Tokyo - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the domestic release of the new March following the implementation of a minor model change. Joining the lineup this time is the new March Box. Models mounted with a 1.0-liter engine and the new HYPER CVT continuously variable transmission are scheduled to be released on December 1.

The March (Micra) has won high accolades from customers both at home and abroad for its refined design and convenient vehicle size that allows agile maneuverability in city driving.

Among the improvements made this time, the March now features Nissan's newly developed HYPER CVT for application to 1.0- to 1.3-liter class cars, and 4WD models have been added to the lineup for the first time. Another notable addition to the lineup is the new March Box that was displayed as a reference model at the 33rd Tokyo Motor Show this year and drew an enthusiastic response from show visitors. While continuing the March's outstanding agility and elegant design, the March Box has an enlarged luggage area with greatly improved storage capacity, making it ideal for a broad range of uses, from everyday driving needs to weekend and holiday leisure trips.

Both the March and the March Box are fitted with Nissan's new HYPER CVT developed for use on 1.0- to 1.3-liter class vehicles, thereby achieving improved start-off acceleration performance and enhanced driveability at very low vehicle speeds. This new CVT also delivers approximately 10% better fuel economy than the previous N-CVT. In addition, the 3-door G# and 5-door Autostrada models are available with the HYPER CVT-M6 unit that incorporates a 6-speed manual shift mode to let drivers enjoy sporty driving performance.

The 4WD models newly added to the lineup this time combine the HYPER CVT with the compact, lightweight Auto Control 4WD system that has been a popular feature on the Wingroad and the Serena. This remarkable combination of cutting-edge technologies achieves low fuel consumption while delivering smooth, powerful driving performance.

In addition, the engine selection generates greater power and torque, thanks mainly to the increased displacement of the 1.3-liter engine and higher compression ratio of the 1.0-liter engine. These and other improvements result in nimbler driving performance with snappier response.

All March models comply with Japan's 2000 exhaust emission regulations and also meet Japan's Transitional Low-Emission Vehicle (J-TLEV) exhaust gas levels, which require a further 25% reduction of hydrocarbon (HC) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from next year's standards. The J-TLEV levels are specified by the Environment Agency's technical guidelines on exhaust emissions of low-pollution vehicles.

Overview of March Box
1. Roomy, comfortable interior and enlarged luggage space
Storage capacity has been substantially increased by extending the length of the luggage area by 240 mm to enlarge its cargo carrying space and by providing a box underneath the luggage area as well as handy side pockets. The rear hatch has a pull handle and a back door handle for enhanced opening and closing ease.

Standard on all models are rear seats with a 60/40 split folding seatback and which can be flipped and folded effortlessly with one hand. The car's overall height has also been raised by 25 mm to allow more headroom for greater occupant comfort and to secure a larger luggage area.

2. Exterior and interior design
Multi-reflector headlamps and restyled tail lamps have been adopted along with a handsome chrome-plated radiator grille to enhance the car's stellar-quality appearance.

The rear hatch gate has been restyled to augment the stable look of the rear design while retaining the styling cues that have traditionally distinguished the March.

Body-colored half-wheel covers further highlight the attractive design.

The March Box offers a selection of four exclusive body colors: Terra-cotta Orange Metallic, Opal Silver Titanium Metallic, Opal Blue Titanium Metallic and Dark Blue.

The interior is handsomely trimmed with seat fabrics exclusive to the March Box.

Overview of New March
1. Featuring the new HYPER CVT for 1.0- to 1.3-liter class vehicles
The new HYPER CVT adopts a torque converter for enhanced start-off acceleration performance and improved driveability at very low vehicle speeds. It also incorporates full electronic control of speed ratio changes to provide approximately 10% better fuel economy than the existing N-CVT.

The 3-door G# and 5-door Autostrada models are available with the HYPER CVT-M6 featuring a 6-speed manual shift mode operated by steering wheel-mounted switches. This unit enables drivers to enjoy sporty driving performance with the pleasure of manual shifting.

2. 4WD March models available for the first time
The 4WD models adopt the Auto Torque Control (ATC) Coupling that optimally distributes drive torque to the front and rear wheels according to the road surface condition and vehicle speed. In addition, the 4WD system has been reduced in size and weight largely by integrating the rear final drive unit with the coupling and by adopting a three-joint propeller shaft, making it possible to achieve superior driving performance combined with low fuel consumption. Moreover, the 4WD system is combined with the HYPER CVT to enable the 4WD models to deliver smooth, powerful driving performance together with excellent fuel economy.

3. Improved engine performance
The power output of the 1.0-liter CG10DE engine has been improved from 43 to 44 kW (58 to 60 PS)* and its torque from 79 to 82 Nm (8.1 to 8.6 kgm)*.

The displacement of the 1.3-liter CGA3DE engine has been increased from 1.274 to 1.348 liters, boosting its power from 58 to 63 kW (79 to 85 PS)* and its torque from 106 to 120 Nm (10.8 to 12.2 kgm)*.

*The International System of Units (SI) has been adopted for indicating engine power and torque in line with the international standardization of measurement units. Accordingly, the previously used PS unit for engine power and kg-m unit for engine torque have been changed to kilowatts (kW) and newton-meters (Nm), respectively. Power and torque figures are converted according to 1 PS = 0.7355 kW and 1 kg-m = 9.80655 N-m and are expressed as whole numbers rounded off to the nearest integer.

4. Changes in appearance
Multi-reflector headlamps and restyled tail lamps have been adopted to enhance the car's look of stellar quality. A selection of three attractive body colors is offered—Storm Gray Titanium Pearl Metallic, Sparking Orange Metallic and Aqua Green Metallic.

5. Changes in interior trim and appointments
The 3-door G#, 5-door Autostrada, A# and Collet are attractively upholstered with seat fabrics newly adopted for these models. Standard appointments now include a remote control entry system with an exclusively designed March key incorporating a lamp indicator for confirming the door status and a 2DIN two-speaker, electronically tuned AM/FM radio with integrated CD/cassette player (excluding i-z models).

6. Safety and environmental friendliness
Safety performance has been significantly improved by adopting the high-strength Zone Body construction, Braking Assist (all models) and a driver's power window with a mechanism for preventing fingers and arms from being caught during one-touch operation by automatically reversing the direction of window movement (excluding i-z models). The window can be operated even after the ignition key has been turned off.

All March models are in compliance with Japan's 2000 exhaust emission regulations. Moreover, they also comply with the J-TLEV exhaust gas levels specified by the Environment Agency's technical guidelines on exhaust emissions of low-pollution vehicles which require a further 25% reduction of HC and NOx emissions from the 2000 standards. Additionally, all March models meet the standards of the designated low-pollution vehicle system adopted by seven prefectures and cities in the Kanto region and those of the designated low-NOx vehicle system adopted by six prefectures and cities in the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe region.

Under Japan's revised fiscal 1999 tax code, all March models qualify for a reduction of the automobile acquisition tax*1 as a preferential tax measure for low pollution vehicles. Moreover, 1.0-liter models fitted with the HYPER CVT or with the 5-speed manual transmission also qualify for a reduction of the automobile acquisition tax*2 as a preferential tax measure for low fuel consumption vehicles.

*1The automobile acquisition tax on vehicles complying with Japan's 2000 exhaust emission regulations will be reduced by 1% until September 30, 2000. From October 1, 2000 to February 28, 2001, the tax will be reduced by 0.1% for vehicles in compliance with these regulations.
*2The automobile acquisition tax on vehicles complying with Japan's fiscal 2010 fuel economy standards and registered for private use will be reduced by **15,000 until March 31, 2001. It should be noted that the automobile acquisition tax cannot be reduced simultaneously with the reduction allowed under item *1 above. One of the two tax reduction measures must be selected.

Price Range and Sales Target
The new March and the new March BOX are priced in a range from 947,000 yen to 1,436,000 yen nationwide.
The March BOX(1.0)(Photo) is priced at 1,288,000 yen . The March 3-door Collet (1.0L 2WD)(Photo) is priced at 1,083,000 yen.
Nissan project a monthly sales volume of 5,000units.(March:4,500, March BOX:500)

SPECIFICATIONS OF MARCH
Grade Collet(3 Door / Gasoline 1000, HYPER CVT, 2WD)
Overall Length (mm) 3,720
Overall Width (mm) 1,585
Overall Height (mm) 1,425
Wheelbase (mm) 2,360
Tread Front (mm) 1,365 Rear (mm) 1,325
Ground Clearance(mm) 150
Curb Weight (kg) 850
Turning Radius (m) 4.6
Steering Rack & pinion with power assistance
Suspension Front Independent, struts Rear 5-link coil springs
Brakes Front Ventilated disks Rear Leading - trailing
Tires Front 155/70R13 75S Rear 155/70R13 75S
Engine
Type CG10DE , DOHC In-line 4
Displacement (L) 0.997 Bore * Stroke (mm) 71.0 * 63.0
Max. Power (kW/rpm) 44/6000
Max. Torque (Nm/rpm) 84/4000
Compression Ratio 9.8:1
Induction EGI(ECCS)
Transmission
HYPER CVT
Gear Ratio
Forward 2.432-0.442
Reverse 1.931
Final 6.360

Grade BOX(1.0) (5 Door / Gasoline 1000, HYPER CVT,2WD)
Overall Length (mm) 3,980
Overall Width (mm) 1,585
Overall Height (mm) 1,450
Wheelbase (mm) 2,360
Tread Front (mm) 1,365 Rear (mm) 1,325
Ground Clearance(mm) 150
Curb Weight (kg) 920
Turning Radius (m) 4.6
Steering Rack & pinion with power assistance
Suspension Front Independent, struts Rear 5-link coil springs
Brakes Front Ventilated disks Rear Leading - trailing
Tires Front 155/70R13 75S Rear 155/70R13 75S
Engine
Type CG10DE , DOHC In-line 4
Displacement (L) 0.997 Bore * Stroke (mm) 71.0 * 63.0
Max. Power (kW/rpm) 44/6000
Max. Torque (Nm/rpm) 84/4000
Compression Ratio 9.8:1
Induction EGI(ECCS)
Transmission
HYPER CVT
Gear Ratio
Forward 2.432-0.442
Reverse 1.931
Final 6.360

In conjunction with the minor model change implemented for the March, Autech Japan, Inc., a Nissan affiliate, today released throughout Japan the March Bolero and March Rumba, both of which feature special specifications, and the March Enchante and March Driving Helper lifecare vehicles.* All of these models come with improved specifications and appointments.

*Nissan Group companies use the term lifecare vehicle (LV) to refer to vehicles that are specifically designed to assist persons with special mobility needs in their everyday lives.

Overview of New March Bolero and March Rumba
The March Bolero continues the previous model's stellar quality appearance accentuated by highly popular chrome-plated parts. On the inside, it adopts a three-spoke steering wheel, combining wood-grain spokes with a genuine leather covering, and wood-grain paneling. In addition, the interior's look of premium quality has been further enhanced by the total coordination scheme that includes the use of beige-colored instrumentation and exclusive seat fabrics.

The March Rumba also adopts beige-colored instrumentation and exclusive seat fabrics imbued with a serene look, among other new features that update the interior design.

Price Range
The new March Bolero and the new March Rumba are priced in a range from 1,178,000 yen to 1,590,000 yen nationwide.

Overview of New March Enchante and March Driving Helper
The March Enchante is specifically designed for people who experience difficulty in entering and exiting vehicles, such as persons who feel knee or hip pain as a result of increasing age or have leg disabilities. To facilitate easy ingress/egress, it is fitted with a “swivel passenger's seat" that turns manually 90 toward the outside.

The March Driving Helper comes with various driving assistance features that enable persons with leg disabilities to drive, including manual controls for operating the accelerator and brakes by hand. In this new March Driving Helper, the swivel driver's seat has been changed to a seat with a folding side extension to improve ease of ingress/egress for wheelchair users. This same seating system is already available on the Cube Driving Helper.

Price Range
The new March Enchante is priced in a range from 1,170,000 yen to 1,407,000 yen nationwide.
The new March Driving Helper is priced in a range from 1,250,000 yen to 1,487,000 yen nationwide.