News Source: topspeed.com

Nissan  launched the Note  mini MPV back in 2004 and redesigned it in 2012. The second-gen car arrived in the U.S. for the 2014 model year — as a replacement for the Nissan Versa  hatchback — with a 109-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-banger under the hood. In Europe, on the other hand, the Note received a drivetrain lineup that included two 1.2-liter gasoline units and a 1.5-liter diesel. Setting the Euro-spec model further apart is the number of special-edition models it spawned, the most recent of which is the UK-exclusive N-TEC.

Much like most limited-edition Japanese cars available in Britain, the N-TEC package essentially takes a well-equipped trim and adds a host of otherwise optional features as standard, alongside a couple of unique amenities. The end result is a new trim that comes with range-topping features and a relatively affordable sticker. Keep reading to find out what the Note N-TEC is all about.

Based on the well-equipped Acenta Premium trim, which comes with standard 16-inch wheels, a roof spoiler, sportier front and rear aprons, body-colored door handles and mirrors, and privacy glass, the N-TEC upgrade adds even more goodies to the Note’s exterior. The body-colored doors handles and mirror caps are replaced by Satin Silver-painted pieces, while the 16-inch rollers feature an exclusive design and "N-TEC" badges. Further enhancing the Note’s appearance is a gloss black front grille and black bezels for the headlamps.

Granted, the Note isn’t the type of vehicle I’d call sporty, but this new trim level makes it look faster than it really is. Sure, I’d rather have a sleeper than a fast-looking but mild vehicle, but the N-TEC is definitely an appealing alternative to drivers looking to stand out while driving a mini MPV.

Although the N-TEC is labeled as a limited-edition trim, Nissan will allow customers to order it in the full Note color palette, including the new Ink Blue option. That’s good news considering some other limited-edition cars are restricted to only one exterior color — the Hyundai  Veloster Rally Edition comes to mind — but, as a special model, it should’ve received at least one exclusive paint color. Just my two cents.

On the inside, the N-TEC comes with a unique, leather-wrapped steering wheel with blue stitching, and a pair of two-tone, blue-and-black, premium front seats. It might not sound like much, but these features join what’s already included as standard on the Acenta Premium trim.

The N-TEC package also includes Nissan’s Safety Shield tech with Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Moving Object detection, as well as the latest-generation NissanConnect system, which adds a DAB digital radio, TripAdvisor and Google Search, among other apps.

The Advanced Rear View Camera and the automatic lights comes standard as part of the package included with the Acenta Premium trim the N-TEC is based on, but the keyless entry and the start button can only be had at extra cost. All told, the N-TEC sports a comprehensive package on the inside, one that takes it pretty close to the range-topping Tekna trim.

While the British-spec Note is usually available with both the 1.2-liter gasoline and the 1.5-liter diesel engines, the N-TEC is restricted to the more powerful 1.2 DIG-S unit. The four-banger cranks out 97 horsepower and 108 pound-feet of torque and uses a five-speed manual to send it to the pavement. Granted, it’s not as powerful as the U.S.-spec model, which benefits from a 109-pony, 1.6-liter four-pot, but it’s the peppiest version you can buy in the UK. For reference, the base 1.2-liter generates 79 horsepower, while the 1.5-liter diesel churns out 89.

As you might have already guessed, the Note N-TEC is quite slow, taking 11.7 seconds to hit 60 mph from a standing start. Yeah, it’s nearly four times slower than the GT-R, but it’s not a lot slower than a Toyota Yaris or a Honda Fit (Jazz). The Note N-TEC retails from £15,365 ($23,735 as of 02/19/2014), only £900 ($1,390) more than the Acenta Premium model, which makes it quite the bargain with the added features. Compared to the range-topping Tekna Style model, the N-TEC retails for £1,605 ($2,480) less.