|
 It’s
about time the Honda Jazz was dethroned as number 1
Supermini/Mini MPV, after all its been there for almost 5 years.
But after a brief experience with the new Nissan Note, I have to
declare that the Jazz’s crown is still intact.
Not that there’s much that doesn’t chime with the Note. It looks
very attractive, the colours are beautiful, and perhaps more
importantly, the prices are competitive.
It is a bit bigger than the Jazz, has bags of room inside and is
flexible with it, but the overall package of the Jazz, with its
so-called “Magic” seats which flatten easily to convert the car
into a virtual van, or flip up into cinema-type chairs, still
give it the edge.
The Note’s dimensions make it look more dynamic than the Jazz,
although the latter’s cute body shape still retains its appeal.
The quality of Jazz’s interior and overall construction, the
ride and handling, keep it ahead (declaration of interest, I own
a Jazz). The one area which makes the Jazz vulnerable to a
challenge is its lack of a diesel. So I made a beeline for the
1.5 litre diesel, developed by Nissan’s alliance partner
Renault.
Diesel fails to impress
 I
find most modern diesels very impressive, not only in the
economy they deliver, but in the manner of the driving
experience too. The power comes in early and seriously, and the
sound is often more impressive than the weedy noise of petrol
engines under 1.5 litres. But the Note’s diesel failed to
impress. It sounded gruff, and the whole powertrain didn’t seem
smooth enough, as though it hadn’t been properly sorted; a major
disappointment. The gearbox wasn’t exactly slick either, and the
suspension was very harsh. And there is no automatic diesel;
this is only available on the 1.6 litre petrol version.
Nevertheless, the Note is hugely impressive. It delivers a
serious amount of interior space, and Nissan says it offers the
comfort and equipment of a Volkswagen Golf-sized car. I wouldn’t
argue with that. The rear passengers do particularly well. The
Note’s handling was good, feeling stable and quiet at speed.
Larger than the Modus
 “The
Note slots into Nissan’s range above the Micra and is larger
than the Modus, say, from Alliance partner Renault,” says
Nissan.
(The Note is built in Sunderland, north-east England, using the
same basic components as the Nissan Micra, Renault Modus and
Renault Clio III)
“It’s shorter than a Volkswagen Golf overall, but its wheelbase
is longer than the German car – to give maximum interior space
versus exterior size,” Nissan says.
The Note is much better looking than the weird Modus. And being
a Nissan, quality and reliability are likely to be bomb proof.
There is a sliding rear seat, so you can increase luggage space
and cut leg room, or vice versa. There is also a false floor in
the boot covered by twin steel-framed boards – the Flexi-Board
system, which can withstand loads of up to 50 kg (110 lbs).
Lifting either of the boards reveals a secret storage space
beneath the boot floor ideals for stowing valuables.
There is plenty of thoughtful little storage places, with
folding trays for those in the rear, aircraft style expanding
pockets for books and magazines, a 9-litre (2 gallon) glove-box
which can be heated or cooled, and a secret compartment under
the front passenger seat.
There are three trim levels – S, SE and SVE. The top two levels
only have the 1.6 litre petrol and 1.5 litre diesel. You can
have the 1.4 litre petrol motor on the S.
Flexi-board
 S
trim includes electronic brake-force distribution, 4 airbags, CD
player, front electric windows, remote central locking, and the
sliding rear seat. SE adds stuff like air conditioning, 2 more
airbags, fog lamps, the Flexi-Board floor electric adjusted and
heated mirrors, rear electric windows, and foldaway tray tables,
and 6-speaker stereo. SVE adds things like powered folding
mirrors, bigger wheels, electronic climate control, part
leather, 6 CD auto-changer and automatic headlights and wipers.
The Note was developed from the Tone, a concept car shown at the
2004 Paris motor show. Retaining that name would have laid
Nissan open to charges of political obsequiousness, given that
Prime Minister Tony Blair’s constituency is in Sunderland. At
least that would have been the problem when the car was being
launched in April. Now after the disastrous-for-the-government
local elections in May, and various incidents which have shown
Blair’s Labour government to be arrogant, incompetent and
corrupt, presumably Nissan is happy not to have its car linked
with tainted political goods.
Preposterous
 Nissan
offers us a pleasant little story surrounding the development of
the Note. Apparently a Nissan designer, contemplating his future
when he found out his wife was expecting their first child,
mused that now motoring was bound to be boring, necessitating a
car which would be good at storing stuff rather than exciting
the driver.
The Note, which is said to combine both attributes, is the
result of his attempt to retain some excitement in his motoring
after the birth of the child. Preposterous really. The Note is a
worthy, practical, and impressive car. Nice to drive, yes.
Fun-to-drive it ain’t.
Nissan Note 1.5 dCi SE
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Engine:
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1,461 cc turbo diesel
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Power:
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86 bhp
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Gearbox:
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5-speed manual
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Drive:
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front wheels
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Acceleration: 0-62/100 km/h
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0-62 mph/100 km/h – 13 seconds
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Top Speed:
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104 mph-167 km/h
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Fuel Consumption:
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claimed combined – 55.4 mpg-5.1 l/km
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CO2 Emissions:
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135g/km
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Length:
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4,083
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Width:
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1,691
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Height:
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1,550
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Suspension
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MacPherson/Torsion beam with coil springs
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Price:
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£11,995-€17,600 on sale now
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Competition:
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Honda Jazz, Ford Fusion, Fiat Idea, Peugeot 206SW,
Mitsubishi Colt, Vauxhall/Opal Maria, Renault Modus,
Seat Ibiza, Daihatsu Sirion
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Would I buy one?
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I’ve already got the star car
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Rating:
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**** out of 5
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For:
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practical, handsome, good value
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Against:
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doesn’t drive like a Jazz
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