MOTORING NEWS - The Nissan Micra has been voted Irish Small Car of the Year (Icoty) 2018 by a panel of Ireland's leading motoring journalists. 

The new Micra will be launching in South Africa early in 2018. 

The vehicle will afford customers a comprehensive offering in the popular B-hatchback segment. 

The car will be an addition to the existing Nissan Micra Active range.

This new model is lower, wider and longer than its predecessors and has more interior space. 

It has an expressive design, with dynamic proportions, an athletic exterior and strong character lines.

The Micra beat eight other highly competent small hatchbacks. 

The panel of 30 judges awarded points on criteria ranging from innovation and safety to space, comfort, build quality, driving quality and value for money.

Commenting on the result, David Walshe, a member of the Icoty committee, said, "In the crowded and ultra-competitive small car sector, it was always going to take an exceptional car to win the 2018 Irish Small Car of the Year award. 

"The striking new Nissan Micra is that car."

James McCarthy, CEO of Nissan Ireland, added, "We are absolutely delighted to win this award. This result is due to a great team effort from all our Nissan colleagues - from the designers of the new Micra, everyone in sales and marketing, but especially our colleagues on the production line."

Currently the Micra has a choice of three engines - a 0,9-litre 90PS three-cylinder turbo petrol, 1,0-litre 71PS three-cylinder petrol and the 1,5-litre 90PS turbo diesel. All are linked to a five-speed manual transmission.

The Micra - now in its fifth generation - is available with a number of innovative safety technologies.

Together they give the car a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating as standard, rising to the maximum five stars if the optional Safety+ Pack is fitted. 

This adds intelligent lane intervention, intelligent emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, traffic sign recognition and high beam assist to the Micra's specification.

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