Technical Report: Comparing Nissan Micra and Chevrolet Spark Cars

This technical report provides a detailed comparison of the Nissan Micra and Chevrolet Spark, focusing on key features such as engine performance, safety and security, design, fuel economy, and warranty. The report highlights the engine specifications, noting the Micra's three-cylinder petrol engine and the Spark's 1.4-litre engine. Design aspects like dimensions, legroom, and boot space are compared, with the Micra offering more boot space. Safety features, including ABS and airbags, are also analyzed. The report concludes with a recommendation favoring the Nissan Micra based on its overall performance, fuel efficiency, and reasonable price, making it a valuable resource for potential car buyers. Desklib provides this and other solved assignments for students.

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TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION
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Technical communication
Introduction
We live in a technological era where every car user always want to get the best out of every car
they purchase or own. The duties of a car have increasingly become more important. In this day
and age, cars are used all over the world and it has turned out to be the most popular mode of
transport in basically all countries. Because of this, there have been several developments in the
automobile industry. Every developer is working hard to model cars that are more efficient and
most effective to serve its purpose. Different car users have different tastes and preferences
which greatly depend on what purpose they would like to use the car for. These considerations
range from car prices, the type of fuel the car would run on, the body style, size and shape, level
of safety assured among others [9].
This report is therefore tasked with the duty of comparing two automobiles, a Nissan Micra and
Chevrolet Spark as per the request of customers. It will discuss several features of the cars in
question, therefore, the customers are able to carefully compare and make the right decision on
which of the cars best suits them before they make their purchase. Some of the key features that
will be discussed for the two cars in question will include the following;- engine and
performance, safety and security, the design of cars and star rating, fuel economy, warranty and
running cost. More and detailed information will also be used on expounding comparison of the
two cars built by different companies with the same price [2].

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Engine and performance
Chevrolet Spark
The Chevrolet Spark has a 98-horsepower 1.4-litre engine. It is built on S-TEC type of engine
[10]. It doesn’t have too much growl though, therefore not snarlier than the Nissan Micra hence
sounds smooth and delivers more willingly. Has a more noticeable 13 lb-ft torque deficit than the
11- horsepower deficit as compared to the Nissan Micra. Because of this, it has to be rowed
along more on the gearbox in order to reach equal pace. Fortunately, though, this is made easier
this it has a clutch that is pleasantly progressive, a user-friendly shifter and an engine that rotates
with reduced buzz. Its highest gear achieves a 120km/h at 33000rpm [7]. The quality of its ride is
averagely descent due to its competent frictionless steering directives. The Chevrolet Spark
recorded a 5.4 litres/100km fuel consumption rate. The maximum top speed of a Spark is 164
kilometer per hour.
Nissan Micra
It is built on a three-cylinder petrol type of engine. It is a 1.6-litre engine with a generous
displacement that translates into ample torque. This enables the Nissan Micra to be punted along
briskly with little effort. It is anyway easy and fun to reverse. It has an agile handling capability
and a fun to drive factor that gives it an edge over the Chevrolet Spark. Its suspension kicks
when driven over severe bumps and its engine sounds make a more aggressive growl than that of
the Chevrolet Spark. Also has a big powertrain downside which is a combination of some engine
flat spots and a sharpish clutch. This often makes driving smooth a challenge. Its NVH is
endurable for a bargain-bin econobox with a mid-range resonance that reaches a 110 km/h at
3600rpm high while on the freeway. And finally as always expected from a Micra, it surpasses

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the formal fuel consumption figures with a 5.2 liters per 100 kilometers. The maximum top
speed for a Micra is 166 kilometer per hour [3].
Design of cars
Chevrolet Spark
The Spark has a length of 3495 mm, a width of 1495 mm, a height of 1518 mm, wheelbase of
2345 mm, ground clearance of 170 mm and a kerb weight of 840 kg [6]. Has got sufficient
legroom that is able to accommodate up to 5-foot eight inch of sitting behind the wheel. Also got
a driver’s seat and a steering wheel that can be adjusted to height. It is designed with a modern
cockpit that has a stylish dashboard having at its centerpiece a 7-inch color touchscreen. Has five
doors and sitting capacity of five on seating rows for two. Its boot space has a capacity of 38
liters. Its wheels are made of steel rims. The Chevrolet Spark comes in different colors from
caviar black, misty lake metallic, linen beige, switchblade silver, summit white and velvet red
[4].
Nissan Micra
The Nissan Micra has a 3.8-metre length exceeding the Chevrolet Spark. It has a length of 3825
mm, a height of 1530 mm, a width of 1665 mm, wheelbase of 2450 mm, ground clearance of 154
mm and a kerb weight of 930 kg. Though its shape may seem bulbous, it has a low drag
coefficient at 0.315 which is a great achievement for such a small two-box vehicle. It has got no
capability to adjust its seat. Its height is definitely favoring to get a good viewing. Also got a
generous headroom such that its lofty seat is able to accommodate taller drivers. It has got seat
belts for three in its rear cabin and a slightly more generous legroom than the Spark. It has five
doors and a sitting capacity for five on seating rows of two. Its boot space can accommodate up

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to 251 liters. Also has its wheels built from steel wheels. It comes in different colors from onyx
black, night shade, brick red, blade silver, brick red, storm white and sunshine orange [1].
Safety and security
Nissan Micra
The Nissan Micra is installed with an antilock braking system (ABS). Also has an electronic
brake distribution (EBD) system and brake assist system. Both the driver and the front passenger
have airbags installed just in case of occurrence of an accident. Unfortunately, though, it has no
front side airbags that makes it a total of only two airbags. The Micra has an automatic drive
away locking. Its ISOFIX child seat is mounted on the outer rear.
Chevrolet Spark
The Chevrolet Spark is installed with an antilock braking system (ABS) that enhances the
security of your car. Has an electronic brake distribution (EBD) system though it does not have a
brake assist system. Both the front passenger and the driver have airbags installed for them and
this enhances their safety and chances of survival in case of occurrence of an accident. Also has
front side airbags on either side of the car, therefore, making a total of 4 airbags for the Chevrolet
Spark. It has an ISOFIX child seat mounted on the outer rear of the vehicle [8].
Economy
Nissan Micra
For the fuel consumption rates, the Micra beats the Spark with a record 5.2 liters per 100
kilometers on average. This should be a good consideration to look into when making a decision
on what car to purchase. Because of the low consumption rate, it makes it very economical and

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easily maintainable. Its CO2 emissions are slightly lower as well at an average of 124 grams per
kilometer. This makes it environmentally friendly since higher CO2 emissions have always
proved dangerous to human life and their activities. The Micra has an emission control of phase
Euro EU level rated at 4.
Chevrolet Spark
The Spark has an urban fuel consumption rate of 7.0 l/100 km, an extra-urban fuel consumption
rate of 4.5 l/100 km making an average of 5.4 l/100 km fuel consumption rate [10]. This
indicates a slightly higher fuel consumption rate as compared to the Micra hence not so
economical. CO2 emissions from the Spark are rated at 129 grams per kilometer. This rate is
relatively alarming as compared to the Micra since increased CO2 emissions into the
environment may prove dangerous to the environment and its creatures. For the environmentally
cautious individuals, choosing a Micra over a Spark would be the most likely situation
Pricing
The average price for a Micra goes for R161500 while that of a Spark goes for R168200
inclusive of tax.

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Recommendations
Having carefully looked into a majority of the features and specifications of the two cars and
weighed into the differences in both, we realize that all have their own strengths. The Nissan
Micra clearly stands out in all comparisons. Its price is equally reasonable and affordable. Its
features and specifications, design and performance are much better than the other car. The fuel
consumption rate, overall price, and engine performance are the three main factors to carefully
consider when making the final decision on what car to purchase and in all the areas, the Nissan
Micra does outdo the Chevrolet Spark.
This report is therefore very useful to all those individuals who are having a difficult time
making that decision on the car to purchase. Each and every car buyer always has the main
purpose of buying a car. The discussions in this report will also make that individual make a
decision without being influenced whatsoever [5].

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References
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new cars: Country-of-origin effects. International Marketing Review, 12(6), pp.47-59.
[2] Harrison, A., 2013. Outsourcing in the automotive industry: the elusive goal of tier 0.5.
Manufacturing Engineer, 83(1), pp.42-45.
[3] Hastings, A., Pollard, J.K., Garay-Vega, L., Stearns, M.D. and Guthy, C., 2011. Quieter cars
and the safety of blind pedestrians, phase 2: Development of potential specifications for vehicle
countermeasure sounds (No. HS-811 496).
[4] Jung, A.F., 2010. Price variations among automobile dealers in Chicago, Illinois. The
Journal of Business, 32(4), pp.315-326.
[5] Moorthy, S., Ratchford, B.T. and Talukdar, D., 2014. Consumer information search
revisited: Theory and empirical analysis. Journal of consumer research, 23(4), pp.263-277.
[6] Newman, J.W. and Staelin, R., 2011. Prepurchase information seeking for new cars and
major household appliances. Journal of Marketing Research, pp.249-257.
[7] Punj, G.N. and Staelin, R., 2010. A model of consumer information search behavior for new
automobiles. Journal of consumer research, 9(4), pp.366-380.
[8] Ratchford, B.T., Lee, M.S. and Talukdar, D., 2013. The impact of the Internet on information
search for automobiles. Journal of Marketing research, 40(2), pp.193-209.
[9] SIMĂN, V.I., 2015. DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS AND SIZING MODELS
POTENTIALLY APPLICABLE IN THE INTERIOR OF CARS. Revista Română de Statistică-
Supliment nr, p.67.
[10] Tybout, A.M., Fahey, N. and Bridgette, B., 2017. Marketing the Nissan Micra and Tata
Nano Using Social Media. Kellogg School of Management Cases, pp.1-12.