PARIS MOTOR SHOW 2002. When the current Nissan Micra was launched a decade ago, it won major awards for its cheeky retro style as much as for its engineering excellence. It looked different to anything else in the segment.

That they have built and sold 1.3 million copies in Europe since then is testament to a robustness of the original concept. It was always going to be a hard act to beat for the brand.

Well, the new Micra we saw at Paris has the same cheeky attitude in a 21st century incarnation. OK, we've seen it coming, in concepts form at earlier motor shows and in its prior Japanese launch.

But it really looked a neat sweet machine, and has some intriguing features which are no less good for having been introduced in a number of other cars over recent years.

Even the round shape is reminiscent of the Mazda 121 before that car became a rebadged Ford Fiesta. And the sliding rear seats first showed as an idea in that same car's predecessor, the boxy version.

But in the handy nooks and crannies department, the Micra's stowage box under the front passenger seat, accessed by lifting the seat itself, is really neat. As is the special drawer to store a mobile phone out of sight.

And the styling is absolutely current Nissan, with the 'droop-snoot' front end premiered last year in the new Primera and now continued in the uprated Almera and completed in the Micra.

The switch controls are gathered in a less extreme example of the 'bridge' system in the Primera, but at first glance seem to be ergonomically sound (it does take a while driving any car to suss out the problems, so we'll wait until then to see if appearance agrees with reality).

The engine range of 65-88PS petrol and 65-82PS diesel is also a major improvement for a model which has had only a 1-litre in Ireland for most of its life (which is not to say we'll get all engine versions here when it comes, but we can hope for the diesels).

The new Micra has a number of so-called 'smart' features, made available by the quantum leaps in electronics technology since the current Micra was launched. These include an 'intelligent key' which can allow the owner to gain entry to the car just by carrying it in a pocket.

And other ideas which are filtering down from more expensive cars are automatic wipers, 'walk you home' lights which also feature an automatic turn-off of any lights that are left on inadvertently, after a period of time, and ABS with EBD and brake assist as standard. The next Micra also has 'drive by wire' throttle control.

Four-speed electronic automatic transmission is available on both the 1.2- and 1.4-litre petrol engines. We're told that a combined fuel consumption of around 49mpg is possible.

Nissan says it is targeting the new car at a different type of customer to that which the older car has attracted. Now it wants a 'demanding, confident, free-thinking individual who doesn't follow the herd'.

Even in an era where the nicheness of cars has exploded, particularly in this segment, the new Micra is likely to stand out. In the nicest possible way.