Nissan March III (K12) photos

The third-generation Nissan March, designated by the chassis code K12 and produced from 2002 to 2010, marked a major technological leap over the previous K11 series as the first model built on the newly developed Nissan B platform shared within the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Its bold, rounded exterior styling featured high-mounted headlamps and an arched roofline that maximized interior headroom and cabin space despite compact exterior dimensions. The model was primarily offered as a three-door and five-door hatchback, complemented by a retractable hardtop coupe-convertible variant on select markets. In Japan, the powertrain lineup centered around inline four-cylinder petrol engines from the CR family in 1.0-liter, 1.2-liter, and 1.4-liter displacements, later joined by a 1.5-liter HR-series unit, while European-market counterparts sold as the Nissan Micra also received turbodiesel options and a sporty 1.6-liter variant. Transmission choices consisted of a five-speed manual, a four-speed automatic, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) paired with the 1.5-liter engine, alongside an innovative e-4WD system in Japan that used an electric motor to drive the rear wheels on slippery surfaces. Facelifts in 2005 and 2007 refreshed the front grille, bumpers, lighting clusters, and cabin trim while adding updated equipment. Sold extensively in Japan as the March and across Europe, Oceania, and Asia as the Micra, the K12 earned recognition for its tight turning radius, optional Intelligent Key system, and practical urban usability.