Signalling the start of a wave of bold new models from Nissan, the all-new Note for Europe will make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show on 5th March 2013.
Nissan’s commitment to innovation, style and excitement has produced some of the most talked-about cars in recent years. And now, following in the tracks of the ground-breaking Qashqai and Juke, the new Note sets the standard for advanced, relevant technology in an affordable small car package.
The Note is now a true B-segment contender that will redefine customer expectations.
Fully utilising Nissan’s innovative approach to design and engineering, it builds on the strengths and values of its predecessor
New Note in brief
The new Note has benefited from extensive European development, tailored for European buyers. With engineering work completed at the Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) in both the UK and Spain and production gearing up at Nissan Manufacturing UK (NMUK) in Sunderland, the new Note has been designed to perfectly meet the demands of today’s small car customer.
New Note also continues the Nissan tradition of bringing bold design and exciting new technologies to a new area of the market. Customers will benefit from a raft of innovative features relevant and useful in day to day driving.
New Note sees the global B-segment debut of Nissan’s new Safety Shield – a package of technologies that would previously only have been available on more costly premium sector models. A Blind Spot Warning system, Lane Departure Warning and an advanced Moving Object Detection system combine to deliver a new level of driver assistance in the class. All three systems operate using data from the rear wide view camera, which delivers a clear image no matter what the weather thanks to an in built wash and blow dry function – a perfect example of the new Note’s in-built engineering innovation.
The benefits of Safety Shield are numerous. Not only does it reduce accident exposure, it means drivers are better informed about their surroundings – minimising the risk of accidental bumps or scrapes that would require a visit to the body shop. It also allows drivers to feel safer and more secure at all times.
New Note is also the first car in the B-segment to offer Around View Monitor (AVM) – Nissan’s acclaimed multi-camera helicopter view parking aid giving clear visibility around the car. This sophisticated yet easy to use system makes parking manoeuvres simpler, enhances urban driving pleasure and helps owners reduce the risk of costly body damage when parking.
Additionally, the new Note embeds the latest version of the Nissan Connect navigation system, including all its connected services.
Innovative design and engineering has meant that all of these technologies have been delivered in an affordable package, matched by a range of highly efficient engines. The combination of a lightweight platform, low aerodynamic drag exterior design and advanced engines and transmissions mean that the new Note will appeal to all buyers.
Running costs will be equally appealing, with all new Note variants equipped with an idle stop/start system as standard, delivering CO2 emissions as low as 95g/km. This efficiency is complimented by strong performance from advanced petrol and diesel engines, along with secure and engaging driving dynamics, specifically tailored for European roads.
Geraldine Ingham, Chief Marketing Manager for Nissan in Europeexplains: “New Note fulfils a really important role in our line-up, combining really smart design with technology that has never been offered in the B-segment before. We’ve used design and engineering innovation to make premium technologies accessible and affordable.”
New Note in detail
Technology
The new Note features advanced technology which has never been seen in its sector before. Indeed, many of the technologies offered in the Note are completely new to the B-segment, and set new standards for affordability.
Among these headline technology features is Nissan’s advanced Around View Monitor (AVM) – an innovative system that takes the stress out of reversing and parallel parking.
Using four separate cameras, the 5.8-inch dashboard mounted screen displays an image of the new Note from above. This helps the driver to visually confirm the car’s position in relation to the surrounding area – making manoeuvres significantly easier and safer.
While AVM is a familiar innovation to many Qashqai drivers, the new Note adds to the technology as the first model to feature the Nissan Safety Shield pack, comprising three advanced safety systems that work together to provide genuine real-world driver benefits. Genuine engineering innovation has allowed Nissan to bring these previously costly systems together in one affordable package. While rival systems employ costly front, rear and even radar systems to perform similar functions, Nissan’s program requires only the image captured by the rear wide view AVM camera to operate Safety Shield.
The Nissan Safety Shield pack comprises the following three technologies:
− Blind Spot Warning
A feature once reserved for cars in the premium sector, Nissan’s system uses the rear wide view AVM camera to detect vehicles in the hidden blind spot areas on both sides of the Note. If a vehicle is detected in either blind spot, a discreet warning light illuminates in the glass of the Note’s wing mirror. If the driver indicates to change lanes and the system detects a vehicle in the danger area, the light flashes and an audible warning is given.
− Lane Departure Warning
Another premium feature making its debut in the B-segment, Lane Departure Warning detects if the car is starting to drift out of lane. While you might expect a windscreen mounted camera or radar system to be required for this function, the Note again uses only its rear wide view AVM camera. Advanced computer programming detects even faint road markings allowing the car to determine if it is drifting out of position without indicating. If it does, a warning is given to the driver to correct their road position. Cleverly, the system automatically adjusts its sensitivity when on rural roads to allow for the different required driving style.
− Moving Object Detection
Building on the capabilities of Around View Monitor, this new function effectively gives the driver a digital co-pilot to help them look at what might be approaching the path of their reversing Note. While conventional parking aids warn the driver of an object in their way, Moving Object Detection gives an audible and visual alert if someone or something is moving behind the car, for example if a child is walking towards your reversing Note. Mounted on the tailgate and having a convex lens, the rear wide view AVM camera has a sweep of vision in excess of 180 degrees, giving it an unparalleled field of vision at the back of the car. Images from the camera are displayed on the 5.8-inch Nissan Connect screen.
With all three Safety Shield technologies plus the rear wide view of Around View Monitor 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. Sophisticated algorithms analyse the image and identify any dirt visible on the rear camera. If required, a small amount of water squirts at the lens along with a jet of compressed air to avoid any drips. As a result all of the Safety Shield pack functions are on hand whatever the weather and the rear view in AVM is always crystal clear.
Both AVM and Safety Shield are incorporated into the new Note’s enhanced Connect satellite navigation, Bluetooth and audio system. Now benefiting from a larger 5.8-inch touch-screen display, the latest system includes Google® ‘Send to Car’ navigation software allowing routes planned at home to be transferred directly to the car. Additional connected services include Google® Points of Interest (POI), nearest fuel prices, plus flight and weather information.
Etienne Henry, Vice-President for Nissan Strategy & Product Planning in Europe commented: “New Note presented a fascinating engineering challenge, in that we wanted to incorporate a huge amount of advanced technology but keep the costs reasonable. In developing the three Safety Shield pack elements to run from one camera we were able to keep manufacturing costs under tight control and make this technology package accessible to the B-segment for the first time.”
Exterior Design
The new 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 and remaining close to the style and shape of the Invitation concept car revealed at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, the new Note has an energetic design. 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 side of the car is 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.
Recognising that many B-segment buyers demand a sporty, dynamic look, Nissan has developed a new Dynamic Styling Pack that offers an even more powerful appearance. The Dynamic pack features black detailing around the headlights and grille and introduces larger, more sculpted air intakes in the front and rear bumpers.
Atsushi Maeda, Product Chief Designer for new 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.”
Interior design
The emphasis placed on strong design features continues inside the new Note. The versatility valued by drivers of the previous model has not been forgotten, and is now combined with premium quality materials, advanced technology features and class leading practicality.
The most striking innovation is right in front of the driver on every trip. The dashboard display has been designed with significant European input to ensure maximum clarity at all times, delivering a clear view of all standard driving data in addition to two advanced new eco meters. An eco pedal gauge gives an efficiency rating to the driver’s throttle input, while an overall eco meter gives a strong visual guide to the overall economy achieved on each drive in real time.
The Note’s interior has been designed and built to offer occupants a comfortable, practical and refined environment. The blue lights of the eco meter gives the cabin a relaxed, premium feel while the intelligent layout means that there is no compromise on space.
Designed with practicality in mind, the new Note’s rear seats carry over the class leading versatility of the previous generation model. A sliding rear bench allows owners to alternate between maximum luggage space and maximum passenger legroom. Add a dual-height boot floor and few B-segment models can compete.
Drivetrain
As befits a car that brings exciting new technologies to the sector, the new Note’s engine and gearbox range is packed with clever features that enhance both efficiency and drivability.
Three engine options will be offered, with CO2 outputs from as low as 95g/km. Nissan’s intelligent stop-start ignition system is fitted to all models, further boosting efficiency and minimising CO2 emissions.
Both new Note petrol engines displace 1,198cc and are lightweight, compact and highly efficient three-cylinder 12-valve units. The imbalances that can often be highlighted in a three-cylinder engine have been overcome with the introduction of a number of engineering innovations. These include an offset counterweight on the crank pulley that cancels out the vertical vibration caused by piston travel. As a result, this advanced engine enjoys the same refinement levels of a four-cylinder unit.
The entry-level 1.2-litre produces power and torque figures of 80PS at 6,000 rpm and 110Nm at 4,000 rpm. This translates to combined fuel economy of 60.1mpg, while CO2 emissions are 109g/km.
Further up the range is the innovative 1.2-litre DIG-S engine that generates 98PS at 5,600 rpm and 142Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm. This advanced engine offers the economy of a traditional diesel, but delivers a driving experience normally associated with a mid-size, four-cylinder petrol engine. Among the many technical highlights of this engine is the supercharger. Equipped with an electronic clutch system, it can be disconnected from the engine while driving at low speeds – boosting economy and reducing any unnecessary friction within the engine.
To further reduce inefficient power loss within the engine operating system the Miller Cycle is incorporated. By allowing the inlet valve to stay open longer, along with a higher compression ratio, the compression stroke becomes more efficient.
Combined, these innovations make the 1.2-litre DIG-S one of the most efficient and flexible engines in the sector. Despite its strong performance, CO2 emissions are just 99g/km with the manual gearbox (119g/km with CVT transmission). Fuel consumption is 65.7mpg (with manual transmission) on the combined cycle.
Completing the Note engine range is a newly engineered four-cylinder 1.5-litre turbo diesel. This 90PS Renault-Nissan Alliance developed unit emits just 95g/km of CO2 and offers a combined fuel economy figure of 78.5mpg.
Performance figures for all engines will be announced closer to launch.
Dynamics
The new Note has been extensively developed in Europe to offer the best possible driving experience. With a distinct set-up from that of the Japanese and US market new Note models, the European version has unique steering, suspension and chassis settings to deliver the perfect blend of comfort, traction and handling for European roads.
Drivers and passengers will experience high levels of ride quality and comfort, while the new Note’s cornering stability and dynamic agility have also been significant areas of focus during the development process.
What’s more, the 1.2-litre DIG-S model has further dynamic tweaks for an even more engaging driving experience. Suspension, steering and body stiffness are all adjusted to perfectly suit the character of the advanced three-cylinder engine, putting it in the heart of the B-segment in terms of driving performance.
Range
The new Note will launch with three trim grades – Visia, Acenta and Tekna. Equipment levels reflect Nissan’s commitment to offering high levels of technology to all customers. As a result, all models will feature stop-start ignition systems, six airbags and cruise control with a speed limiter.
Mid-spec Acenta models add air-conditioning, Bluetooth connection and rear electric windows, while top grade Tekna models feature the Safety Shield pack, Nissan Connect, Around View Monitor, part leather trim and keyless entry with i-key.
Paul Willcox, Senior Vice President for Nissan Sales and Marketing in Europe concludes: “The new Note isn’t just a direct replacement for current Note, it’s a completely different car with a completely different place in the market. Sitting at the very heart of the B-segment, the new Note takes on high volume competitors with great design and premium technology in an accessible package. We’re really excited to be expanding our small car range with such an attractive and advanced new hatchback.”
Production of the new Note will start in the summer, with first deliveries scheduled for autumn 2013 depending on specific markets.
