The production version of Datsun Go Cross concept is the first crossover from the budget car brand; could focus on first-time young buyers
Datsun has finally unveiled its first global crossover based on the Go Cross concept and it has made its world premiere in Jakarta, Indonesia today. It is expected to be launched in the Indian market this year or during the early parts of 2019. The Cross resembles its concept version in plenty of ways and has upmarket interior with central touchscreen, brand new dashboard and rectangular air cons.
The same interior upgrades are long due on the Go and Go+ and they will be introduced to them sometime this year probably. Showcased as a concept model at 2016 New Delhi Auto Expo after debuting the previous October at Nissan Global Headquarters in the Tokyo Motor Show arena, this crossover will likely challenge Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza – the best-selling SUV in India.
For that, the budget car brand is reportedly focusing to price the Cross very aggressively and it will come equipped with several upmarket features for India as well. Interestingly, Nissan-owned Datsun has followed the strategy of Renault for its new crossover.
The French automaker offered class-leading features like touchscreen infotainment system and completely digital display enabled instrument cluster in its muscular looking small hatchback, the Kwid. And since its launch, it has held the sales aspiration high for the French company in India. The Datsun Cross too will come with similar upmarket features but will be price conscious anyways.
Also read: Datsun GO Cross Debuts at the Delhi Auto Expo 2016
The Go Cross concept was the revived Japanese company’s second concept car revealed in a year and half since coming out of hibernation. Following the same lines of Go and Go+, it exhibited a rather fresh take for the brand attempting to enter into the highly-demanding crossover segment and the production model has no different styling with the front portion almost mimicking the concept. Datsun Cross is built on the V platform that is internally christened as V minus. It comes with a very muscular stance while having some of the design traits of the concept. It sports sharp headlamps with projector units and integrated LED daytime running lights. The front grille had a hexagon shape with plenty of chrome garnishing.
Front bumper too is chunky looking with black fog lamp housing, black cladding and a skid plate as well. At the side profile, it comprises of thick chunky black cladding, sporty alloy wheels, turn indicator integrated ORVMs, blackened glass area and sporty roof rail. Rear profile of the crossover gets wraparound tail lights with LED inserts and a muscular bumper. In short, the road-going Datsun Cross is a conventional take on the concept while maintaining its overall design stature.
Also read: Upcoming Cars in India in 2017, 2018 – 40+ Cars
The interior of the Datsun Cross could feature generous space offering comfortable experience to the occupants. Apart from that, it comes with features like 6.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on the top-spec models, automatic climate control, rear parking sensor, electrically adjustable ORVMs, power windows, upmarket quality seat and upholstery materials. Expect the crossover to be priced at around Rs. 6.50 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi) when it reaches India.
The Production Go Cross has entered the Indonesian market sooner than expected before spreading to other Asian markets including India. It sits on 15-inch wheels and has 200 mm ground clearance. Safety features include dual airbags, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control). Datsun might surprise us by revealing the crossover at the 2018 Auto Expo in February where the brand could evaluate its response among public before entering the market. The Datsun Cross accommodates as much as seven individuals.
Also Read: Datsun Redi-Go AMT India Launch Expected In Early 2018
The crossover can be expected to be powered by the same 1.2-litre engine used in the Go hatchback and Go+ MPV making 69 PS maximum power at 5,000 rpm and 104 Nm peak torque at 4,000 rpm in India as well. Besides the five-speed manual transmission being standard, Indonesia gets a CVT option.
The CVT option could be a far cry for India especially considering that the Go Cross is to be priced very competitively. If the existing powertrains are used, they are surely underpowered compared to the opponents. However, a bang-on-head pricing could open up a brand new segment just below the existing subcompact SUVs.
Datsun Go Cross Gallery
