Nissan Kicks premium SUV will go on sale in January 2019 and has bigger dimensions than the global-spec version
Nissan Motor India Pvt Ltd unveiled the exterior of upcoming Kicks SUV to the media in October and it will go on sale in January 2019 to clash with the promising contender in Tata Harrier and the segment-leading Hyundai Creta. Leading up to the launch activities, the Japanese manufacturer has released a teaser video boasting its features.
The production of the five-seater premium SUV has begun at the brand’s facility in Tamil Nadu and it will have bigger dimensions than the global-spec model. Although being based on the B0 platform that also underpins Terrano, Nissan engineers have concentrated on liberating more space inside the cabin. It measures 4,384 mm long, 1,813 mm wide and stands 1,656 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,673 mm.
In the next three years, Nissan is planning to double its network and expand into tier 3 and 4 cities. The Kicks SUV is expected to play an integral role in the company’s growth in the coming years and it is 89 mm longer than the global version while being taller as well to provide a roomy cabin. It will also have more than 432 litres of bootspace and ground clearance of nearly 200 mm.
On the outside, the Kicks will comprise of 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, electrically retractable wing mirrors with integrated turn signals, LED projector headlamps with Daytime Running Lights and high ground clearance as the teaser video indicates. As we revealed earlier, the Kicks will come equipped with first-in-segment 360-degree around view camera with object detection.
Despite the specific attention to spacious interior for domestic customers, Nissan will use the ubiquitous 1.5-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines that can already be found in the existing portfolio. The petrol motor develops 106 PS and 142 Nm while the diesel unit produces 110 PS and 240 Nm. Both manual and automatic transmission choices will be on offer.
The exterior largely resembles the global-spec Kicks with the presence of signature V-motion front grille, wide air intake, busy bumper, horizontal LED tail lamps, shark fin antenna, floating roofline, muscular wheel arches and so on. Some of the key features expected are eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, colour MID, semi-digital instrument cluster, auto AC, ESP, Creep Control and HSA.