Nissan Micra DIG-S at Geneva, no plans for Australia

Powered by Nissan’s DIG-S (Direct Injection Gasoline-Supercharger) engine, the hybrid-rivalling 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine produces 72kW of power and 142Nm of torque.

Nissan says fewer moving parts in the three-cylinder construction leads to reduced friction, while start-stop and brake energy regeneration have also been integrated to keep fuel consumption and emissions down.

Sales of the Nissan Micra DIG-S will begin in Europe around the middle of the year, but Nissan Australia’s Jeff Fisher said there were currently no plans to introduce the fuel-sipping Micra to Australia.

The Micra is currently sold with two different petrol engines in Australia: a 56kW/100Nm version of the 1.2-litre three-cylinder, and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit with 75kW and 136Nm.

Combined cycle fuel consumption ranges from 5.9 to 6.6 litres/100km in the line-up, well above the 4.1 litres/100km figure of the DIG-S.

Mr Fisher said there was always demand for lower fuel consumption vehicles in the market, but he said this specific engine was designed with European emissions standards in mind.

He explained emissions-saving technology would be slower to reach Australia as we are not under the same immediate pressure as European countries.

He said many Australian customers in the market for a light car were not prepared to pay extra for a vehicle with lower emissions.

The top of the line Micra Ti currently starts at $16,990 in Australia ($18,990 automatic), and a vehicle equipped with the DIG-S engine would bring with it an even higher starting price.

The 2011 Nissan Micra DIG-S will hit the stand at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1.