NISSAN'S whizzy, new Micra 160SR will have a rival bashing price now it's taken to our High Streets. At £9,995 it will undercut the Mini One, Ford Fiesta Zetec-S and the Citroen C2 VTR. The Micra will also be around in fewer numbers as Nissan is limiting supply of its 'Street Racer' Micra to 1,600 units this year - an appropriate number given its 160SR label and 1.6-litre motor.

The 110PS Micra not only leaves the Mini One standing on price but also on performance. With an extra 20 horses under the bonnet and a 0-62mph time of just 9.8 seconds, the 160SR is over a second quicker than the Mini. Even with its extra power, the Micra 160SR is more economical returning 42.8mpg on the combined cycle compared to the Mini's 41.5mpg.

In addition to the new 1.6-litre engine, the Micra 160SR gets stiffer and lower suspension, dynamic ESP, a deep front spoiler with integrated projector fog lamps, body coloured roof and side spoilers, dark tinted headlamps and graphite finished 16-inch alloys. Side curtain airbags are another addition over the standard Micra. Inside,