NISSAN is banking on Cupid's arrow hitting the target - and wooing a new wave of buyers for its British-built Micra.
The latest generation of a supermini that's been doing the rounds for two decades is light years ahead of the model it has replaced.
That reliable old stalwart was the epitome of a car for people who don't care about cars - an utterly functional and reliable but nondescript little offering so favoured by the more 'senior' members of our society.
Keen to expand its appeal across the age range, Nissan turned to Cupid for inspiration.
Not the Roman god of love, I should stress, but something that prosaically stands for Customer Understanding for Process In Design.
Sounds typically corporate doesn't it? In plain English it means they studied how owners used their cars.
And that meant the likes of spending six months staking out supermarket and airport car parks, buying in a variety of pushchairs and buggies and trying out a variety of cup and bottle containers.
The result is the new Nissan Micra, and it's a revelation.
Funky, futuristic and of course still very functional, it not only has the visual appeal but an overload of slick technology aimed at making the driving experience more enjoyable.
In what could almost be described as a bubble blowing exercise the length of the Micra has been shortened - even though the wheelbase is actually longer than before - and the height raised.
Upshot of that is a wonderful feeling of space for those in the front. A sliding rear bench allows owners to expand boot space, though there's not much legroom for those in the back regardless of where you set the seats.
Interior styling is simple yet effective with retro instruments, a clutter-free centre console and fabric-look soft plastic surround.
There's also bags of storage space in the shape of large door pockets, a secret drawer for a mobile phone, five cup holders and a tray under the passenger seat large enough to hold a pair of shoes.
But it's the use of 'friendly' technology that Nissan hopes will endear the Micra to more buyers.
Trump card is the Intelligent Key which, providing it's in your pocket or bag, will allow the door to be opened just by pushing a button on the handle. It's certainly handy if you arrive at the car loaded with luggage.
You don't even need to produce the key inside the car, because once its identity has been confirmed the engine can be started by turning a switch.
Other neat touches are headlights that stay on for two minutes after you leave the car and a Battery Save feature that automatically switches off an interior light if left on.
Three petrol engines and a pair of diesels power the new Micra, and the test car's 79bhp 1.2 litre petrol unit is both nippy and refined. It feels quicker than it actually is and if the performance figures won't set the world on fire then the fuel consumption figures - an average 47mpg - offer some compensation.
Even the most basic Micras offer electric power steering, front electric windows, ABS, remote central locking, CD player, dual airbags and ISOFIX child seat mounting points. SE spec adds the likes of Intelligent Key, drive computer, side airbags, air-con and automatic rain-sensing wipers.
FAST FACTS
Nissan Micra 1.2 SE 5-door
Price: £9,495 on the road
Mechanical: 79bhp, 1,240cc 4-cylinder in-line engine driving front wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 104mph
0-62mph: 14.3secs
Combined mpg: 47.9
Insurance group: 2
CO2 emissions: 143g/km
BiK rating: 15%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 12yrs anti-rust