Nissan introduced its new sporty Versa Note SR hoping to appeal to younger buyers.
Nissan sounded a new note when it redesigned its small hatchback for the 2014 model-year and now hopes young buyers will like the sound even more when its launches the sporty new Versa Note SR model for 2015.
The long-moribund subcompact segment has been flooded with all-new and updated products in recent years, and makers like Nissan have come to recognize that buyers – especially first-time Millennials – are no longer willing to settle for boring, stripped-down econoboxes.
New models, such as the Nissan Versa Note – and competitors like the Ford Fiesta and new Honda Fit – are putting significantly more emphasis on styling, while also loading up with more features, improving performance and boosting mileage.
The sub-compact segment has been a tough market for automakers, but the Versa is adds another option to a revitalized arena.
Debuting at this year’s Chicago Auto Show, the new 2015 Versa Note SR will be joined by another upgrade, the SL, said Nissan North America vice president Pierre Loing, who explained that, “The new Versa Note SR and SL grades retain all of the favorite consumer attributes of the Versa Note…while adding a sportier look and feel in the case of the SR, and more standard technology and convenience items with the SL.”
The 2015 Nissan Versa Note SR gets sporty front and rear fascias and grille, a unique rear spoiler, 16-inch sport aluminum-alloy wheels and a number of interior enhancements, such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel “inspired by” the Nissan 370Z sports car, suede-like seat fabrics and orange accents.
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“The new Versa Note SR offers an even more powerful appearance than the other grade levels, blending a sporty, European-style energy with a distinctive, driver-focused cockpit,” said Loing. “It’s a great demonstration that vehicles in this segment can offer sporty style along with attributes such as high utility and fuel economy.”
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While it may look more powerful, however, the SR – and SL – continue to share the same 109-horsepower 1.6-liter inline-four engine, mated with an Xtronic CVT transmission, used in the rest of the Nissan Versa Note line-up. And they maintain the line’s strong fuel economy rating of 31 mpg City, 40 Highway and 35 Combined.
The SL targets buyers, meanwhile, who want a bit more features in a small package, adding such niceties as a 5-inch color LCD display, rear backup camera, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels and fog lights.
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The two new hatchback variants – which will bring to five the total trim lines available for the 2015 Nissan Versa Note – reach showrooms this spring.