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Nargess Shahmanesh-Banks test drives the new Nissan Micra

Nissan has come a long way in terms of brand image. A highly innovative design studio headed by the charismatic Shiro Nakamura in Japan, teamed with the European design centre set in the heart of trendy London as well as a US creative centre in sunny California have ensured a strong design DNA that has made its mark on all Nissan products. What is even more reassuring is that even a small, relatively inexpensive city car like the Micra has not been spared the whole treatment.

There are two model lines for the new Micra: the Classic grades with their emphasis on comfortable elegance, and the Sports models representing a new racy side to the Micra and exemplified by the new 160SR with its brand new 1.6-litre engine. The most noticeable change to the Micra is on the Sport models where the chubby fat, the 'cute' aspect, has been replaced by a much more toned body that at first glance seems more agile and masculine.

The most obvious changes to the exterior are the new-look nose and tail, with restyled grille and bumpers. Inside there are revised seats and trim. This and the new exterior colour range are the creative work of the design team at the London studio who apparently took inspiration from street fashion.

Leading the team is the 160SR, 110 ps (81 kW) 1.6-litre engine which gives a better power to weight ratio than many of its competitors in this segment. With an extra 20 hp under the bonnet, the car accelerates to 100 km/h in a reasonable just 9.8 seconds. Even with its extra power, the 160SR is economical returning 42.8 mpg on the combined cycle. In addition to the new engine, the 160SR gets stiffer and lower suspension, reworked by the same team that delivered the Euro spec 350Z.

For the rest of the range, the engine line-up continues to offer 1.2 and 1.4-litre variants of the familiar 16-valve twin cam unit from the CR family of engines, and 1.5-litre common-rail diesels in 65 ps (48 kW) and 82 ps (60 kW) states of tune. The 1.0-litre engine on the entry-level Micra has now been replaced by a 65 ps (48 kW) version of the 1.2.

All models are available with a five speed manual transmission, while an electronically controlled four-speed automatic is available on the 1.2 (80 ps - 59 kW) and 1.4-litre petrol units.

There is much competition in the small city car segment and the new Micra offers not only a comprehensive range of engines, but also a stylish and unusual package that will no doubt further raise the profile of the Japanese carmaker.