Even though American consumers still tend to prefer larger vehicles, both domestic and foreign automakers are convinced that soaring gas prices will eventually convince buyers to embrace more compact-sized and fuel efficient models. The 2011 New York Auto Show marked the debut of the latest crop of compact cars including the 2012 Nissan Versa sedan, which will try to lure buyers with a low staring price of $10,990 and a promise for affordable costs of ownership.
Hot on the heels of the 2012 Versa sedan’s North American premiere in New York, the Japanese brand released a new video that walks us around the four-door model that will go on sale in the U.S. this summer.
The new sedan model is built on Nissan’s global “V” platform that also underpins the Micra sub-compact hatch, a car with which the 2012 Versa shares many components including the dashboard design.
There’s only one engine choice for U.S. buyers, a revised 1.6-liter four-cylinder unit that puts out 109 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm, with the base model offered with a five-speed manual and the rest of the range with an Xtronic CVT transmission.
As for fuel economy, Nissan said that preliminary estimates are 30mpg City, 37mpg Highway and 33mpg Combined, for models equipped with the CVT transmission, and 27mpg City, 36mpg Highway and 30 mpg Combined, for the basic S model with the 5sp manual.
*Live photos Copyright Carscoop / Phil Alex
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