Nissan Note Aura G Leather Edition (FF) [Test drive] Small luxury car again

Was there a role model in the 1980s?

A 3-number size premium compact with a wider body based on the Nissan Note. You can think of the Nissan Note Aura as a derivative model of the Note. What is confusing is that when you look at the catalog, it is written as "Nissan Aura". It's like another model with a different name. There is no difference in the main components, so there is no doubt that it is a sister car, but Nissan probably wants to emphasize that it is a high-end model with a different character. The rear badge has a large "AURA" logo with the word "NOTE" discreetly added.

To put it simply, the concept would be a "small luxury car". Nissan once sold a model with a similar concept in the 1980s. "Laurel Spirit". Based on the small popular car "Sunny", it has a high-quality interior and exterior, and has the atmosphere of a luxury sedan "Laurel". Other manufacturers have not lost. There are examples such as "Mazda Verisa" and "Honda Domani".

The era of being allowed to look cheap just because it's a compact car is over. Since light cars are raising the quality, competitiveness will be lost if obvious cost reduction is noticed. That's why even a plain notebook isn't cheaply made. Aura has to add a special feeling to it, so it's not good to simply use chrome parts and lots of genuine leather. Auras require a different worldview than notebooks.

It's hard to tell the difference immediately by looking at the exterior. It feels somewhat wide, but the aura is 1735mm compared to the 1695mm notebook, which is a 40mm difference. If you look closely, you can see that the front wheel arch has a protruding shape. Along with responding to the expansion of tire size, it also gives a sporty impression.