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30 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday September 13, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com EVERYTHING Auto your guide to everything auto in Oakville INSIDE: 2007 Nissan Versa . . . . . . .Page 31 Mini magic . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 34 Saab unveils new interior driver focus . . . . . .Page 36 EVERYTHIN By Jim Robinson ROAD WORTHY Nissan re-enters the entry-level segment with the 2007 Versa At a glance... BODY STYLE: Sub-compact five-door hatchback. DRIVE METHOD: front-engine, front-wheel-drive. ENGINE: 1.8-litre, DOHC four-cylinder 122 hp, 127 lb/ft) FUEL ECONOMY: six-speed manual 7.9/6.3L/100 km (36/45 mpg) city/highway; four-speed automatic, 8.5/6.2L/100 km (33/46 mpg); CVT 7.9/6.1L/100 km (36/46 mpg). PRICE: 1.8 S manual $14,498, 1.8 S VOP $15,898 (automatic adds $1,000); 1.8 SL manual $17,098 (auto, $18,398); 1.8 SL Tech manual $18,098, CVT $19,398. WEBSITE: Nissan.ca The 2007 Nissan Versa is the tip of the second wave of products that has brought the Japanese carmaker from near death to profitability. After Carlos Ghosn took over the reigns of Nissan as COO in 1999, he embarked on one of the greatest turnarounds in automotive history. Almost by magic, cars like the Murano, Altima and a series of lifestyle trucks like the X-trail and Xterra brought people flocking back into Nissan dealerships and, as a bonus, "discovering" the Infiniti luxury division and vehicles such as the G35 and FX SUVs. Back in Japan there were even comic books about Ghosn and his crusading efforts to vault Nissan back from the grave. But funneling resources into new product always means something has to suffer and this included Nissan participation in the subcompact segment while clinging to the com- pact Sentra that was behind the curve. In fact, Nissan took itself out of the entry car segment more than a decade ago when they dropped the Sentra Classic in 1993. But times, and gasoline prices, have changed and the entry-level car now accounts for more than half of all sedans purchased in this country. As Nissan officials pointed at the launch of the new Versa, there is plenty of opportunity for makers of subcompacts as Toyota, Honda and Hyundai/Kia are proving. Versa is based on a joint Nissan/Renault 'B' segment chassis with the Versa version being engineered for North American requirements and statutes. From the outset, making the interior as large and accommodating as possible was the design mantra. What Nissan will tout about the Versa, besides having the biggest engine in the segment and the only six-speed manual, will be its size. While it competes in the sub-compact arena Versa feels like it's in the compact class in size with more than enough room in the back for people over six feet. But what will strike people when they first get in the Versa will be, not just the quality look of the materials, but the feel. The armrests, for instance, are softer than those on a big armchair. Everything from the switches to the covering on the dashboard has a subtle tactile texture to the touch. Outwardly, the Versa looks like a box, but it has a sportscar-like drag coefficient of 0.31. The wheelbase at 2,600 mm (102.4 inches) is closer to a midsize sedan, but the extremely short front and rear overhangs are what keep it in the entry-level class. Open the hood and you'll see the engine is actually pushed back, part of it fits under the windshield. It shows how hard the engineers worked to maximize packaging. The payoff comes in the cabin where the driver can sit with her/his seat all the way back and enjoy arms and legs out seating. But, at the same time, the passenger behind Continued on Page 31 Oak-land Ford Lincoln y Offer expires Oct. 2nd. p $500 Bounty N YOU TRADE ANY GM,TOY O ISSAN OR H e, 570 TRAFALGAR ROAD, OAKVILLE · AT THE QEW · WWW.OAKLANDFORDLINCOLN.CA 1-866-398-4270