Nissan Micra returns! New EV supermini due this year with Renault 5 flavour

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Yes, it really is. And yes, fully electric. Welcome to the brand-new Nissan Micra: a car described as “audacious” by its makers, and one that brings a little character back into the small car game.

A game run by the spangly new Renault 5, of course. This one’s spun off the same platform – Nissan and Renault being 'Alliance' partners, you remember – designed by the Japanese carmaker’s London office and ready for deployment later this year.

And just like the Renault 5, it’ll be available with either a 40kWh or 52kWh battery, Nissan targeting a range just shy of 250 miles (400km) for the latter.

Yes, it shares the R5’s boxy silhouette, but Nissan’s poured its own heritage into the face of the ‘daring’ new Micra. It’ll also “remain true to the DNA of its predecessors” via ‘simplicity’, but at this early stage we’re yet to find out what that entails. We've literally only got this image.

This and the new third-gen Leaf form part of a new global model offensive by Nissan in a bid to kickstart its turnaround. A turnaround that includes a next-gen hybrid powertrain – under the guise of ‘e-power’ – refreshed combustion engined-cars (for various markets around the world), unveiling a new minivan and Kei car for Japan, revitalising Infiniti in the US, and even a striking new Juke for Europe.

“We are committed to investing in products that embody the very best of Nissan,” said incoming new Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa. The new Micra will be on sale before the end of the year, so not long to find out.