Nissan Micra

But the last design was considered radical when it was unveiled in 1992, and that car is still on sale - remarkable for a company which usually in-troduces fresh models every four years. So is the new car good enough to go the distance, too?

Whether you like the look or not, the Micra is certainly different in a market which is traditionally conservative. But this isn't the only reason for the Micra (called March in Japan) being the shape it is. Once inside, you notice the extra space, despite the car being 25mm shorter than the outgoing model. Sitting on the same platform as that of the upcoming Renault Clio, the new Micra gains 75mm in width and a staggering 100mm in height.

That translates into more headroom all-round and extra rear legroom. The interior isn't merely big, it's intelligently laid out and even has remote access and an ignition-starting 'intelligent key', a feature previously only available on top Mercedes models. The powertrain is more conventional, though. Powered by a choice of a 1.2 or 1.4-litre in-line four-cylinder engine, the Micra delivers competitive performance. We focused on the 1.4-litre 100bhp mated to a traditional four-speed automatic gearbox - the popular CVT has been dropped on cost grounds. It's a shame, because although the box is generally fine, there is noticeable shunt, especially between first and second, which the CVT version never had.

The all-new chassis has less compromises and the Micra handles well. But will the styling be too radical for Britain? We'll know in about 10 years!