2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 15:44
Nissan positions a small car under the legendary Micra for the first time. The identical sister of the Suzuki Alto is aiming for Silver Ager instead of top models.
By Thomas Flehmer
It is perfectly normal for families to sometimes not run so smoothly, given the different interests of each individual family member. Depending on the divergence of the different views, a dispute arises or a compromise is reached in order to be able to continue to live together properly.
For the first time below the Micra
Less than a month after the presentation of the Suzuki Alto, Nissan has now presented the Pixo. For the Japanese automaker, the move into what is currently the very attractive segment of micro-cars, the small car, is an absolute premiere.
For over 25 years the Micra has held the Benjamin part within the family. But the climate debate and high gasoline prices drove those responsible into the A segment. In order to save on development and production costs, a cooperation was agreed with Suzuki, the result of which is the Alto and now the Pixo.
Identical vehicles
To anticipate: both vehicles are not just sisters, but almost twins. Identical platform, identical engine, identical interior, even the rear lights do not cause any differences. The only difference between the two is, of course, in the front area and slightly at the rear of the 3.57 meter short miniature car. Not only to be able to differentiate between the two siblings, Nissan installed the headlights, grilles, bumpers and bonnet typical of the group. At the other end, the sauce catchers also stand out and the wheel covers and seat cushions are also different. But even siblings don't always wear the same clothes.
The good and bad properties are uniform. The 68 hp three-cylinder only needs 4.4 liters of gasoline and emits just 103 grams of CO2 per kilometer. The spatial structure is quite large for a little one. With a wheelbase of 2.36 meters, four people fit well into the spartan interior, but those in the rear are somewhat disadvantaged. But the Pixo is not supposed to drive the four occupants from Berlin to Rome either, but is for everyday use and not intended to constantly challenge the top speed of 155 km / h.
Small turning circle
Because with a turning circle of 9.0 meters, the Pixo makes up for its disadvantages in the traffic light sprint. Parking problems occur less often for Nissan's little ones, which is also offered with an automatic version. Only 129 liters of luggage space are available for this, which can increase to 747 liters at the expense of the people in the rear.
The two siblings do not want to provoke a quarrel with the target groups. While Suzuki, as sponsor of “Germany's next top model”, has its eye on the younger generation, the Pixo is being pushed as a “green city car” on the online portals of the 50+ generation. The Silver Ager were already addressed by Nissan with the mid-range model Tiida.
Relax the lover
While both sisters avoid each other in the target groups, there will soon be contrite faces at Suzuki, as if one sister of the other had taken the lover off. Because Nissan offers the Pixo for 7990 euros, which is a whole thousand euros cheaper than Suzuki's Alto, in this segment these are worlds.
And it is precisely the price difference that will mean that not only the actual target group of Nissan will feel addressed, but also the younger generation that Suzuki actually wanted to cover. The cat war is inevitable.
