The new 2012 Nissan Versa has shown up at the 2011 New York Auto Show, but it isn’t exactly bringing anything we don’t already know about considering it was unveiled as the Tiida at the Shanghai Auto Show. It is built on a new global "V" (for Versatile) platform which is a bit shorter than the previous platform, but has a longer wheelbase which provides a tad bit more room in the backseat for passengers. Another great thing about the new Versa/Tiida is that it aims to deliver a fuel economy of 33 mpg on the combined cycle.
"Compact cars are getting a lot of attention lately due to rising fuel costs and concerns about the environment. Yet many buyers are disappointed in what they find – vehicles rife with compromise," says Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. "This new Versa Sedan, a ‘clean sheet’ ground-up design, takes small cars in a whole new direction – proving that you don’t have to sacrifice style for affordability, interior roominess for a smaller footprint, or drivability for high mpg."
The new Versa sedan will go on sale this summer in three trim levels: Versa Sedan 1.6 S (offered in 5MT and CVT versions), Versa Sedan 1.6 SV (CVT only), and Versa Sedan 1.6 SL (CVT only) with a starting price of $10,990.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2012 Nissan Versa.
Over in Brazil, Nissan found itself in hot water after one of their commercials directed at Ford drew the ire of the American automaker’s Brazilian arm.
The music-video style parody commercial that Nissan released features two men representing Ford engineers, dressed to the absolute nines decked with gold chains, rings, and fur coats, while sipping champagne and flocked by a multitude of scantily-clad women. Oh, and if you didn’t notice, there’s also a Ford Focus in the background. Yep, a Ford Focus in a Nissan commercial.
While the TV spot isn’t in English, the lyrics, when translated to Portuguese, translate to something like "All the luxury that I got, I got it with your money" and "Don’t weep because you’re paying extra money — your money was well spent, look what I do with it."
Obviously, the whole commercial didn’t sit too well with Ford, who thought that Nissan was sending a message to consumers that the Focus is overpriced in Brazil compared to the Japanese automaker’s Tiida sub-compact (it’s called the Versa in our neck of the woods). While there’s some truth to it - the Tiida is actually cheaper by a little under $2,000 in Brazil compared to the Focus - Ford didn’t like the way Nissan portrayed their company.
Ford’s lawsuit prompted Nissan to pull the television commercial, but apparently, not before the video found its way on the Internet. With the web being a lot more expansive and lenient than any form of medium these days, Ford’s going to have a hard time curtailing the showing of this Nissan ad.
Nissan has unveiled the first sketch of the next generation Versa. While the company revealed no details on it, the first sketch image did reveal a new exterior design, with interior updates and new engines being likely. Expect the next generation Versa to go on sale in 2011.
While there are no other details on the next generation Versa, we can’t imagine it will be too different from the current model considering no real changes have been announced so far. The entry level Nissan Versa Sedan 1.6 Base and Versa Sedan 1.6 models are powered by a 107 HP 1.6 Liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine, while the Versa Hatchback and Sedan 1.8 S and 1.8 SL offer a 122 HP 1.8 Liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine standard. An added safety measure for the Nissan is an Anti-lock Braking System that now comes standard on the 1.8 S model, while sticking around as a standard offering on the 1.8 SL.
We have always been a bit confused with Ford. The Detroit born automaker has become a huge sensation in Europe. One example of this old world takeover was the Mondeo. This sedan was so intensely popular that it spawned a new nickname, ’Mondeo Man’. Have you ever seen a Ford here in the United States that was that popular? We think not.
There are more examples of this as well. The Fiesta, Focus, Ka, and the ever famous Transit van have been dominating the European market for ages. Finally, with some persuasion, Ford is going to bring a few of those wonderful models to the United States.
The Fiesta has been in the shadows for most if its pre-release life. Ford has decided to attack the young audience with Facebook pages and all of that other nonsense. In our opinion, Ford needs to stop all this and get out in the mainstream, and we want to help.
So, here we have a lime-green Ford Fiesta with a five-speed manual transmission just waiting to be taken out on the roads, and we were more than happy to oblige. Yet, who wants a normal review, those are so dull. Awaiting the Fiesta was the gang of small hatchbacks that have already established there turf; the Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, and the Honda Fit. Now we have a proper test on our hands.
Nissan announced today prices for the 2011 Versa, both sedan and hatchback. For 2011, Versa will be offered in a range of nine models, including a choice of 1.6-liter and 1.8-liter engines and four available transmissions. Prices will start at $9,990 and will go up to $16,900.
Standard equipment includes: Nissan Navigation System, Nissan Intelligent Key™, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System and XM® Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required, sold separately). And for a few extra dollars customers can also get a Navigation/Satellite Package with a 5-inch LCD touch screen monitor, XM® Satellite Radio and XM NavTraffic® with Real-Time Traffic Information.
