-fed but good for the environment. When the X-Trail Clean Diesel was launched in 2008, it offered in only one transmission, a 6-speed Manual, then in Summer 2010, Nissan added a 6-speed auto for the X-Trail Clean Diesel. The Nissan X-Trail 2.0GT Clean Diesel can go as much as 14.2 (6AT) to 15.2 (6MT). Hope that this will be a good addition to our lineup because this is diesel-fed and it can withstand the challenge led by diesel-fed SUVs

PURE DRIVE #3: Nissan Fuga Y51 Hybrid

2011 Nissan Fuga Hybrid

Nissan's first hybrid car that was now on sale in Japan and soon in other countries as the Infiniti M35 Hybrid. The Nissan Fuga Hybrid is equipped with the 3.5 V6 hybrid engine that has a fuel economy of 19.0km/L. Compare this fuel efficiency to the Toyota Crown Hybrid and the Nissan Fuga Hybrid wins. This is the true opulent eco car built for the environment-conscious and wealthy people.

PURE DRIVE # 4: New Nissan Serena C26

2011 Nissan Serena

Most JDM minivans are going to be upset because the new Serena C26 is equipped with the new MR20DD direct-injection engine combined with idling stop (found in the March K13) and XTRONIC CVT, providing an opulent fuel efficiency of 15.4km/L! Good enough to outperform the likes of the Noah, Voxy, StepWGN, or even the StepWGN Spada, unfortunately the new Premacy outperforms the new Nissan Serena C26 in the performance side. A very good eco van we wish to have it to the Philippines because this is even greater than the Yulon-built C24 Serena we had.

These are the cars of the Nissan Pure Drive range. In the future, Nissan will release more eco cars straight from the Pure Drive range and who knows eco cars are over the future.

More info (Japanese only):

http://www.nissan.co.jp/PUREDRIVE

The New Fourth-Generation Nissan March

In Japan, most cars that are Japan-branded but built in other countries such as the U.S., Thailand, or U.K., they do not enjoy much success as true Japanese-built cars, like for instance the Toyota Avalon/Pronard, Honda Fit Aria (the JDM Honda City), Mitsubishi Triton (known by Filipinos as the Strada) and the Toyota Avensis. Today, the latest Nissan March (known in other countries as the Micra) is another one of the Japanese cars built from other countries, and this latest-generation was built in Thailand, much like the Japanese cars in the Philippines that were built in Thailand where success is inevitable. Would this Thai-built Japanese compact car become a major success or a major flop in the eyes of Japanese female buyers? It is time to find out how the new March shares a mixture of Japan's Miso soup and Thailand's Tom Yum soup.

The new March sports a cute exterior face that resembles more from the previous generation model, but this new generation model's cute look is not the kind of March you expect because this is plainer than the JDM Suzuki Alto. This plain characteristic also applies to the interior as well, meaning the comfort is rather unquestionable to seat. If I would choose between the new March's interior and the new Toyota Passo +Hana's interior, I would rather pick the +Hana's interior because it is stylish than the cheap interior of the new March.

With the Toyota Passo comes with the 1.0L and the 1.3L engine types, the Thai-built March only comes with the HR12DE engine which has 79PS of power output that is greater than the Passo's 1.0L engine's 69PS power output. The base engine's fuel economy of 24.0km/L is sure enough to obliterate the sweet little Toyota Passo. Combine the new March's HR12DE engine with Nissan's Pure Drive (which is like Mazda's i-Stop) idling stop system and you will have the most fuel-efficient engine combined with XTRONIC CVT. This fuel-efficient combo is sure enough to be as fuel efficient as Japanese kei cars, even when the Nissan March is not classified as a kei car.

There is also an Autech-modified version of the March made to be somewhat retro. It is called the March Bolero, now made even better.





My thoughts about the March:

I guess I can take it all back about what I said about Japanese cars built from other countries. This Thai-built Japanese compact is the most fuel-efficient compact car engineered thanks to the combo of the HR12DE engine, CVT, and Nissan's Pure Drive idling stop system. There were some Japanese cars built from other countries enjoyed their JDM success such as the Honda Civic Type R Euro and the Suzuki Splash. I guess this latest generation model will have its true potential of becoming the most fuel-efficient vehicle ever made. Because we, Filipinos, enjoyed playing with Japanese cars built from ASEAN countries, I am assuming that this new March will have a probability of reaching our shores soon. Now what we need is a sporty SR variant or the super turbo, but scrap it away folks, because this car will always be targeted by women.