ANYONE READ THIS IN JUNE???
Reviews
Atten-shun. Forward March
The style nannies at Nissan have worked their magic to spruce up
this already adorable car
By Lee Nian Tjoe - 24 June 2006
The Straits Times
Look at the March and the car seems to stare back at you through
its big glassy 'eyes'.
Among other minor changes effected during this mild update is a new
palette of colours including Ice Blue, which is a lush, soft hue
that reminds one of Smurfs.
Viewed head-on, the new bumpers exaggerate the March's width.
The ruddy cheeks look even more pinchable now. The distinctive
double bubble silhouette still looks like a cross between a classic
Volkswagen Beetle and a fluffy cloud.
Matching the car's Ice Blue exterior, the designers quite literally
'blue' up the cabin.
Everything inside - from the part fabric, part suede upholstery to
the dashboard to even the wiper stalks - is coloured like
blueberry-flavoured cotton candy, if ever there was one.
Depending on the exterior colour, there is a beige-on-beige option
for more conservative customers.
In this 1.4E trim, the car is very well equipped, almost
exceedingly so.
Gizmos like powered folding mirrors, auto headlights, 15-inch alloy
wheels, smart key and digital climate control with integrated air
ioniser don't distract from the fact that this is essentially a
really cool shopping trolley for four, with a rather tiny
boot.
Except that shopping trolleys don't tool around with nearly as much
verve as the March. It leaps off the line effortlessly like a bunny
in heat.
The electric power steering feels like it's filled with helium but
the turn-in is incisive, followed with good progression as the
front-end starts to run out of grip.
Its relatively generous wheelbase and soft suspension gives the car
a cushy ride but manages to suppress almost all body roll and any
mid-corner bobbing.
Despite its camp (and some even say, frivolous) looks, this car
drives well, better than the Honda Jazz and matching the Suzuki
Swift.
The March 1.4E is not cheap though. For the money, you could bag a
Nissan Sunny with cash to spare. But, then, you can't cuddle a
Sunny to sleep.
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NISSAN MARCH 1.4E
Price: $54,300 with COE
Engine: 1,386cc 16-valve inline-4
Gearbox: Four-speed automatic
Power: 97bhp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 137Nm at 1,800rpm
Top speed: 175kmh
0-100kmh: 12 seconds
Fuel consumption: 13.9 litres/100km (city)
