Nissan Note, 2014
The new Note marks a key milestone in the development of Nissan's small car range. Now offering everything B-segment buyers want and more, Nissan Note brings fresh ideas and a raft of useful, usable technologies to an even broader audience.
Like the Juke and Qashqai, the Note is the result of a design and engineering programme that has seen every key element developed and perfected for European buyers. Engineering work carried out at the Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) in both the UK and Spain has resulted a car that exceeds sector standards, and brings bold new ideas to the sector. Completing the Note's European credentials is a new production line at Nissan's UK plant in Sunderland. The result of a €147.500 investment in new production facilities, the Note is built alongside the Juke and Qashqai.
The Nissan has become synonymous with the development of usable and purposeful day-to-day technology - believing that premium features shouldn't be reserved for prestige models at inflated prices. The new Note takes this bold philosophy to a new level with a broad range of innovations that make life safer and more comfortable for drivers.
Nissan Safety Shield makes its European debut in the Note. Simple in concept yet highly advanced in design and engineering, it consists of a package of technologies applied intelligently to offer tangible real-world benefits. Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning and an advanced Moving Object Detection system combine to deliver a new level of assistance to the driver.
The system not only provides enhanced awareness, it also showcases Nissan's design and engineering skills. All three systems take data from a single wide view camera mounted on the back of the car. With all three Safety Shield technologies relying on the tailgate mounted camera, maintaining a clear view from this device is paramount. Nissan engineers have developed the ultimate solution - a built in camera wash and blow dry system which uses a jet of compressed air to dry the lens, demonstrating the depth of innovation applied to the new Note.
Safety Shield offers Nissan Note drivers numerous benefits. Not only does it provide a more secure feel when driving on the road, it allows greater confidence when manoeuvring - safe in the knowledge that the system will support detecting hidden hazards. This significantly reduces the risk of accidental bumps and scrapes that would normally require a visit to the body shop, helping to keep total cost of ownership down.
Other sector first technology appearing on the new Note is Around View Monitor. Nissan's acclaimed multi-camera helicopter view parking aid provides a clear display of the area around the car. This advanced yet simple to use system makes parking manoeuvres easier - further minimising the risk of accidental damage.
The new Note also features the latest evolution of Nissan's advanced Connect navigation system that integrates satellite navigation with Bluetooth, USB and iPod/iPhone connectivity in one simple touchscreen interface. The new system also incorporates GoogleTM 'Send to Car' technology that allows drivers to plot their route before they even get into their car.
And it's not just cutting-edge technology where the new Note stands out from conventional B-segment rivals. Practicality has been designed into every key element of the Note - both inside and out. The rear of the car offers best-in-class levels of legroom, while details such as rear doors that open to almost 90 degrees have been engineered to make life easier for owners with families. The boot also provides best-in-class practicality with a clever Karakuri luggage with IMS kit coming as standard under the trunk floor, a Karakuri board that splits the remaining load area into two additional levels, and a sliding rear bench mechanism which provides an additional 86 litres of luggage space in the trunk.
The new Note is powered by a range of highly efficient engines that combine low running costs with strong performance. Three units will be offered: a 1.2-litre petrol with 80PS, a supercharged 1.2-litre DIG-S with 98PS, and a 90PS 1.5-litre dCi turbodiesel. All variants are equipped with an idle stop/start system as standard and record CO2 emissions as low as 95g/km for diesel and 99g/km for petrol. Combined fuel economy figures range from 4.7 l/100km for the 80PS 1.2-litre petrol engine to 3.6 l/100km for the 1.5-litre dCi.
Completing the Note's dynamic package is a chassis that has been created for the unique demands of European roads. Developed by NTCE from very start of the Note project, European models feature bespoke settings for the steering, dampers, springs and anti-roll bar. The result is a car that displays agile and secure handling and a smooth ride.
The EXTERIOR DESIGN
The new Nissan Note brings design flair and excitement to a segment where style has become an essential ingredient for success. To meet the increasingly high demands of consumers in the B-segment, Nissan has created a car that combines elegant, fluid lines with original and bold details.
Inspired by the acclaimed Invitation concept car revealed at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, the new Note has an energetic design that is both stylish and functional.
The clean lines of the silhouette hint at the new Note's dynamic potential and showcase the car's class-leading aerodynamics. Unlike versions of the new Note sold in other markets, the European model has a unique front end design as well as premium sculpted wing mirrors incorporating the indicator repeaters.
Built on Nissan's lightweight V platform, the new Note combines a long wheelbase and short overhangs to create a sporty, agile look. The sides of the car are distinguished by a dramatic 'Squash Line' that adds a powerful dynamism to the profile, so called because the angles were inspired by the flight of a fast moving squash ball travelling around a court.
The front combines sculpted surfaces with an interlocking headlamp and grille arrangement. Combined with flared wheel arches and a distinctive, flowing window line, the new Note further reinforces Nissan's position at the leading edge of vehicle design.
The rear further illustrates Nissan's attention to detail. An upswept C-pillar combines with wraparound rear light clusters to create an original and distinctive look. By breaking up larger surfaces with fluidic lines that arch and dip across the tailgate assembly, Nissan has succeeded in creating a car that is both practical and extremely stylish.
Recognising that many B-segment buyers demand an even sportier, dynamic look, Nissan has developed a new Dynamic Styling Pack that offers an even more powerful appearance. The Dynamic Styling Pack features black detailing around the headlights and grille and introduces larger, more sculpted air intakes in the unique front and rear bumpers.
Atsushi Maeda, Product Chief Designer for new Nissan Note explains: "The Design Concept of this car is summarised by two phrases: 'energetic clarity' and 'spacious comfort'. We have designed a completely new hatchback which is dynamic, energetic and sporty while also managing to keep the previous generation Note's practicality and versatility. The aerodynamic silhouette is also an unmistakable key feature of this design."
The INTERIOR DESIGN
Intelligent interior packaging has always been a quality associated with the Note. The new version builds on that reputation with more cabin space, a larger boot and even more family-friendly features. It also provides owners with greater comfort, higher equipment levels, new-to-segment technologies and a more sophisticated driving environment.
The dashboard arrangement combines a simple layout with a host of features that are both easy to use and extremely useful on a day-to-day basis. Premium grade materials enhance the feeling of quality, while the optimized layout and intelligent positioning of key controls make the Note a relaxing car to drive.
As owners have come to expect from Nissan, the Note offers incredible attention to detail - often in areas where other manufacturers don't bother. Take, for example, the instrument binnacle.
The Note's display was designed with significant European input to ensure maximum clarity at all times. It delivers a clear view of all standard driving data in addition to two advanced new eco meters.
The eco pedal guide takes the form of a small dial that gives a sliding scale rating based on the position of the throttle pedal. Sudden and heavy inputs result in a low rating, while smaller, smoother inputs sends the dial to high rating level - indicating eco-friendly driving.
The display also features an eco drive indicator. This takes the form of an ambient flowing blue strip that sits above the three main dials in the binnacle and a 5-dots green LED indicator showing eco-drive level (1 green dot for low eco-drive / 3 green dots for average eco-drive / 5 green dots for good eco-drive). The system constantly evaluates efficiency and gives real-time feedback. Drive inefficiently and just the central element is lit. Drive with maximum efficiency and the whole strip is illuminated.
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