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19/10/2005: "Nissan Micra C+C Essenza"

Small convertibles mean large sales volumes these days, but it hasn't always been that way. It was only four years ago that Peugeot's 206 CC arrived on the scene with its Mercedes SLK-style electric folding roof. An instant hit, nearly 9,000 found homes in 2004, making it the UK's favourite cabrio.

Peugeot's success hasn't gone unnoticed. Eager to attract the same buyers, Nissan is launching its Micra C+C next month. Aimed at the Vauxhall Tigra, the Sunderland-built car was created with the help of drop-top expert Karmann.

The result is a glass-panelled roof that's a masterpiece of design and engineering. Raising or lowering it takes 22 seconds, and requires nothing more than a press of a button. Unlike in the 206 CC, there are no fiddly catches to worry about.

With a long, steeply raked windscreen, the roof is short. But there's 116mm of extra body length, so boot capacity is a class-leading 255 litres when the top is down. With it up, it's 457 litres - and there's also stowage space under the front passenger seat.

While the roof itself is impressive, the overall styling is less so, and the C+C suffers from the same boot-heavy appearance that plagues many coupé-cabrios. Top-down and from the front three-quarter view is its best angle, as the windscreen and bold lights give it presence. As it's lost the roof, the C+C is 80 per cent less rigid than the hatch, but Nissan has minimised wobble over bumps by strengthening the windscreen pillars and adding a clever rear counterweight, which helps settle the car's ride.

On the move, the Nissan feels more solid than its competitors. But all this strengthening adds around 130kg to the kerbweight. Although the suspension is derived from the sporty 160SR, and our test car had the same 108bhp 1.6-litre engine, the C+C rolls around corners, and performance is nothing special. Still, it's a comfortable long-distance cruiser. The ride is pliant, the engine quiet and with the roof down and the windows up, you can still chat to your passenger on the motorway.

Roof up refinement is excellent and there's lots of light, thanks to the glass panel - although there's a sunblind if it gets too hot. Headroom is tight for six-footers, but this shouldn't be a big problem for most buyers - Nissan predicts 80 per cent will be women. Forget the rear seats, though; they're useless for anyone over 10 years old.

With the range starting at £13,150 and rising to £14,995 for this top-spec Essenza version, the Micra C+C is very competitively priced. Nissan reckons it will sell 6,000 models in a full year.

(this article was taken from autoexpress.co.uk)