Legendary car to return this year: 2025 Nissan Micra confirmed but it will return as an electric car to battle the BYD Dolphin, MG4 and Volkswagen ID.1?

Nissan is going on an electric offensive in 2025.

The Japanese giant has been mired in financial difficulty but it has some tasty product in the pipeline to help it climb out of trouble.

In a recent financial earning presentation the company revealed that two electric cars are due to arrive this year.

We already knew the next-gen Leaf electric car was due this year, but the company revealed a compact EV is also on the way.

This is expected to be the new Micra hatchback.

The Micra was axed from sale in Australia in 2016, but is due to come roaring back as an electric car to battle some of the most affordable and accessible electric cars on the market.

Confirmed details of the new Micra are scarce, but it will be based on the new Renault 5.

This means Micra buyers can expect a 52kWh battery delivering a driving range of about 410km. 

This is matched to an electric motor that makes 110kW and 245Nm delivered to the front wheels.

A cheaper version is also available that shrinks the battery to 50kWh and reduces the electric motor outputs to 90kW/225Nm.

It can charge at a max rate of 11kW when hooked up to an AC charger or 100kW when connected to a DC fast charging pylon. The smaller battery version drops max DC charging speed to 80kW.

The Micra will have similar dimensions to the Renault 5, which means it’ll be less than 4000mm long, which makes it shorter than a Mazda2. 

Despite its diminutive size it should have a roomy cabin compared to similar-sized petrol vehicles. This is because it is built on an EV-only platform that allows for the wheels to be pushed to all four corners and the removal of any mechanical link between front and rear, which will open up space in the cabin.

Nissan Australia hasn’t confirmed the Micra for Down Under, but it is in the process of rejigging its entire model line-up over the next few years.

The company’s local boss, Andrew Humberstone, said late last year it will launch 11 new vehicles before March 2027.

A new Patrol 4WD, Navara ute and Leaf and Ariya electric SUVs are confirmed.

The addition of the Micra to the local line-up could help the brand navigate the Federal Government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).

This policy fines carmakers for selling high-polluting vehicles, but those sales can be offset by selling electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids.

Nissan currently has none of those vehicles on sale since the current Leaf was discontinued.