The iconic design of the Nissan Verita was the most significant factor that made the nameplate popular from its first production until the year it was discontinued. It was one of the few models under the Japanese brand that was assembled at the Yulon Automotive plant in Taiwan. Rooting from the Nissan Micra lineage of vehicles, the Verita came with modified engineering and safety features that catered to the typical city driver. The retro-looking hatchback was marketed as the Bolero in other countries. Its vintage styling and classic British elegance made it sell 2,000 units in the Philippines as it rivaled other subcompact vehicles such as the earlier versions of the Toyota Echo, Chevrolet Aveo, and the Honda Jazz. Only one variant was sold in the Philippines which was powered by a 1.3-liter gasoline engine paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Its engine and suspension system was able to perform fairly to serve its purpose as a fuel-efficient city car decked in a lot of physical style and interior luxuries.
Launch
The Nissan Verita was first introduced globally in 1999. It arrived in the Philippine automotive market in July 2000 and was sold until December 2007.
Exterior
The Nissan Verita was designed with its iconic retro look with boxy lines, resembling classic British vehicles from the 1960s. It came with a protruding grille flanked with large round headlamps. Elevating the aesthetic was a plethora of chrome accents on the door handles, bumper, windshield wipers, and grille. It was updated with crystal headlights, LED rear lights, and side mirror indicators. The hatchback came with 13-inch steel wheels.
Interior
An equally elegant cabin greets passengers of the Nissan Verita which is a rarity in its class. For a hatchback, it had spacious legroom and elbowroom that was able to accommodate four passengers comfortably. The dashboard and steering wheel were decked in wood and metal trims that added to the interior’s luxurious feel. It balanced contemporary elements while staying true to its vintage design philosophy through the digital instrument cluster side by side with an analog clock. Seats are wrapped in leather upholstery, completing the sophisticated and sleek cabin styling.
Technology & Safety Features
The Nissan Verita was equipped with a basic entertainment package comprised of an AM/FM radio and a 12-disc player. Audio came out of a 6-speaker sound system. Additional tech features included were power steering, windows, door locks, and mirrors.
In terms of safety, the Japanese hatchback came with anti-theft alarm and keyless entry with immobilizer.
Platform & Chassis
The 5-door hatchback was based on the platform used on another nameplate, the Nissan Micra. It runs on an independent McPherson strut suspension in front and an independent torsion beam at the rear. Stopping power comes from front ventilated discs and rear drum brakes.
Engine & Drivetrain
The Nissan Verita was powered by a CG13DE 1.3-liter gasoline engine that produced a maximum of 75 hp and 99 Nm of torque. It was mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission that sent power exclusively to the front wheels. The engine specifications provided adequate acceleration for day to day city driving.