Nissan Reveals New European Market Note Supermini [33 Photos & Video]

Nissan is showing its second-generation Note in European guise for the first time ahead of the B-segment model’s public premiere at the 83rd Geneva International Auto Salon.

Compared to its predecessor, the Note is shaped more like a hatchback and less like a mini-MPV, as Nissan tries to better compete with more traditional superminis such as the Ford Fiesta and Renault Clio.

The British-built, European market model benefits from a series of cosmetic and even mechanical upgrades over the Note sold in other regions around the world, including the North American specification version that we saw at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show in January.

These enhancements are less notable outside where the only differences over the American model are the more sculpted mirrors, the restyled front grille inserts and the availability of a Dynamic Styling Pack that offers a more powerful appearance via black detailing around the headlights and grille, and more sculpted air intakes in the front and rear bumpers.

Inside, while the European Note keeps the same dashboard layout with the North American model, it gains a more premium look instrument panel and center console design, as well as round instead of rectangular center air-vents, and different trims.

The changes continue under the sheetmetal with Nissan stating that the European version features a distinct set-up from that of the Japanese and US market new Note models, with unique steering, suspension and chassis settings to improve handling, ride quality and comfort.

In Europe, Nissan will offer two 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engines on the Note, including a naturally-aspirated version producing 79hp (80PS) and 81 lb-ft (110Nm) of peak torque, and a supercharged DIG-S variant rated for 97hp (98PS) and 105 lb-ft (142Nm). The more powerful of the two 1.2-liter units returns a fuel economy of 65.7mpg UK or 4.3 lt/100km (with manual transmission) on the combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 99g/km.

Completing the Note engine range is a newly engineered four-cylinder 1.5-litre turbo diesel sourced from Renault, which emits 95g/km of CO2 and offers a combined fuel economy figure of 78.5mpg UK or 3.6lt/100km.

The new Note will launch in three trim grades – Visia, Acenta and Tekna, with available features including a Blind Spot Warning system, Lane Departure Warning, an advanced Moving Object Detection system and an Around View Monitor (AVM).

Production of the new Note will start in Sunderland, UK, in the the summer, with first European deliveries scheduled for autumn 2013.

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