2011 New York Auto Show: 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan

As such, the new-generation Versa sedan, unveiled this week at the New York show, was not the sexiest attraction under the spotlights, but that’s perfectly okay with the Nissan brain trust…

“While our competitors in this segment are chasing sporting looks, we have infused the new Versa with a sophisticated, upscale feeling”, said Carlos Tavares, chairman, Nissan Americas, who had the honour of unveiling the Versa to the NY show press corps.

The styling is clearly an evolution from the current model — with slightly different proportions and body styling. 

The bigger changes are underneath the sheet metal. The new Versa is now based on Nissan’s global “V” platform — smaller and lighter than Versa’s current “B” platform. (In addition to Versa, the V platform will be utilized for future Nissan entries targeted at “B-segment” competitors and their derivatives, such as Ford Fiesta and Mazda2).

Lightness was achieved through less complexity; the V platform has 20 percent fewer components and is about 150 lbs lighter than the current platform.

Less complexity will also enable Versa to be, in the words of Tavares, “one of the most affordable vehicles in the U.S., when it goes on sale this summer, with a MSRP of $10,990… And that’s for a real car, with air conditioning, vehicle dynamic control, CD radio with auxiliary input, electric power steering, and 15 inch wheels and tires”.

Versa’s 1.6-litre engine also sees significant upgrades: the Continuously Variable Timing Control (CVTC) now works on both intake and exhaust ports (similar to the system used on Maxima); and there are now two fuel injectors for each cylinder (mounted near the inlet valve). Nissan says the “Dual Injector” system creates a finer spray, for more complete combustion. This turn means less rare metals are needed (by half) in the catalyzer, which has to deal with unburned fuel and hydrocarbon emissions.-auto123.com