The is a supermini/subcompact hatchback or a mini MPV manufactured and marketed globally by Nissan. Introduced in 2004, the first-generation Note was primarily marketed in Japan and Europe, and was produced in Japan and the United Kingdom. The second-generation model was sold in other regions, including North America where it was manufactured in Mexico and marketed as the Versa Note, and Thailand, where it serves as one of the B-segment hatchback offered by the brand alongside the smaller March/Micra under the Eco Car tax scheme.
In 2017, the second-generation Note was replaced by the French-built K14 Micra for the European market. The Versa Note was discontinued in North America in 2019 due to the decreasing demand for subcompact hatchbacks in the region. It continued to be produced and sold in Japan up to the introduction of the third-generation Note in late 2020.
The Note was introduced with a series hybrid drivetrain in late 2016 as the Note e-Power. Due to its popularity and the push of electrification, the third-generation Note is only available with the e-Power drivetrain, with a WLTC fuel economy of .
First generation (E11; 2004)
Development Due to poor sales of the Almera Tino, which had sold 200,000 cars in 7 years compared to its main rival, the Renault Scénic, which had sold 1,400,000 cars after the introduction of its second-generation model, Nissan began development of what would later become the Note in summer 2002. At the 2004 Paris Motor Show, the Nissan Tone concept was unveiled. While similar to the production model, the concept has some unique features such as a U-shaped panoramic roof, large dashboard screen, automatic gearbox, and always had its rear doors locked.
Chris Lee, Nissan's product manager, says that millions of dollars were invested in development and that the Note was meant to be sold under €13,000.
Production model (2005) The production version was unveiled and went on sale on 20 January 2005 in Japan. The European model was unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show, followed by the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. Retail models went on sale in Europe in early 2006. The United Kingdom was the first market to have the Note launch, being released on 1 March 2006. The car shares some of its underpinnings with the Renault Modus, and manufactured at Nissan's plant in Washington, England. Early models included a choice of four engines, which are a 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol; and two options of a 1.5-litre diesel. It is an indirect successor to the conventional medium-sized Almera hatchback for the region.
The trim levels for the European market were the S, SE and SVE, later replaced by Visia, Visia+, Acenta, Acenta R, and Tekna. In the Russia/CIS region, the Note was sold with Comfort, Luxury, and Tekna trim levels. Cars made for this market before 2009 have standard OBDII diagnostics.
Japanese version
European version
Safety
Production Production of the European Note began in January 2006 at the Sunderland plant in the UK.
The Note was produced in Nissan's Oppama Plant.
Marketing A CD single called 'C'mon Everybody Note&Pencils' was released by Pony Canyon on 9 August 2006, which included Eddie Cochran's C'mon Everybody (original, DJ UTO remix, instrumental) used in the Nissan Note commercial premiered on 12 May 2006. The CD cover shows a Marine Blue Note 15S V package drawing on a 50m x 40m notebook with blue tire tracks. The Note commercial was performed by Toshihiro Yashiba of JFCT INC.
2007 facelift (for EU-made models) In 2007, the Note received a mid-cycle facelift. Both bumpers are now fully painted, the radio antenna is now at the rear of the roof, and the headlamp washer lost its dedicated button and become fully automatic which lead to excessive cleaner fluid consumption. New radio models were offered and some less significant and invisible changes were made.
2008 update (only Japanese-made models)
Nissan Note, +Plus navi HDD, Note Rider, Note Rider performance spec (2008–)
Changes to the Note include a redesigned head lamp, engine hood, front grille, front bumper coloured/gun metallic front grille on G/X series models, smoke plated front grille on sporty series models,3 new colours (blue turquoise titan pearl metallic, frost green titan metallic, amethyst grey pearl metallic) for total of 10 body colour choices, new seat and door trim options sand beige, black, carbon black (with red stitching), sand beige interior includes colour scheme change, 2-link meter (LCD odometer, trim trip meter with fuel consumption display) as standard equipment, sporty series (15RX/15RS) includes white meter, dimpled leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel with red stitching (standard in 15RX), rear centre arm rest with 2 cup holders (standard in 15G, 15G FOUR, 15RX) water spray seats (standard in 15G, 15G FOUR), cold terrain vehicles include 4-wheel drive as standard equipment, driver seat seat belt reminder as standard equipment, 2-wheel drive models with HR15DE engine and Xtronic CVT transmission passed JC08 model fuel consumption and emission tests.
Japanese models went on sale on 16 January 2008. Early models include 15X F package, 15X, 15G, 15RS, 15RX, 15X FOUR F package, 15X FOUR, and 15G FOUR.
European model was unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The 1.5-litre dCi engine models went on sale in September 2008, followed by 1.4-litre petrol engine models in October 2008.
2010 Nissan Note update (EU-made models only) European second facelift/restyle models went on sale in the late 2010 as 2011 model year vehicles. Early models had a choice of 3 engines (1.5-litre dCi turbo diesel engine (N/A in CIS/Russia), 1.4-litre with 65 kW (88 hp), and a 1.6-litre with 81 kW (110 hp) petrol), choice of 10 body colours (a metallic red and a metallic grey - added to replace three outgoing colours; two solid colours and 8 metallics). Many changes were made to the interior and exterior. The lights, bumpers, grille, and dashboard were significantly changed. Nissan Connect Radio/Navi offered as option for high trim levels. AT software was tuned to stay on the safe side while ATF is not warm enough.
Nissan Note 15X SV +Plasma, 15X FOUR SV +Plasma (2011-2012 Japanese-made models only) There are versions of Nissan Note 15X SV and 15X FOUR SV for the Japanese market, with intelligent air conditioning system with 1-touch clean switch.
The vehicles went on sale on 30 June 2011.
Autech Note Rider Blackline (2011-2012 Japanese made models only) It is a version of the Nissan Note Rider 15X SV (2WD 1.5L) and 15X FOUR SV (e･4WD 1.5L) for the Japanese market, with exclusive dark chrome front grille, dark chrome bumper grille, exclusive dark emblem (Rider/AUTECH), intelligent air conditioning system, exclusive sports muffler (by FUJITSUBO) and exclusive pumper finisher (from Note Rider Autech option), choice of 2 body colours (white pearl (3 coat pearl), super black (pearl)).
The vehicles went on sale on 19 October 2011.
Marketing As part of the 2008 Note launch in Japan, a series of television commercials based on The World of GOLDEN EGGS characters was produced. The corresponding web site opened on 21 December 2007, followed by the 1st television commercial premiere in January 2008, and the opening of a special Nissan Note web site with The World of GOLDEN EGGS characters.
As part of the 2009 Note market launch in Japan, a series of animated commercials were premiered on 20 May 2009. The commercial was inspired by the Heidi, Girl of the Alps animated series, featuring Junichi Koumoto and Tomochika (as Heidi). The series was produced by Studio Crocodile Inc.
2012 update (EU models only) UK models included: Acenta model includes new 'diamond cut' two-tone 16-inch alloy wheels, replacing the original 15-inch units. Colour-coded door mirror covers, chrome front fog light surrounds, new seat fabric with blue stitching, climate control, automatic headlights, and rain-sensitive wipers became standard equipment. The N-TEC model includes darkened rear privacy glass and the touch screen 'Connect' satellite navigation system. The N-TEC+ model includes rear parking sensors, choice of 1.4, 1.6 petrol and 1.5 dCi engines.
UK models went on sale in February 2012. Since beginning of 2012 and till the end of E11 production in 2013 at least in Russian marketed models/trims Nissan silently excluded seat belt pretensioners without any prior notes. Furthermore, seat belt pretensioners was listed in all the dealer offers and contracts while some people found no installed pretensioners on their places upon seat dismount. Later NM Russia acknowledged the lack of pretensioners in Nissan Note 2012–2013.
Production , Nissan has sold 940,000 units of the Note.
Note inspired by Adidas (2005) It is a version of the Nissan Note inspired by multi-sports brand Adidas, with user-changeable treatment on the front/rear bumpers; fabrics and rubber materials used on dashboard, door trim, etc.
The vehicle was unveiled at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show.
Autech Note Rider (2006) The vehicle was unveiled at the 2006 Tokyo Auto Salon.
Second generation (E12; 2012)
Invitation Concept Showcased in 2012 at the 82nd Geneva Motor Show, the Invitation Concept is a hatchback concept built on the V platform, designed to be sold alongside the Micra and Juke. It featured a swage line at the side body panel, independent front MacPherson struts with coil springs, torsion beam rear axle, Around View Monitor (AVM) safety technology, and the Nissan Safety Shield System.
Initial release The second generation Note was based on the Nissan Invitation concept.
The vehicle was unveiled at the Osanbashi venue in Yokohama, followed by the Nissan Gallery on 28 August 2012.
The European model was unveiled at the 83rd Geneva Motor Show.
The Latin American model was unveiled at the Port of Cartagena de Indias in Colombia.
It would replace the Livina for other countries' markets (except China and parts of Asia) in 2013.
Japanese models went on sale on 3 September 2012. Early Note models include a choice of HR12DE (S, X, X FOUR) and HR12DDR (S DIG-S, X DIG-S, MEDALIST) engines, and Xtronic CVT transmission. Early Note Rider models include a choice of HR12DE (X, X FOUR) and HR12DDR (X DIG-S) engines, and Xtronic CVT transmission. The width dimension is kept under 1700mm on all international models so that versions in Japan would be in compliance with Japanese Government dimension regulations with engine displacement kept under 2000cc.
Hong Kong models went on sale on 21 September 2012. Early models included DIG-S with HR12DDR engine, XTRONIC CVT transmission, and ISS idle mode.
The Note was launched in Singapore on 14 January 2013. It features a 1.2L DIG-S engine that delivers driving performance equivalent to a 1.5-litre engine.
Latin American models went on sale in July 2013. Early models included Sense (manual and CVT) and Advance (manual and CVT).
European models went on sale in summer 2013, with deliveries beginning in autumn 2013. Early models include a choice of 3 engines (1.2-litre 80PS petrol, 1.2-litre 98PS DIG-S petrol, 1.5-litre 90PS turbo diesel), manual or CVT transmission, and 3 trim levels (Visia, Acenta, and Tekna).
Nissan said the drag coefficient is 0.298. The frontal area is 2.13 m2, making the drag area CdA 0.639 m2.
Note Medalist The Medalist is an unmarked version of the Note for the Japanese market, with plated door handles, exclusive Beatnic Gold body colour, suede-like cloth seats and artificial leather, piano-like centre cluster finisher, and genuine leather-wrapped steering wheel. The highest grade "MEDALIST" is also a model that inherits the concept of Tidus and comes from the Laurel's grade of the same name.
Versa Note (2013–2019)
The Versa Note is a version of the Note for the US market, as a replacement of the outgoing Versa hatchback.
The vehicle was unveiled at the 2013 North American International Auto Show.