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Comparisons with Nissan’s own C segment Almera reflect the company’s claim that NOTE is a true family car – its wheelbase is actually longer than that of the Almera hatchback (2535mm) and it is almost as long overall: Almera is longer than NOTE by just 117mm. One area where NOTE doesn’t beat the competition, however, is in its overall height. NOTE is significantly lower that the Opel Meriva, for example, (1555mm/1625mm respectively) to the benefit of NOTE’s design and on-road dynamics. Clever packaging, however, means it offers just as much interior height. The overall result is class leading passenger space matched by a flexible luggage compartment. NOTE has a sliding rear bench seat designed to increase leg room or load space as required: it moves up to 160mm. The load area is a lesson in design versatility. With the rear seats in place, there’s a minimum of 280 litres of load space available. Slide the rear seat forward – a simple, one-handed operation either in the trunk or inside the cabin – and the load area rises to 380 litres. But there’s more. The load area has a false floor, covered by a split luggage board. Lifting one or other of the boards – called Flexi-Board - reveals a secret storage space beneath the boot floor ideal for stowing valuables out of sight. Should extra space be need for larger items, the boards can be lowered or removed altogether, raising total load space potential to 437 litres. The boards are also reversible, with conventional carpet on one side and a waterproof covering on the other. When carrying wet or muddy items – hiking shoes or sports equipment for example – the interior of the car can be kept clean simply by reversing the boards and then wiping them down at journey’s end. More flexibility is provided by the front passenger seat which reclines to the horizontal and thus allows objects as long as 2.4m to be carried – ideal for transporting self-assembly furniture or home-improvement materials. NOTE’s interior is tailor-made for the busy young family, with folding tables on the backs of the front seats, rear armrests and reading light, as well as expandable seat pockets which can swallow enough CDs, books and games to keep youngsters quiet on the longest of journeys. NOTE delivers dynamically, too. The structure is 25 per cent stiffer than Micra and roll stiffness has been increased by 19 per cent. The chassis, which features MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam behind, has been fine tuned by Nissan’s technical centres in Spain and England. Springs, dampers and suspension bushes have all been specially tuned for Europe. This has resulted in a stiffer front anti-roll bar and the adoption of ripple control shock absorbers and rebound spring – features normally found in higher segment vehicles – which is key for good ride comfort. Rear suspension stiffness, however, has been reduced by 8 per cent to ensure ride quality is not compromised. Following familiar Nissan practice, there will be three trim levels – Visia, Acenta and Tekna – and four engine options: two 1.5dCi diesels developing 50kW and 63kW (68 and 86 PS) respectively, a 1.4-litre 65kW (88PS) petrol unit and the new 1.6-litre 81kW (110PS) petrol engine found in the new Micra 160SR and C+C. Automatic transmission is an option on the 1.6. The new 1.6 litre engine features optimised thermal and volumetric design for maximum efficiency. Combining with low friction, light weight design and Nissan Continous Variable Valve Timing Control System, this new engine offers top performance in the 1.6 litre class in medium speed torque and fuel economy – an everyday benefit to the customer. Standard equipment on all versions includes electric power steering, anti-lock brakes with Brake Assist System and Electronic Brake Distribution, remote central door locking, front power windows, four airbags and sliding rear seats. Top of the range models add Electronic Stability Programme, 16 inch alloy wheels, part leather trim, fog lamps, automatic lighting, rear power windows and rain sensing wipers. Safety options available on all versions include curtain airbags and Electronic Stability Programme.
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Stylish, fun to
drive,
roomy, and versatile, the new Nissan NOTE creates a new genre of family car
and spearheads Nissan’s shift towards the development of niche products in
volume market sectors. NOTE is a dynamically different take on the
conventional family hatchback. 
