A small city car from a Japanese company that has survived two generations and is a relatively popular car in our country is the Nissan Note 2016.

The second generation of this car was presented to the public in 2012 and took place at the Geneva Motor Show; the car began to be sold only in 2013. This generation is sold in many countries, but is not supplied to Russia, so the second generation is not officially sold here.

The new generation has received quite serious external changes, as well as changes to the interior and the range of power units.

Exterior

The appearance of the hatchback is quite good for the modern world; the model looks really beautiful and attractive. The muzzle has a high, slightly embossed hood, which is emphasized by large optics. The chrome radiator grille elegantly connects with the optics. The bumper will delight you with beautifully inserted round fog lights.

On the side there are various things that surprise you, slightly swollen wheel arches, a rear view mirror on a leg, this is all that can surprise you when viewed in profile. Otherwise everything is simple.

The back of the Nissan Note is a little more interesting; the internal optics are unlikely to please, but the shape of the headlight itself attracts attention. The bumper is massive, but simple, there is nothing surprising about it. In general, the design is good, but there are few interesting details.

Hatchback dimensions:

• length – 4100 mm;
• width – 1695 mm;
• height – 1530 mm;
• wheelbase – 2600 mm;
• ground clearance - 150 mm.

Specifications

Type	Volume	Power	Torque	Overclocking	Maximum speed	Number of cylinders
Petrol	1.2 l	79 hp	110 H*m	13 sec.	170 km/h	3
Petrol	1.2 l	98 hp	147 H*m	11.8 sec.	181 km/h	3
Diesel	1.5 l	90 hp	200 H*m	11.9 sec.	179 km/h	4
Petrol	1.6 l	111 hp	160 H*m	-	-	4

The model has 6 powertrain options in its lineup.

1. The weakest type of engine is a 1.2-liter gasoline unit that produces 79 horses. This is the only version that comes with all-wheel drive as an option. There is also a variation of this engine with 80 horsepower. The unit allows the hatchback to reach the first hundred in almost 14 seconds – not a very attractive result. Consumption is low - 6 liters in the city and 4 on the highway.
2. There is also a 1.2-liter engine, but with 98 horsepower. It already has more attractive dynamic performance, the engine accelerates the car to hundreds in 12 seconds, and the maximum speed is 181 km/h. The unit also does not consume much, only 5 liters in the city.
3. Also in the Nissan Note 2016 line is a 1.5-liter diesel engine. Its power is 90 horsepower, and acceleration to one hundred takes 12 seconds. The consumption is correspondingly lower, but the fuel itself is also cheaper. The unit uses about 4 liters in the city and 3 on the highway.
4. One of the top-end units is a 1.6-liter engine producing 109 horses. Unfortunately, the characteristics of this motor are not known.
5. The most powerful type of engine received the same volume of 1.6 liters, but now its power has been increased to 138 horsepower. This is the most powerful unit and, accordingly, it will show the best dynamic characteristics, but they are unknown to us.

All types of engines are offered paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, and it is also possible to install a CVT on some units. The model has a problem with the brakes, of course they are enough, but I would still like more. The model stops thanks to ventilated disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear. The front suspension is independent, it is a classic MacPherson strut, and the rear uses a semi-independent torsion beam.

The chassis can please you with the presence of:

Salon Nissan Note

Since this is a small car, you shouldn’t expect a lot of free space in the cabin; there really isn’t that much of it. The front row is still quite good, but the back row can hardly accommodate 3 passengers. By the way, for rear passengers there is a folding table in the backs of the front seats. The luggage compartment here is small, its volume is 295 liters, but it can be increased by folding the rear row. The increased luggage compartment will have a volume of 1465 liters.

The driver's seat is equipped with a large 3-spoke steering wheel with audio controls. The steering wheel is simple, but the instrument panel looks interesting - a large round tachometer, a large analogue speedometer with a round trip computer in the middle and an electronic temperature and fuel level gauge on the right. All this is beautifully decorated and also equipped with attractive lighting.

The center console is simple, but its design is interesting. The top of the Nissan Note 2016 has 2 round air vents and a hazard warning button. Just below is the display of the multimedia system with buttons to control it around. Below is the most interesting thing - this is the climate control unit. All buttons form a circle, and between them there is another circle, which is a display, which in turn displays the selected settings. Everything on the tunnel is quite simple, these are two cup holders and a gear selector.

Price

Unfortunately, this model will not be sold in our country, but with the help of gray dealers it will be possible to get it. The car is available in 3 different trim levels; the most interesting thing is that the basic version will receive a start-stop system. The most expensive version is generally gorgeous - all-round visibility, keyless access and a little leather in the cabin. Agree, not bad!

Prices are not yet known, but they will be revealed soon. A limited version will also be produced, which will have different wheels and, in general, visually represent a charged hatchback.

Some have already imported the car from Japan and are selling the model. The average price of a right-hand drive car from the secondary market is 700,000 rubles.

The Japanese have created a good car that fulfills its function of getting you around the city back and forth, so for people who need exactly that, the E12 is quite suitable.

Video

The history of the five-door Nissan Note hatchbacks dates back to 2005. The model immediately gained a reputation as a comfortable family car, thanks to its spaciousness and reliability. Japanese designers were able to combine the features of an aggressive and practical van in one body.

But, as you know, time does not stand still: in 2013 the company introduced a second-generation B-class car, which will be assembled in England. The appearance and technical data have undergone changes. It is important that such an indicator as ground clearance of the new Nissan Note remained unchanged - 145 mm.

Total restyling

Compared to its predecessor, the latest hatch has become even more aggressive in appearance, borrowing the line dynamics from the Invitation concept. The boomerang taillights of the previous model have been transformed into a more classic shape. In an attempt to get away from the competitor Honda Jazz, the designers changed the style of the wheels, hood and radiator grille.

Massive bumper serves not only as an addition to the entire style of the car. The technical solution of this form is due to concern for the safety of the pedestrian - in the event of a collision, he will be thrown onto the hood.

Front Panel Configuration has changed beyond recognition - the instruments are designed differently, more informatively; Higher quality material was used. The center console is equipped with a completely new control system. The steering wheel, on which control buttons for the main components are installed, also has a new shape.

• multimedia installation Nissan ConnectSM;
• touch display 5.8 inches;
• Around View Monitor system.

We can safely say that the model is especially proud luggage compartment. The rear row of seats can easily be moved by 160 mm even by a child; or they can be folded to increase volume. As a result, there are two options to choose from, in which the volume is:

• with the seats moved forward - 437 liters;
• with the seats folded, the volume is 1,332 liters.

The so-called Family package includes folding front armrests and one rear center armrest. Just like on the first model, tables with cup holders are mounted in the backs of the front seats, which are easily brought into working position. Throughout the cabin there are several compartments and pockets for storing various things.

Driving parameters and ground clearance of the new Nissan Note model

Ground clearance and other driving characteristics are an important indicator for the domestic car enthusiast given the current state of the road surface. The manufacturer of the latest model Nissan Note claims the following: body parameters:

• wheelbase – 2600 mm;
• ground clearance - 145 mm;
• turning diameter – 11 m;
• front wheel track – 1460 mm;
• rear wheel track – 1470 mm.

When asked about low ground clearance, the Japanese point to a non-standard solution for distributing the load along the axles with an emphasis on the front drive. According to them, this is what will contribute to good cross-country ability and will not allow you to sit on your belly.

There is information from car owners of the first model about attempts to increase the ground clearance of the Nissan Note using reinforced springs and additional spacers. In principle, this is possible, but in this case the official service will refuse you warranty service. Most drivers are quite satisfied with the factory 145 mm.

Motors. It doesn't get any more economical

European buyers have a choice three engine options with capacity:

• three-cylinder petrol 1.2 l – 80 hp;
• three-cylinder petrol 1.2 l – 98 hp;
• four-cylinder diesel 1.5 – 90 hp

The first version of the HR12DDR has an average consumption of 4.5 liters of gasoline per “hundred” and is ideal for urban driving. The power of the second is increased due to the drive supercharger and the introduction of the Miller cycle, which contributes to more efficient combustion of the mixture. The diesel unit has the most economical performance - 3.6 liters per 100 km.

Gasoline engine 80 hp will be equipped with a five-speed manual transmission. A more powerful engine can be equipped with a CVT as an additional option. As for the diesel engine, the manufacturer has not yet announced the options for installed gearboxes.

Apparently the Nissan car company was very eager to show off the updated Nissan Note 2013 model year. Therefore, the company decided to present its work to the general public long before the start of the March Geneva Motor Show. However, probably, none of the European car enthusiasts regrets this action of the automaker. In any case, the information received will allow many of them to make an appropriate decision regarding this car in a thoughtful and balanced manner.

In addition, some of the information has already been leaked to the media, since the Japanese premiere of the updated car took place in the summer of 2012, and a little later the participants in the North American premiere of the Nissan Note 2013 could get acquainted with it. But everything is learned by comparison and I want to know what surprises Nissan has prepared for European and in particular Russian car enthusiasts. It is known that the Japanese have somewhat modified the appearance of the European version of the Nissan Note, offered a different line of power plants, and changed the chassis settings, which, according to the developer, should help improve handling.

But perhaps the most interesting is the transformation of the Nissan Note 2013, which is officially a compact van, into a compact B-class hatchback according to the European classification. The updated Note has acquired slightly increased overall dimensions, which after the implementation of the design idea are (length x height x width): 4100 x 1525 x 1695 millimeters. The wheelbase is 2600 millimeters, ground clearance (clearance) is 165 millimeters.

Nissan Note II: the standard of modern car design

The appearance of the Nissan Note 2013 is frankly striking in its relief and perfection of proportions. The elongated and smoothed silhouette with minor sporty details should obviously attract the attention of the youth sector of buyers. Literally the entire body looks original. The front part is memorable for the intricate shape of the headlamp headlights and no less fancy fog lights. The massive embossed bumper, as it turns out, is not only one of the stylistic ideas of the company's designers, but also has a purely pragmatic purpose.

It turns out that this shape should ensure the safety of the crossing, since in the event of a collision, thanks to the shape of the hood, the pedestrian will be thrown onto the hood, which significantly increases his safety. It’s quite possible, but how can we explain the presence of relief elements on the rear bumper? The profile of the car is remembered by the original stampings on the side doors. The falling stamped rib on the sidewalls, swollen wheel arches, the shape of the window sill lines, the sloping roof, equipped with a panoramic sunroof and turning into a spoiler above the rear door also look original. The rear part also has several decorative novelties, in particular, the taillights have a very intricate design, as well as a corrugated bumper.

Nissan Note II: ergonomics and interior quality

The interior of the cabin is not particularly sophisticated, but maybe that’s for the better. True, there is still a rather unusual detail, which is nothing more than just a round-shaped display of the climate control control unit, around which control buttons are located. It should also be noted the excellent ergonomic layout of information instruments and control units. Almost all control buttons are literally at hand, and finding them by touch is not difficult. The designers have proposed a new form of multifunction steering wheel, on which the control unit for the main comfort systems is located.

The pleasant blue illumination of the instruments does not tire the eyes and does not distract attention from driving. The driver's seats are equipped with effective lateral support, which once again emphasizes a certain bias towards the sportiness of the car. The finishing materials are of fairly decent quality and are pleasant to the touch. To increase the useful volume of the luggage compartment, you can move the rear seat back and forth. In normal condition, the trunk volume is 300 liters, with the second row seats folded down it increases to 1350 liters.

Nissan laptop technical specifications

In principle, the technical characteristics announced by the manufacturer are quite acceptable for a car of this class. European buyers will be able to choose one powertrain option from three offered. The smallest 1.2-liter HR12DDR three-cylinder petrol engine produces 80 horsepower. At the same time, the average fuel consumption is no more than 4.7 liters per hundred kilometers. A typical city engine for a typical city car.

The second petrol engine is also three-cylinder and has the same displacement of 1.2 liters. However, the power of this power unit is already slightly higher and amounts to 98 horsepower. The designers equipped the engine with a drive supercharger and also introduced the Miller cycle, which increased the combustion efficiency of the air-fuel mixture. Thanks to these innovations, the efficiency of this power unit is slightly higher; the average fuel consumption per hundred kilometers is 4.3 liters of gasoline. As a third option, the manufacturer offers a 1.5-liter four-cylinder diesel power unit with 90 horsepower. This engine is the most economical of the three, as it consumes only 3.6 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers.

It also became known that the Nissan Note technical specifications provide for the installation of several gearboxes. The smallest petrol engine will be paired with a five-speed manual transmission. The 98-horsepower power unit can additionally be equipped with a CVT variator. With the diesel engine, nothing is clear yet. Firstly, the manufacturer has not yet announced the company’s engineers’ plans for this engine. Secondly, it is unknown whether the diesel engine will come to Russia at all. The manufacturer used the multi-purpose V-platform as the base platform for the Nissan Note II. At the front, a fully independent suspension based on MacPherson struts is used; the rear suspension is equipped with a torsion beam. The car's braking system was equipped with a fairly impressive set of electronic systems: ABS, Brake Assist (BAS) and EBD.

According to preliminary information, Europeans will be able to choose a car in three available trim levels: “Visia”, “Acenta” and “Tekna”. The basic “Visia” package includes equipping the car with a “Start-Stop” system, regardless of the engine type, cruise control and six airbags. The average Acenta trim level will additionally receive air conditioning, electric windows on all doors, and a multimedia system that supports Bluetooth.

The maximum Tekna configuration will be provided with the Safety Shield traffic safety package, a four-camera Around View Monitor system, partial leather interior trim, and keyless entry into the cabin. In addition, the manufacturer plans to release a limited batch of the “Dynamic” modification, which will feature a spoiler, door sills, other bumpers, and sports wheels. Unfortunately, the price for Nissan Note 2013 has not yet been determined.

Nissan laptop photo

Nissan Note ground clearance or ground clearance, as for any other passenger car, is an important factor on our roads. It is the condition of the road surface or its complete absence that makes Russian motorists interested in the ground clearance of the Nissan Note and the possibility of increasing ground clearance using spacers.

To begin with, it’s worth saying honestly that real ground clearance of Nissan Note may differ significantly from what is stated by the manufacturer. The whole secret is in the method of measuring and where to measure ground clearance. Therefore, you can find out the real state of affairs only by arming yourself with a tape measure or ruler. Official ground clearance of Nissan Note differs significantly between generations. It is worth considering that cars assembled for the Japanese market have a different clearance than cars supplied to Europe and Russia. Moreover, in Japan you can easily find a Nissan Note with 4x4 all-wheel drive. So let's figure it out.

• Ground clearance Nissan Note since 2005 (Japan) – 145 mm
• Ground clearance Nissan Note 4WD since 2005 (Japan) – 155 mm
• Ground clearance Nissan Note Rider high performance spec since 2008 – 125 mm
• Ground clearance Nissan Note since 2008 – 145 mm
• Ground clearance Nissan Note 4WD from 2008 – 155 mm
• Ground clearance of Nissan Note 1st generation from 2006 to 2011 (for Russia) – 165 mm
• Ground clearance Nissan Note 2nd generation from 2012 – 150 mm
• Ground clearance Nissan Note NISMO 2nd generation from 2012 – 115 mm
• Ground clearance Nissan Note 4WD 2nd generation from 2012 – 155 mm

In 2016, the second generation of the hatchback underwent another restyling. True, the model is not supplied to the Russian market. The clearance of the most modern Nissan Note ranges from 120 mm on the “charged” version to 155 mm on the all-wheel drive version.

Some manufacturers use a trick and declare the amount of ground clearance in an “empty” car, but in real life we ​​have a trunk full of all kinds of things, passengers and a driver. That is, in a loaded car the ground clearance will be completely different. Another factor that few people take into account is the age of the car and the wear and tear of the springs—their “sagging” due to age. The issue can be resolved by installing new springs or purchasing spacers for sagging springs Nissan Note. Spacers allow you to compensate for spring subsidence and add a couple of centimeters of ground clearance. Sometimes even an inch of curb parking makes a difference.

But you shouldn’t get carried away with “lifting” the Nissan Note’s ground clearance, because spacers to increase ground clearance are focused only on springs. If you do not pay attention to the shock absorbers, the travel of which is often very limited, then independently upgrading the suspension can lead to loss of controllability and damage to the shock absorbers. From the point of view of cross-country ability, high ground clearance in our harsh conditions is good, but at high speeds on the highway and in corners, serious sway and additional body roll appear.

Detailed video of increasing the ground clearance of a Nissan Note by installing spacers for the springs. In addition, the video talks about the manufacture of so-called “houses”, spacers for shock absorbers. After all, when increasing the length of the spring, it is necessary to compensate for the length of the standard shock absorber rod. For this purpose, the mount of the shock absorber itself is moved a little higher with the help of “houses” or “heels”.

Any car manufacturer, when designing the suspension and choosing the ground clearance, looks for a middle ground between handling and cross-country ability. Perhaps the simplest, safest and most unpretentious way to increase clearance is to install wheels with “high” tires. Changing wheels makes it easy to increase the ground clearance by another centimeter. Do not forget that a serious change in ground clearance can damage the CV joints of your Nissan Note. After all, the “grenades” will have to work from a slightly different angle.

“Nissan Note” is a subcompact van produced by Nissan. The first car went on sale in 2004. It is designed on the "B" platform. It is used by many manufacturers, such as Renault, Dasia and others. From the very beginning of production, the car was produced for both the Japanese and European markets. The production plant for the European version is located in the UK.

Specifications

The technical characteristics of the latest generation Nissan Note are presented below.

	1,2	1.5 dCi
Start of sales, g	2013
Recommended fuel	petrol
Engine volume, l	1,2	1,5
Power, l. With.	80	90
Maximum speed, km/h	169	179
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, s	13,6	11,8
Fuel consumption city, l per 100 km	5,7	4,2
Fuel consumption highway, l per 100 km	4,2	3,1
Average fuel consumption, l per 100 km	4,6	3,6
Transmission	mechanical
Number of steps	5
Dimensions, cm	410*169*153
Weight, kg	1037	1015
Luggage compartment volume, l	410
Tank volume, l	41

It is also worth mentioning the ground clearance of the Nissan Note, which is 16.5 centimeters, thanks to which even such a passenger car can easily drive through a curb or a hole.

The car is presented in two engine variations - 1.2- and 1.5-liter. The latest generation of Nissan Note has only two variations, unlike the same 2005 model with a large number of modifications, such as “Comfort”, “Lux”, “Tecna” and “Silver”.

Review

Over the course of 14 years, the car has gone through two generations, and has also undergone restyling of the exterior and interior. The production of the first generation of the Nissan Note car is due to the great demand for this segment of cars. Development began in 2000, and in 2004 the first generation of Nissan Note cars was presented to the public.

The first sales took place in 2005. In the same year in Frankfurt, and a year later in Geneva, the Nissan Note, intended for the European market, was presented.

The main production facility today is a plant in the UK, which was built in 2006. The UK also became the first country in Europe to acquire a Nissan Note car model.

The second generation was presented in 2012 in Japan, and a year later in Europe. The car retained comfort, practicality and originality, but at the same time almost completely changed its design.

The new generation of Nissan Note is slightly lower than the previous version, but the space in the cabin has decreased. Folding tables appeared on the backs of the front seats.

Compared to the previous one, the second generation has become a little more rounded. From the front, the car looks more daring and aggressive, but the front optics, as if built into the radiator grille, are not particularly attractive.

Thanks to the updated suspension, the Nissan Note's ground clearance has become a little higher. To reduce tilt when turning, the chassis has been updated, which is slightly stiffer in the petrol version.

Inside, the car is unremarkable, except that a display has appeared on the center console. The interior is a bit narrow. This can be noticed when changing gears when the hand touches the passenger sitting on the right.

The new deflectors do not fit into the car interior at all, making it more bulky. The instrument panel has a blue backlight on top and consists of all the familiar elements such as the speedometer, tachometer and so on.

Many owners are wondering how to increase the ground clearance of the Nissan Note. It is quite difficult to do this with your own hands; if you contact a service center for a small amount, the ground clearance can be increased by a couple of centimeters. But you should choose something in between cross-country ability and controllability.