The effective replacement of the long-serving 898cc turbocharged three-cylinder engine that debuted in the outgoing Renault Clio back in 2012, the new forced-induced triple displaces 999cc and produces 74kW/160Nm, a jump of eight kilowatts and 20Nm over the motor available until now.
Dubbed IG-T 100 with the latter figure denoting the power output in pferdestärke (PS), the blown three-pot is once again teamed to a five-speed manual, or, for the first time, an Xtronic CVT. In the case of the former, the 0-100km/h sprint is claimed to take 10.9 seconds.
A motor that is set to be offered in the incoming new Clio as well, Nissan has also made it available in a warm-hatch version known as the N-Sport (pictured in white). Aside from sitting 10mm lower to the ground than the standard Micra, riding on model specific 17-inch alloy wheels and boasting sharper steering and updated suspension, the engine, which Nissan claims is different and has been developed more in-line with the bigger 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, develops 85kW/180Nm and comes exclusively mated to a six-speed manual ‘box. An overboost function though adds an additional 20Nm, which results in the N-Sport completing the 0-100km/h dash in 9.9 seconds.
Set to go on sale in Europe next month, the new engine has already been confirmed for South Africa despite Nissan having recently introduced the Acenta Plus Tech as the new flagship Micra model. Although unconfirmed, it seems likely that only the 85kW unit will make it to local shores with the 898cc remaining for now.
