Whilst expansion plans are put in place to venture into unexplored territories in Africa and other countries, Nissan’s budget brand, Datsun, said earlier that it was adamant to uphold its core values “Dream, Access and Trust” wherever it steps foot in. In just over a year, the Japanese brand’s entry-level GO hatchback has been doing steady sales number by averaging 700 units monthly. The hatchback-based GO+ MPV has been retailed at nearly 900 units in average since launched in January 2015.
These sales figures are encouraging signs for the company that is having only two products in the market currently. After three decades of absence, Datsun’s return was announced in 2012 and its first Indian car was the GO hatchback which was rolled off the production lines in March 2014.
More than 100,000 units were sold globally ever since the resurrection as the company focuses on main markets like India, Indonesia, Russia and South Africa by expanding sales and service networks. But in order to sustain in the highly competitive Indian market, Datsun has to be quick learners and apparently it is so as the third product has been officially revealed earlier this year.
The car will be manufactured at the Renault-Nissan alliance’s facility in Oragadam, Tamil Nadu. Following the footsteps of Datsun GO and GO+ family, Datsun revealed the Redi GO concept at the Auto Expo 2014 and the official global launch of its conservative production version would be done in just the next three days.
Whilst eyeing more sales in the export volume market of South Africa, the Redi GO will be manufactured at the parental company’s base in Oragadam Chennai and will be aggressively slotted in the entry-level first-time buyers’ segment against key players like Alto 800 and Eon. Here’s everything we so far know about the Datsun Redi GO:
Datsun RediGO India Launch
The production version of the Datsun Redi GO has made its Global debut last month in India. The Indian market launch has happened today in front of the media and bookings have already started since April 29th. Said to be the urban-cross hatch, Datsun revealed an exclusive app for android users where you can find all the information about the car.
Datsun RediGO Price
The pricing of the Redi GO is expected to undercut its bigger cousin and the successfully running Renault Kwid it’s based on. It certainly has as Rs. 2.39 lakh is quoted for the base variant and 3.34 lakh for the top-end model.
Variants Ex-showroom Delhi price
D Rs. 2,38,900
A Rs. 2,82,649
T Rs. 3,09,149
T(O) Rs. 3,19,399
S Rs. 3,34,399
Datsun RediGO Engine, Performance and Mileage
Rumours surfaced on the internet earlier that the Redi GO small car will have the 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol unit producing 67 bhp and 104 Nm of torque (also powering the GO, GO+ and the Nissan Micra currently). But its availability is highly unlikely as the well-established 799 cc inline three-pod four-valve DOHC that does duty under the bonnet of Renault Kwid will be the sole propeller. It develops 53 bhp of maximum power at 5678 rpm and 72 Nm of peak torque at 4386 rpm. The engine will be coupled with a five-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels.
The petrol motor in Kwid already squeezes out the market leading 25.17 kmpl and it will return the similar mileage figure in the Redi GO as well to better both Alto 800 and Eon. Renault introduced the more powerful 1.0-litre petrol for the Kwid at the Auto Expo 2016 and it could feature in the Redi GO at a later part of its life span with a possible five-speed AMT (Automated Manual Transmission).
Datsun Redi GO Dimensions
Since the small hatchback will be positioned below the GO hatchback and the GO+ MPV, it will have dimensional proportions more or less identical to the Kwid. A ground clearance of around 180 mm, wheelbase in the region of 2,400 mm with the entire length of the car below 3,770 mm are expected. It is more likely to be less than 1,600 mm wide and 1,500 mm tall with a kerb weight of around 0.7 tonne.
Datsun RediGO Exterior
The Datsun RediGO will look significantly differently from the Renault Kwid, although it sits on the same Renault-Nissan alliance’s CMF-A global architecture developed in India. The design of the production-ready Redi GO will be heavily influenced by the concept version showcased at the 2014 edition of the Indian motoring exhibition.
Thus far from the test mules spotted running across the country, we can say that the small hatchback will feature a curvier profile at the rear with a small spoiler and prominent bumpers up front and the back. The car’s fluent lines do give an unbalancing appearance much like the Hyundai Eon as the tyres are very skinny.
Up front, the Redi GO comes fitted with signature hexagonal honeycomb grille with likely chrome surrounds as seen on the concept in the range-topping variants. It features sweptback headlamps with standard halogen units, sculpted bonnet, narrow air dam and skid plate to give a bolder stance.
The side profile has flared wheel arches and at the top the roofline will be slopped to bring a forward leaning posture. Datsun could eye significant sales in the left-hand drive markets with the Redi GO hatchback as well. No fog lamps are seen at the unveil and since it’s based on the Kwid, heavy customisation options will be provided.
Datsun RediGO Interior and Features
To keep the costs down, Datsun, the low-cost brand of Nissan, might not adapt features like the touchscreen infotainment system and the digital instrument cluster as in the Renault Kwid but part sharing with its French counterpart can be clearly visualised to heavily localise the small hatchback.
It will come with drive airbag as optional fitment from the base model and will feature similar multi-spoke steering wheel, gear knob and seat fabric as the GO hatchback.
Datsun RediGO Rivals
The Redi GO will compete against the fierce rivals in the entry-level small hatchback mass segment such as Maruti Alto 800, Renault Kwid, Hyundai Eon and Tata Nano.
Datsun Redi GO Image Gallery
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & on Youtube