Latest news with #Renault5
NZ Autocar
5 days ago
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
Nissan may sell its HQ to save funds
Amid a series of cost-cutting efforts (outlined here) in its fight for survival, Nissan may sell off its global headquarters. Following a massive loss reported for the last financial year the struggling Japanese automaker may sell off its Yokohama base. Located in the Minato-Mirai 21 district, the building is estimated to be worth over 100 billion yen ($NZ1.2b). Now Nikkei Asia reports the building appears on a list of assets Nissan intends to sell before the end of the financial year. The company's newly appointed CEO, Ivan Espinosa, has announced upcoming asset sales. However, he has not yet specifically mentioned Nissan HQ. If it does sell, it may lease the building instead. McLaren did a similar thing a few years ago. Some of Sunderland's spare capacity might be used by Chinese partner, Dongfeng. Nissan is embarking on a major cost-cutting scheme. It will likely close up to seven factories, including two domestic sites. The workforce will significantly downsize, with 20,000 jobs going in the coming years. Espinosa said that former management mishandled things by opting to go large in 2015. Nissan started building more plant and was aiming for sales of eight million units eventually. Now it is selling under half that annually. Nissan is also halting the development of certain models to cut costs. Six vehicle platforms will go, leaving just seven in the line-up. The company is also busy unifying more products and in doing so will reduce parts complexity by 70 percent. Nissan is also trying to determine how to survive on its own after a recent failed merger with Honda. Around 3000 R&D staff are now working on cost cutting initiatives. New Euro-only Micra is based heavily on Renault 5. Badge-engineered cars like the Micra/Renault 5 will help bring new models to market at a reduced cost. Nissan will also strengthen its partnership with Mitsubishi to accelerate the development of new products. It might even allow its Chinese partner, Dongfeng, to build cars at some of its underused factories, like Sunderland.
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Automotive
- RTÉ News
Toyota to launch Rav 4 plug-in with extended range
Toyota's latest iteration of the Rav 4 plug-in is to have a significant increase in battery capacity that the company says will allow it to drive in electric mode for up to 100 kilometres. The revised vehicle should be in Ireland by early next year and will be similar in size to the current model. The new car's designers have opted for a more rugged look compared to the softer profile of the current car, with more prominent wheel arches and a boxier, more angular shape overall. There's a new 22.7 kWh battery to increase the electric range to 100 kilometres, which Toyota says will be sufficient to meet most drivers' needs. In addition, a new 50 kWh on-board charger will be able to get the battery from 10 to 80 per cent capacity in about 30 minutes, which will be a welcome development for PHEV drivers used to slower charging times. Non-fast charger times have also been improved. The 150 kWh motor - an increase of 16 kWh - delivers better acceleration, and a new cooling system has been developed to keep the battery operating at optimum efficiency. A full hybrid version, with a 2.5 engine, will also be introduced. In what should be a welcome development, Toyota will introduce a new software package with the new Rav4, and a 12.9" infotainment screen will have better and faster connectivity. The car's standard safety package has also been improved, with an enhanced pre-collision system and better lane-changing capacity. Voice commands will allow the driver to direct navigation, media, in-car temperature, and vehicle control. The driver's screen will be a 12.3" unit. On the EV front, Nissan has revealed its electric version of the Micra - one of the world's enduring city cars. Closely related to the new electric Renault 5, the Micra has some retro touches, such as the front and rear lights, that nod to previous versions of the car, first launched in 1982. The electric Micra will have two battery options - a 40 kWh unit with a claimed range of 310 kilometres and a 52 kWh unit with a claimed range of 408 kilometres. Nissan says the car should be capable of a fast charge capacity of 15 to 80 per cent in 30 minutes. A heat pump, which allows for better efficiency in colder weather, will be standard. Interestingly, the car weighs in at 1,400 kg, which should help significantly with range. The boot capacity is a practical 326 litres. From the mid-range up, the Micra will have a Google-powered infotainment system for its 10.1" screen and the interior has been given a significant upgrade. A comprehensive safety system is also included.
TimesLIVE
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
The Nissan Micra has been reborn as an all-electric hatchback
After a brief hiatus the Nissan Micra has returned as a suave-looking electric B-segment hatchback. If it seems like you've seen it before, that's because you have — this sixth-generation model is a reclothed version of the new Renault 5. While the two cars bear a striking resemblance, the Micra sports a more rounded front end with a longer, taller bonnet and a pair of oval LED daytime running lights that pay homage to headlamp design of its third-generation predecessor. It also gets a noticeably more pronounced front spoiler, chunkier wheel arches lipped with protective black cladding and something Nissan calls an ice cream scoop: a 1cm wide indent that runs from the front to the rear of the back passenger door. It's apparently reminiscent of the shape a scoop would make if dragged across the surface of untouched ice cream. 18" alloy wheels are standard and customers can choose between three model grades (Active, Iconic or Sport) and a total of 14 contemporary exterior colours. The cabin is a dead ringer for the one doing duty inside its Renault 5 sibling and shares the same basic layout and digital accoutrement, with two large 10.1" screens fitted to the dashboard. The one in front of the driver acts as an instrument cluster while the other is a dedicated multimedia touchscreen with a bright, flowing interface supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Running the latest iteration of NissanConnect, it further offers Google built-in services giving owners access to a plethora of downloadable apps, various media streaming services and voice control functionality (Google Assistant). Subtle differentiation is provided by a moulded outline of Japan's most famous landmark, Mount Fuji, incorporated into the storage space between the front seats; three options of upholstery trim (Modern, Audacious or Chill) and customisable ambient lighting with 48 hues. While the front cabin is fitted with ample storage bins for oddments, the boot offers 326 l of luggage space. Added practicality is offered by the 60:40 split folding rear seats. From launch, Nissan is offering the Micra with a choice of two powertrains, both of which use front-mounted synchronous electric motors of varying output. Tipping the scales at 1,400kg and juiced by a 40kWh battery pack, the entry-level model makes 90kW and 225Nm of torque and offers a maximum driving range of up to 308km. The 1,524kg flagship gets a larger 52kWh battery and puts out a more substantial 110kW/245Nm while range increases to 407km. DC rapid charging up to 100kW is supported (15% to 80% charge in 30 minutes) as is bidirectional AC charging, which effectively turns the Micra into a four-wheeled power bank — something that would make it most useful during load-shedding. Unfortunately, as is the case with the Renault 5, it's not going to be making its way to South Africa any time soon. European deliveries, however, will commence later this year.
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Nissan Micra returns as electric hatch with oddball looks
The Nissan Micra has been reinvented for the electric era. Image: Supplied Nissan is returning to the B-segment hatchback market in Europe with a sixth-generation Micra, but it's nothing like the ones that came before it. As a purely electric hatch, the Micra is closely based on the new Renault 5, even sharing body panels such as the doors with its recently reintroduced French sibling. However, the Micra has unique front and rear styling, with large, round LED rings surrounding the headlights, and the taillights adopting a similar shape. These front lights perform a 'welcome wink' by pulsing from left to right and then back again upon unlocking the car. The new Micra is based on the Renault 5. Image: Supplied Despite its compact size, the Micra is available with three different 18-inch wheel designs, as well as 14 exterior colour combinations, including contrasting roof colours. The vehicle will be available with two powertrain combinations. The entry-level 90kW motor pairs with a 40kWh battery, offering a claimed range of 309km, while the perkier 110kW variant packs a 52kWh battery and covers up to 407km. The cabin features two 10.1-inch configurable screen displays, and incorporates Japanese design cues such as a moulded outline of Japan's Mount Fiji on the storage space between the front seats, while the ambient lighting system has 48 different colour options. Customers can choose from three trim flavours: Modern, Audacious and Chilli. The Franco-Japanese cabin has some unique Nissan touches. Image: Supplied 'In designing the sixth generation of the MICRA, we've celebrated all the values that have historically made it so popular – and opened a new chapter for Micra as an EV,' said Giovanny Arroba, Vice President of Nissan Design Europe. 'The exterior has an audacious and playful appearance on first look but has a stance which gives it a solid presence on the road. We've also been able to integrate delightful details into the design, which owners will love.' The new Micra is one of four fully electric models that Nissan plans to introduce in Europe by 2027. At this stage it is unknown whether any of these will make their way to South Africa, whose line-up is currently dominated by the Indian-built Magnite and locally-produced Navara bakkie, as question marks hang over the future of the Rosslyn factory. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel IOL
The Citizen
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Nissan Micra makes comeback as restyled EV-only Renault 5
Earmarked predominantly for Europe means the Micra is unlikely to return to South Africa anytime soon. Modelled on the Renault 5, the Micra will now, solely, be offered as an EV. Image: Nissan Teased as far back as 2022, with comparatively little having emerged since then, Nissan has resumed its Re:Nissan restructuring strategy with the unveiling of the all-new sixth generation Micra. New approach Billed as a key model for the struggling marque, the Micra signals the biggest departure of any previous generation in that it adopts an electric-only powertrain sourced from alliance partner, Renault. ALSO READ: All-electric Nissan Micra successor teased Effectively a restyled take on the new Renault 5 E-Tech, the Micra retains the same dimensions, but incorporates a model unique appearance in that the bonnet, 18-inch alloy wheels, circular LED daytime running lights that 'wink' when the doors are unlocked and front bumper are all new. Rear has been restyled to indirectly resemble that of the AMC Pacer. Image: Nissan Retaining the same side profile as the Renault, complete with the hidden rear door handles recessed into the C-pillar, at the rear, the almost AMC Pacer-inspired redesign comprises a new bumper, circular light clusters, a central LED bar with a lettered Nissan script, and a slightly bigger window with a U-shaped design. Inside Inside, the interior, sans the Nissan badge on the steering wheel, is near identical to that of the Renault as the column shift selector has been carried over, along with the pair of 10.1-inch displays for the infotainment system and instrument cluster. Sans the Nissan badged steering wheel, the interior has been carried over largely unchanged from the Renault 5. Image: Nissan Offered in a choice of three seat upholstery options, notable standard spec, depending on trim grade, consists of ambient lighting, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a drive mode selector with four settings – Eco, Comfort, Sport and Perso – and Nissan's latest ProPILOT semi-autonomous driving system. Goodbye combustion Sharing the 5's AmpR platform means not only the same dimensions and boot space – 326-litres to 1 106-litres with the 60/40 split rear seat folded – but also choice of battery packs, of which two will be available. Boot space is rated at 326-litres with the rear seats up. Image: Nissan Entrusted with moving 1 400 kg, the entry-level 40-kWh battery develops 90kW/225Nm, which translates to a claimed range of 308 km and DC charging capability up to 80 kW. With the bigger 52-kWh battery, the Micra produces 110kW/245Nm, which Nissan says will lead to a range of 408 km between trips to the plug. Tasked with moving 1 524 kg, the 52-kWh Micra supports DC charging up to 100 kW, and will require a waiting time of 30 minutes from 15-80%. Buyers will have an eventual choice of three upholsteries. Image: Nissan In both cases, the Micra supports vehicle-to-load (V2L) bi-directional charging, although like the Renault, no official figures were announced. Not for us Heading to Europe later this year with pricing to the announced then, the Micra is not expected to make its return to South Africa anytime soon as it has been earmarked mainly for the Old Continent. NOW READ: It is back: Renault 5 finally revealed as a retro-styled dedicated EV
