Gear ratios: 2015 Micra transmission, 5-speed & automatic (speed vs RPM) UK also

[Daox]

This info was taken from Nissan Mexico's website. Calculations were made using a 603mm tire diameter (diameter of a 185/60R15 tire). Calculations are slightly different for a 185/55 R16 tire.

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See also: Head to head: 2015 Micra manual vs. automatic MPG/fuel economy comparison
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5-Speed Manual Transmission

1st - 3.727
2nd - 2.048
3rd - 1.393
4th - 1.029
5th - 0.821

Reverse - 3.545

Final drive - 4.055

Note: compare to Euro Micra gear ratios in post #33, below.







4-Speed Automatic Transmission

1st - 2.861
2nd - 1.562
3rd - 1.000
4th - 0.697

Reverse - 2.310

Final drive - 4.055

[Darcane]

Pretty low gearing on that manual...

For a small, light car with a relatively high torque engine, you'd think it would have higher gearing.

[Daox]

Its supposed to be fun to drive. Check out the power to weight ratio compairison. The Micra is near the top of the list. $10k and fun to drive is the target of the car.

[Cali98]

Forget my other post about gear ratios. I searched google and was brought back to this site! Hahah! These ratios also indicate that the engine and tranny are about what my 1998 Civic DX coupe is: my 5 speed manual transmission had a 4.058:1 final drive and a 0.701:1 5th gear. That is taller than the Micra 5 speed manual. So with a 1.6L 109 HP 4 cylinder engine, a curb weight of about 2150 lbs, and a 5th gear cruising engine speed of about 2000 rpms at 45-50 mph, this car is a lot like my 1998, which I was able to get over 60 mpg out of with not too terrible radical modding.

[Cali98]

Others have gotten WAY over EPA on the Civics without ANY modding, so the official numbers on this car are not nearly the whole story of its potential.

[vskid3]

They should have made 5th higher or added a 6th gear. In my opinion, a higher 5th would be fine. 1st-3rd handle all the legal speeds for the "fun factor". They probably have it this way because people don't know how to downshift and want passing power in 5th. If you want passing power in top gear, get a big V8 (my '04 GTO would do just under 2k RPM in 6th at 75MPH, but still had plenty of power on tap). An Insight without assist teaches you about downshifting real quick.
It should be quite a rocket with gearing that low and that much power/weight.

[Cali98]

They should have made 5th higher or added a 6th gear.

I agree. They could mark it out in green on the shifter, like I think the Chevy Cruze Eco does. Put "5" in red and "6" in green and more people would probably get that you use 6 for freeway cruising and 5 for passing. The dealerships could talk it up, greenwashing style, during test drives.

[Daox]

That is a nice idea. I don't see the Micra getting a 6 speed anytime soon though. Too much cost.

[jeff88]

Maybe when the K14 comes out?

The FD is crazy high (low?) though! My Corolla only has a 2.655 FD! I think that 4.055 FD helps with having a little peppiness up front, while having decent FE for cruising, no?

[Daox]

The high final drive will definitely help with peppiness, but it will also hurt highway cruising MPG due to higher rpms.