- 4.8L/100km highway fuel economy (CVT-equipped models)
- Smart packaging and class-leading** total interior volume, with Divide N Hide storage system (adjustable rear load floor)
- Available NissanConnectSM with Navigation System, Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant, RearView Monitor and class-exclusive Around View® Monitor
- Starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)*** of $13,348 CAN
The all-new 2014 Nissan Versa Note goes on sale at Nissan's Canadian dealers in June 2013 and gives notice that, in an era of changing consumer needs and expectations, Versa intends to be at the forefront of the entry-level pack.
Brian Thomas, Director of Marketing, Nissan Canada Inc. said: "The all-new Versa Note celebrates the unique qualities of its 5-door hatchback design - something we are calling 'Your Door to More.' Versa Note is a passion enabler, thanks to its exceptional combination of versatility, technology and value. It's transformative, satisfying owners' emotional and rational needs with features such as sleek styling and features like our Around View® Monitor at an affordable price."
The all-new Versa Note will complement the Nissan family, with its own distinctive look, feel and added hatchback utility. It carries the Note designation used in other global Nissan markets, as well as the PURE DRIVE badge, designating it as having low CO2 emissions and exceptional fuel efficiency.
The all-new Versa Note is offered in a range of well-equipped grade levels: S, SV and the top-of-the-line SL model. Each is equipped with an advanced 1.6-litre DOHC 4-cylinder engine with dual fuel injection and Twin CVTC (Continuously Variable Timing Control).
The Versa Note S, SV and SL are available with either a 5-speed manual transmission or an available next-generation Nissan Xtronic CVT® transmission. Fuel economy for the front-wheel drive Versa Note is City: 6.1L/100km, Hwy: 4.8L/100km, Combined: 5.5L/100km.
A Bold New Look - Open, Aero and Energetic
The 2014 Nissan Versa Note's sculpted, modern styling is designed to accomplish two things: provide enhanced aerodynamics to help improve fuel economy and to stand out from the crowd of entry-level competitors. Its dramatic shape and proportions provide an energetic look that reflects the active lives of its target buyers.
Along with its steeply sloped front windshield and deeply sculpted doors, Versa Note features a dramatic character line called the "squash line." Inspired by the international sport of squash, the line follows the trajectory of a squash ball hitting a wall, bouncing on the court floor and returning to the player. This "rebound path" projects the dynamic energy of Versa Note in both look and driving feel.
Attention to aerodynamic detail helps Versa Note achieve a coefficient of drag of 0.308. The large front spoiler combines with a "kick up" roof shape and low aero-drag floor structure (including front and rear tire deflectors, rear suspension beam mounted flush with floor and fuel tank deflectors) to direct airflow over, under and around the body.
The iconic front grille and large multi-reflector headlights are paired with Note's "boomerang" rear taillights, which are similar to those found on the Nissan 370Z and Nissan JUKE.
The special "vented" taillight design includes special outlets and lip to help guide air away from the body for reduced air turbulence and improved rear lamp visibility in bad weather.
Versa Note's dynamic design also takes full advantage of its dramatic shape and proportions to provide an energetic look that reflects the active lives of its target buyers. Utilizing Nissan's global "V" platform, it features a long 102.4-inch (260.096 cm) wheelbase and short front and rear overhangs to provide a sporty stance and maximize interior roominess. Other key exterior features include large multi-reflector halogen headlights, rear combination lights with aero flares for improved aerodynamics and a wide sweeping grille with deep front fascia. Heated sideview mirrors are standard for the Canadian winters.
Another key aspect of the new platform and drivetrain is an estimated 300-pound reduction in overall weight - including more than 200 pounds from structure optimization and more than 50 pounds through use of the new engine, CVT transmission and driveshaft.
Eight exterior colours are offered: Metallic Peacock, Morning Sky Blue, Metallic Blue, Red Brick, Brilliant Silver, Magnetic Gray, Super Black and Aspen White.
Roomy Interior, Segment-First Technology
Nowhere is "Your Door to More" more apparent than in the roomy five-passenger Versa Note interior, which provides a spacious, best-in-class total interior volume of 112.9 cubic feet (3,197 litres), cargo space of 18.8 cubic feet (532.4 litres) - an increase from the previous generation Versa hatchback's 17.8 cubic feet (504 litres). Cargo area liftover height has also been reduced by 1.7 inches (4.3 cm) for easier loading and unloading of heavy or bulky objects.
Also leading the segment* is Note's front headroom of 40.8 inches (1,037mm) and rear legroom of 38.3 inches (972.7 mm)- which is nearly 3.7 (93.98mm) inches longer than the nearest competitor (38.3 inches versus 34.6 inches) - making Versa Note both child-friendly and comfortable for adults.
"Common industry practice is to compromise either passenger room or cargo space, trading one for the other. Note's advanced design gives you both, enabling owners to take their passions - and friends and family - anywhere," added Thomas.
Interior versatility is further enhanced through use of an available Divide-N-Hide® Adjustable Floor. With the standard 60/40-split fold-down rear seat folded down, a large flat cargo area is created. Lifting up the cargo floor board reveals a hidden area underneath to keep valuables out of sight. When more space is needed for carrying taller or bulkier items, lowering the floor board creates a deeper cargo well. The floor board is designed to stay in the vehicle yet is easily removed if desired. It's a simple solution to balance the need for a flat load floor or maximum cargo capacity or security.
Said Thomas: "Along with exceptional spaciousness, Versa Note offers the ingenuity to address the needs of owners who need one vehicle to perform the tasks of many - people hauler, cargo hauler, commuter transportation and weekend playmate."
The roomy interior is also a perfect match for the stylish Versa Note exterior. The long list of features starts with the standard cloth seating, 4-way adjustable front bucket seats (S) with 6-way seats available (SV, SL), Fine Vision instrumentation, AM/FM/CD/Aux-in audio system with 4 speakers, 12-volt power outlet, front door pockets with bottle holders, dual front and rear cupholders, front seatback pockets and many more amenities.
Heated front seats with upgraded seat cloth and stitching are also available, along with leather-wrapped steering wheel, chrome/silver accents, USB input with iPod® control and steering wheel-mounted audio and Bluetooth® controls. Two interior colours are offered: Charcoal and Wheat Stone.
Among the new Versa Note's unexpected and affordable technology is class-exclusive availability of Nissan's advanced Around View® Monitor. The system utilizes four small superwide-angle cameras mounted on the front, side and rear of the vehicle to provide a virtual 360° view of objects around the vehicle, with selectable split-screen close-ups of the front, rear and curb views, helping the driver manoeuvre the car into tight spots.
The Around View® Monitor is offered as part of the SL Tech Package, which also features NissanConnectSM with Navigation System with NavTraffic (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately). The system includes a 5.8-inch (14.73 cm) colour touch-screen display, Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant, Streaming Audio via Bluetooth®, real time local fuel prices, weather forecasts, flight information, POIs powered by Google™ and Google™ Send-to-Car.
Said Thomas: "No matter what the vehicle size, people hate parking - whether parallel parking in a tight space or pulling in or out of a space with large vehicles on either side. We're making technology such as the Around View® Monitor and the NissanConnectSM with Navigation System affordable because innovation and piece-of-mind should not be the exclusive territory of higher priced vehicles."
Along with the POIs powered by Google™'s more than five million points of interest, the Google™ Send-to-Car feature allows the user to send any address to the navigation system using a computer. Directions are delivered and loaded into the Navi system when the user initiates a quick update through the touch screen interface.
The NissanConnectSM with Navigation System's Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant allows drivers to receive and respond to text messages without touching their cell phones. With a touch of a button messages can be read to the driver and answered with pre-loaded responses via voice recognition (not available with iPhone®).
Other available Versa Note technology includes Nissan Intelligent Key® with Push Button Ignition, integrated interface system for USB/iPod®, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, RearView Monitor and SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately).
The Right Combination of Power and Fuel Economy
With entry-level buyers today looking for value not just in the initial purchase price but also in day-to-day operation, the 2014 Versa Note is designed to provide the perfect combination of fuel economy and performance. Anchoring the front-wheel drive Versa Note is a 1.6-litre HR16DE 4-cylinder engine rated at 109 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 107 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm.
The engine includes a range of cutting-edge technologies, including a dual fuel injector system that allows a wider injection of fuel (versus traditional single injector systems), with the smaller nozzles delivering a spray approximately 57 percent finer than the previous generation single injector design's particle size to help achieve more complete combustion.
The compact, lightweight engine also utilizes a Twin Continuously Variable Timing Control (CVTC) system mounted on intake and exhaust ports (versus conventional CVTC systems, which are mounted only on the intake port), similar to the system used on the flagship Nissan Maxima. Using a CVTC on the outlet port increases thermal efficiency, decreases inhalation resistance and offers an approximate four percent improvement in fuel efficiency (over the previous engine design).
The 2014 Versa Note is offered with a choice of two transmissions - a 5-speed manual transmission or a next-generation Xtronic CVT® transmission. The CVT allows continuous change of the transmission gear ratio by connecting the two pulleys with a metallic belt and changing their diameter by using hydraulic pressure.
Aiding efficiency is an integrated auxiliary gearbox using planetary gearing. The CVT features a transmission ratio of 7.3:1, broader than those of conventional CVTs and even typical 7-speed automatic transmissions. A CVT oil warmer transfers engine coolant heat to the CVT oil, helping reduce CVT friction during cold starts, increasing short trip fuel economy.
In addition to the advanced engine and transmission designs, excellent everyday drivability is provided by an independent strut front suspension with stabilizer bar, torsion beam rear axle with integrated stabilizer bar, and electric power steering. Braking is provided by standard power-assisted front disc/rear drum brakes with standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.
Versa Note rides on standard 15-inch steel wheels with full wheel covers and 185/65HR15 all-season tires, while 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 195/55HR16 all-season tires are available. Low rolling resistance tires are standard on all models.
Every Versa Note also carries the PUREDRIVE™ badge, making it just one of a family of PUREDRIVE™ vehicles, reflecting Nissan's commitment to developing more environmentally friendly transportation for everyone.
Standard safety and security systems include the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) (includes dual-stage front supplemental air bags), front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags, roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Traction Control System (TCS)
A Range of Well-Equipped Grade Levels, $13,348 Starting M.S.R.P.
The all-new Versa Note will be offered in S, SV and SL grade levels - along with a SV Convenience package, and SL Tech Package. The new Versa Note will start with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $13,348 when it goes on sale in June 2013.
Just two equipment optional packages are offered: Convenience Package and the Tech Package. The Convenience Package is available on SV models and includes wide 2-DIN Display Audio with AM/FM/CD/iPod®/Aux 4.3-inch display, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately), USB input w/iPod® control, RearView Monitor, rear seat armrest with cupholders and Divide-N-Hide® Adjustable Floor and a rear tonneau cover.
The Tech Package is available on the 1.6SL CVT and adds NissanConnect with NavigationSM, 5.8-inch color touch-screen display, Nissan Voice Recognition for audio and navigation, NavTraffic, NissanConnect, POIs powered by Google™, Google™ Send-to-Car, Real-time Fuel, Flight and Weather info, Streaming audio via Bluetooth®, Hands-free text messaging assistant and Around View Monitor.
Said Thomas: "At Nissan, innovation is more than just a new feature or technology, it's about helping people live their lives a little better, a little easier. This all-new Versa Note does that in many ways - with styling that excites, room for everyone, interior versatility for life's spontaneous moments, fuel efficiency for fewer trips to the gas station, entertainment and navigation systems that complement users' smart phones and other devices rather than compete with them. It truly is the door to more."
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** 2013 AIAMC Subcompact Segment. MY14 Versa Note vs. 2013 competitors. Competitor cargo space volumes from AutoPlanner.
*** MSRP excludes applicable tax, title, license fees and destination charges. Dealer sets actual price.
**** Among MY13 competitors at time of print.
