C+C = winning formula One flash of the Micra's bug-eyed headlights

0 Comments | Sunday Herald, The, May 14, 2006 | by Phil Vaughan

IT'S a toss-up as to which is the hottest buy on the high street right now: designer sunglasses or small convertibles.

The two certainly go together, though, as Britain's love affair with little convertibles continues unchecked.

Each summer season brings with it a new leader of the drop-top pack, and last year the Ford StreetKa was the darling of bright young things nationwide.

This year, it rests upon the shoulders of the Nissan Micra C C to lead the way among the supermini set's sun-seekers.

The little Nissan is different from many rivals, in that it looks more the oddball with the roof up; no doubt Micra lovers will argue that this is part of the appeal.

C for convertible, yes, but C for Coupe not really.

But any thoughts in that direction quickly disappear in 22 seconds, maximum when you hit just the one switch to a slinky and seductive design when the hard-top is motored down and away into the boot.

The lure is that cute stunted nose, with bug-eyed headlights and stepped shoulders a realistic design alternative from the rivals' straight screen-to-airdam frontwards slope, with nothing to break the flow of glass into metal.

But look at the Micra C C, in open-air mode, and you'll see almost a different car every time. One minute those lights draw the eye, then it's the stepped wings or the grille and foglights.

That styling trick will keep the car fresh in the minds of both owners and would-be buyers, and should give the firm many years of sales service with little, or no, tweaking.

More appeal comes by way of two back seats, but those in the tested 1.6 Essenza saw more use as a place for coats, handbags and briefcase than passengers. Those rear chairs do look curvy and stylish, and the flagship Essenza's leather seat insets lifted the C C rather nicely into the luxury bracket.

This model costs pounds-14,995, with the 1.6 Sport pounds-1000 less, and the starter model, the 1.4 litre Urbis, priced at pounds- 13,190.

The Micra's C C size means that both these petrol engines perform adequately, with the 1598cc unit's performance figures at 10 seconds for the 0-60mph sprint, and a maximum 119mph.

The 1.4 does 109mph tops, and hits 60mph in 12.1 seconds.

Thirst compares favourably, too:

42.8mpg on the combined run in the 1.4, and 42.2mpg in the 1.6.

If you're prepared to do without air conditioning (an optional buy), and a few bits of plush, then the 1.4 Urbis becomes the best buy. All models have get-you-home lights, powered windows, trip computer, radio/CD player, powered, heated door mirrors, sports seats, and lots more.

Essenza adds heated front seats good if you want brazen it out, roof down, on a dry winter's day electronic stability, auto aircon, a neat intelligent key system, six-CD changer, tinted headlamps and alloy pedals and door kicker plates.

There's little to criticise in terms of ride and drive the C C suffers no real faults on the open road, other than the expected extra wind noise.

NEED TO KNOW

Nissan Micra C C 1.6 Essenza, two-door convertible, pounds- 14,995 1598cc, 108bhp 4-cylinder engine, driving front wheels through 5-speed manual gearbox

Top speed: 119mph; 0-60mph in 10 seconds

Fuel economy: city 32.5mpg, country 50.4mpg, combined 42.2mpg

Insurance group: six