Nissan Previews Next Micra with 20-23 Hot Hatch Concept

Nissan has unveiled a concept car that gives a glimpse of the highly anticipated next-generation Micra. The 20-23 hot hatch concept, designed by Nissan Design Europe (NDE), celebrates the 20th anniversary of the carmaker’s European design center in Paddington, London. The concept showcases Nissan’s participation in the Formula E race series and its “heritage of bold hatchbacks.”

The 20-23 concept features a race-inspired design with large diffusers at the front and rear, a touring car-spec rear wing, oversized wheel arches, and ultra-low-profile racing tires. It also includes unique styling cues such as a roof scoop, racing numbers, scissor doors, and air-channelling louvres on the wings. These features continue Nissan’s tradition of bringing eye-catching playfulness to hatchbacks and city cars.

Beneath the sporty exterior, the 20-23 concept provides a closer look at Nissan’s electric replacement for the Micra. Set to enter production in 2026, the new Micra will be built on the CMF-BEV platform used by Alliance partner Renault for its own 5 supermini and Alpine A290 hot hatchback. The concept shares some design cues with the production car, including two-piece circular LED light clusters and a black ‘floating’ roof.

The interior of the 20-23 concept is a futuristic interpretation of a racing car’s bare functionality. It features deep bucket seats accessed by climbing over foam-covered brace bars. Instead of a traditional steering wheel, the driver uses a yoke-style device with switches and buttons to control the electric motors and regenerative brakes. While the concept’s interior is expected to evolve into a more spacious and comfort-focused setup for the final production car, Nissan’s recent concepts prioritize minimalism.

The Micra replacement will be Nissan’s smallest electric car and will be produced alongside the Renault 5 at the ElectriCity production hub in northern France. It will feature a multi-link rear axle, lightweighting measures, and a battery pack split into four space-efficient modules. The car is expected to have a 134bhp front-mounted motor and a range of 250 miles, targeting a price point of around £20,000.

The sporting focus of the 20-23 concept suggests the potential for a performance version of Nissan’s supermini, similar to the Alpine A290 for the Renault 5. Nissan has expressed its intention to revive the Nismo performance brand for the electric age, likely starting with a sporty version of the Ariya crossover. A performance-oriented Micra replacement would compete with electric hot hatches like the Volkswagen ID 2 GTI, Mini Cooper SE, and Abarth 500e.

The design of the production-spec Micra replacement has not been confirmed to be handled by the NDE team. Led by Autocar Design Hero award winner Matthew Weaver, the NDE team has been responsible for creating popular models like the Juke and Qashqai crossovers, as well as radical concept cars that preview Nissan’s future.

As NDE celebrates its 20th anniversary, Weaver reflects on the team’s achievements and their commitment to outstanding design and creativity. He emphasizes the goal of making customers fall in love with a Nissan through their innovative work.

In conclusion, Nissan’s 20-23 hot hatch concept provides an exciting preview of the next Micra. With its race-inspired design and electric powertrain, the Micra replacement is set to make a bold statement in the supermini segment. As Nissan continues to push boundaries in design and performance, car enthusiasts can look forward to an electrifying future with the Micra and other upcoming models.