BackDatsun on the Go
Back after 30 years, the Japanese car maker unveils an entry-level car that doesn't look low-cost
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After nearly three decades, the Datsun brand is making a comeback across global markets and recently revealed its first car—the Go—here in India. With this budget brand, Nissan is aiming to target a burgeoning Indian middle class’ car-buying aspirations. The company is hoping the brand will help it achieve the goal of capturing 10% of the Indian market by 2016, up from its current share of 1.5%.
The Go will go on sale in early 2014. The talking point is the price, which will be a fair bit cheaper than the recently launched Micra Active, priced at ₹ 3.5 lakh. According to company sources, base versions of the Go could be priced just over ₹ 3 lakh, which will undercut established models like the i10 and Wagon R.
Although it’s potentially more affordable than most cars in this class, there is no compromise when it comes to space. Built on the same 2450mm wheelbase as the Micra, the Go has the proportions of a premium hatch and looks the part as well.
The Go’s styling is clearly targeted at a younger audience, with its sharp creases, strong character lines and interesting details. It certainly doesn’t look like a low-cost offering.
There are a few grouses with the design though. The 155/70 R13 tyres look odd under the massive wheel arches while bits like the flap-type door handles, basic mirrors with no internal adjustment and a single wiper look cheap and indicate where costs have been cut.
On the inside, the Go has been, more than anything else, packaged rather well. The glass area is large for a car of this size and this really enhances the feeling of space. The Go’s dashboard is done tastefully in a two-tone theme with silver buttons that look quite smart, and there’s even a mobile docking station for smartphones. The instrument cluster is simple but all-new, as is the steering wheel. There are two big shelves under the dashboard which are extremely useful and the front-door pockets get huge bottle-holders too. However, there is no glovebox and that could be an issue with Indian customers who deem this an extremely important feature in any car.
One clever move by Datsun is that it has moved the gear lever on to the dash and shifted the handbrake as well, freeing up space between the two front seats. This space is bridged by a cushion and a small backrest, and while the company will be registering the car as a five-seater, going by the fact that we’re used to seeing up to four people on a bike, there is a possibility that this will be used by Indian buyers to squeeze in a third person up front.
The handbrake is a bit of an issue. It has a twist-pull operation as in the old Qualis and may take some getting used to, especially for first-time drivers.
There are some Nissan bits visible on the inside—the door handles are clearly from the Micra, and so are the air-con vents. Move to the second row and you discover that this is pretty spacious as well, enough to seat three abreast. Further back, the boot, with the raked tailgate and overhang, offers a rather long floor. This allows for suitcases to be placed flat instead of vertically and opens up more space here. There is no parcel shelf though.
Under the skin, the Go has a chassis that is an amalgamation of various Nissan models and sources say it’s around 100kg lighter than the Micra. Also, its suspension has been designed with high ground clearance and bad roads in mind.
Nissan has confirmed that the Go will have what is essentially the Micra’s three-cylinder, 1.2-litre petrol engine, with slightly reduced power to boost fuel economy. Datsun says it has focused on making the Go an easy-to-drive, fuel-efficient and affordable-to-maintain car.
Datsun models will be customized for different markets, and the Go is the first of several Datsun models that will be launched later in 2014 in Indonesia, Russia and South Africa.
India will be a challenging market for Datsun, with Maruti firmly established as the market leader and Hyundai an aggressive competitor. Also, Nissan has no diesel engine on offer, a disadvantage in our diesel-obsessed market. But Datsun and parent company Nissan are hoping the brilliantly conceived Go, with its clever features, will take the fight to the competition. And after a good first look at the Go, we believe it’s time for rivals to sit up and take notice.
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