After the current Nissan Versa wrapped up 2010 as the best-selling car in its class, the recently introduced 2012 Versa Sedan no doubt has a lot to live up to—fortunately for customers, it also has a lot to offer. The all-new model was completely redesigned to showcase traditional Versa benefits like affordability, roominess and efficiency, and Nissan engineers then infused the car with a healthy dose of modern innovation.
"Compact cars are getting a lot of attention lately due to rising fuel costs and concerns about the environment. Yet many buyers are disappointed in what they find—vehicles rife with compromise," says Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. "This new Versa Sedan, a 'clean sheet' ground-up design, takes small cars in a whole new direction—proving that you don't have to sacrifice style for affordability, interior roominess for a smaller footprint, or drivability for high mpg."
As a result, the Versa Sedan boasts 90 cubic feet of cabin volume, which helps it provide passengers with more rear legroom than mid-size sedans like the BMW 5-Series and Lexus LS460. And that's even though the new model is shorter in both height and length than the outgoing Versa Sedan, while also weighing 150 lbs. less as well. Those tidy exterior dimensions are key drivers of the new Versa Sedan's strong fuel-efficiency ratings, which are expected to include an EPA-certified 33 mpg combined—a 10 percent increase.
Also helping matters is a brand-new powertrain. Under the hood of the 2012 Versa Sedan is Nissan's second-generation 1.6-liter I4 engine that is compact and lighter than the previous iteration even though it's packed with the kind of technologies usually only found in bigger, more expensive cars. These include twin continuously variable timing control (CVTC) on both intake and exhaust ports—most vehicles only use CVTC on the intake ports—piston-oiling jets, retuned piston shapes, a wider exhaust manifold, and an advanced fuel-injector system.
In addition to helping achieve stable combustion, "The new dual injector system also uses around half the amount of rare metals in the catalyzer by reducing the amount of unburned fuel and hydrocarbon emissions," according to Castignetti. "To incorporate the new dual-injector system into an entry-level vehicle is very fitting of Nissan's corporate philosophy of 'innovation for all'—bringing advanced technology to high-volume segments rather than saving them only for high-end machines."
The engine is then mated to the automaker's next-gen Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) in all Versa Sedan models except the 1.6 S, which holsters a five-speed manual. The upgraded CVT boasts an auxiliary gearbox using planetary gearing for improved efficiency.
The entire package—including available content like Bluetooth compatibility and a touchscreen navigation system—is then wrapped in a stylish and extremely aerodynamic new body, delivering a low coefficient of drag of just 0.31.
"The new Versa Sedan stands out as the only expensive-looking car in the segment—with a lot of eye power," added Castignetti. "Its sculpted, dynamic proportions are modern without being gimmicky, projecting a much higher sense of design value than you might expect in a vehicle with a ,990 starting MSRP."
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