What Supermini Should Come To The States?

"Blake Noble" (no-bull) 02/17/2014 at 22:56 • Filed to: Burning Questions

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Nissan recently announced that, for the 2015 model year, they would begin selling the tiny Micra in the Canadian market, making its return there after disappearing over two decades ago. The Micra, with it's 96 inch wheelbase, is within spitting distance of the size of the Ford Fiesta and isn't much smaller than Nissan's own Versa.

Europeans designate this segment of small cars with the letter "B," meaning they're larger than something microscopic like a Smart Fortwo but smaller than a Ford Focus. Here in America, we call that same class of cars "subcompacts," but that word leaves a funny Chevette-flavored aftertaste in your mouth. If you live in Britain, you likely refer to them as "superminis," and because I like Black Sabbath, Top Gear , and old Jaguar E-Types, I'm just going to refer to subcompacts (anyone got a Tic Tac?) as superminis from here on out.

Unlike the Versa, the new Micra actually looks kind of neat for a small car. The one pictured is actually enticing to me. And also unlike the Versa, Nissan isn't going to sell it here in the States. I think that's a damn shame, especially considering that if Nissan sold the Micra here, you could take one home for less than $9,500 dollars.

I don't have to tell you how superminis are good for — ahem! — things other than a thrifty tab at the pump. So, with that said, what supermini should come to the States? Do you agree that the Micra should come here? Or is there another small car that should get it's cheeky little ass a green card?

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Nibby > Blake Noble 02/17/2014 at 22:57

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MARUTI 800

oh wait. Fuck you, Suzuki.

Brian Silvestro > Blake Noble 02/17/2014 at 22:58

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yo

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Brian Silvestro 02/17/2014 at 23:00

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Nah, the clio is a bit of a weak link. Maybe the 208, but not the clio for this gen.

Brian Silvestro > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 02/17/2014 at 23:02

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But rear engine rear wheel drive.....

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Brian Silvestro 02/17/2014 at 23:09

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Where the hell did you get that it was RR from? The clio, the twingo, and basically all of their lineup is FF.

Brian Silvestro > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 02/17/2014 at 23:10

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YOOOOOOOOO

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Blake Noble > Brian Silvestro 02/17/2014 at 23:10

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Hey, I like the new Twingo, too.

It can only come here if Renault calls it the "Le Car" and brings back the old "The One To Watch" ad campaign, though.

Brian Silvestro > Blake Noble 02/17/2014 at 23:11

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I'd buy one 10/10 if they did that.

Blake Noble > Nibby 02/17/2014 at 23:13

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No love for the Swift?

I think Suzuki's biggest mistake was choosing not to sell that car here.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Brian Silvestro 02/17/2014 at 23:13

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Well then, let's see the cup version come out and have a supermini supersmackdown!

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > Blake Noble 02/17/2014 at 23:13

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RENAULT TWINGO 133 CUP :O

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Brian Silvestro 02/17/2014 at 23:14

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Yup, RR hatch back would make a fine hoonmobile.

Brian Silvestro > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 02/17/2014 at 23:15

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I want one so bad. It'd be perfect for me right now.

Boxer_4 > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 02/17/2014 at 23:19

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The 2015 Renault Twingo, which will share the platform with the new Smart ForFour, is now rear engined and rear wheel drive.

There will even be an Renaultsport version with 160 hp.

Source

fhrblig > Blake Noble 02/17/2014 at 23:20

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I'm a bit surprised the Ka didn't make it here, especially the current one that's Fiat 500-based. Seeing as how the 500 isn't lighting up the sales charts, I guess they made the right choice. Just seems like it would help Ford to have something to go up against the Chevy Spark.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Brian Silvestro 02/17/2014 at 23:20

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Import one under "Show and Display," then lie about the miles.

Brian Silvestro > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 02/17/2014 at 23:21

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I think about doing that to cars way too much.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Boxer_4 02/17/2014 at 23:23

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I just lost all faith when it said it would share a platform with a smart car. Fuck that POS, keep it in France.

Blake Noble > fhrblig 02/17/2014 at 23:25

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I see plenty of Fiat 500s here in Kentucky, oddly enough.

The new Ka doesn't really have the zest of the original, though. I mean, look at the first-generation model and tell me you don't want to cuddle up in bed with it.

The new one just looks like someone shrunk a Fiesta.

thedevilinside > Blake Noble 02/17/2014 at 23:25

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Is the DS3 considered this class? Because I really want one since I was in a Citroen show room in 2010.

Blake Noble > thedevilinside 02/17/2014 at 23:28

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Yep, the DS3 is a supermini. And I'm not ashamed to admit I'd rock a DS3 Racing.

Jayhawk Jake > Blake Noble 02/17/2014 at 23:28

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I would like to see these on our shores, but probably with a slightly more powerful engine

thedevilinside > Blake Noble 02/17/2014 at 23:30

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That is the one I was thinking about. Would have gotten that over my Focus ST in a second.

promoted by the color red > Blake Noble 02/17/2014 at 23:45

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Great news!

TownaceNoah > Jayhawk Jake 02/17/2014 at 23:52

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This, or Fiat Panda. Whichever gets here first, I will buy.

texasfordfan > Blake Noble 02/17/2014 at 23:57

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I would want an Alfa Romeo MiTo becasue I rented one in Italy and it drove so much better than my dads MINI Cooper S, and was more comfortable.

I also like the Audi S1.

Blake Noble > texasfordfan 02/17/2014 at 23:59

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The Alfa MiTo is already coming to the Sta — oh wait. Sorry.

Damn.

m2m, apex detective > Nibby 02/18/2014 at 04:48

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Yo.

The Swift Sport makes for an awesome 'Ring tool. Don't hate! :<

duurtlang > Blake Noble 02/18/2014 at 05:47

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Citroën DS3 or Peugeot 208 are my best bets here.

Oh, and for those suggesting the Ford Ka, VW Up! and Renault Twingo; neither of those are the B segment superminis, they're A segment 'sub-superminis'. City cars if you will.

markshkim > Blake Noble 02/18/2014 at 07:19

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Maybe a bit too mini.. but..

This is the Kia Ray, 1 litre, seats 5, has a sliding door on the passenger side.

It's actually really roomy inside, and has a optional turbo...

http://www.kia.com/kr/vehicles/ra…

gabdere > Blake Noble 02/18/2014 at 09:38

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not sure it's considered a mini, but the Polo could fill a gap in VW's lineup...

Achmed-the-Delicious > Blake Noble 02/18/2014 at 12:47

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No reason for a green card:

I've got a dirty Sonic RS Turbo...

Rory > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 02/18/2014 at 17:05

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The new Twingo is RR

Rory > Blake Noble 02/18/2014 at 17:07

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My mother Had one. I learned to drive in it, I can confirm its one of the most enjoyable little cars out there. So light and peppy.

Its essentially a puppy.

KirkyV > Rory 02/18/2014 at 18:40

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I've been going back and forth on whether or not to get a SportKA as my next car. I like the way they look, and I'm sure I'd have loads of fun, but their reputation for rusting like a car from the seventies keeps putting me off. Well that, and the interior, which would actually be a step down - at least to my eye - from my 106.

Rory > KirkyV 02/18/2014 at 20:43

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The Interior isn't as bad as some. It is very spartan though, but Its bright at least. Get one in a bright colour and you get to enjoy that exposed metal on the doors. Funky. I am still getting used to the glorious Japanese shades of shiny black in my Civic, My Ibiza was much more inviting. But Vtec.

I have to say the SportKa is an amazing car , Handles amazingly and sounds wonderful. It actually baffles me why they never sold it in Ireland ..well the republic of Ireland. They sold them up north happily.

The rust issue is a bit worrying , but my moms old Ka is still happily pootiling about in my town now on its third owner , it seems to be in good condition.

MN > Blake Noble 02/23/2014 at 17:10

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The Alfa NOTHING is coming to the U.S. Don't believe a word about any Alfa renaissance here until 500 dealers are up and running and they've sold 10,000 cars....and maybe not then.

Blake Noble > MN 02/23/2014 at 21:53

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Alfa's stateside return is now the best thing in development hell, since Duke Nukem Forever isn't there to hog up space anymore.