Datsun GO Cross
The Datsun GO-Cross heralded its arrival
at the Indian scenes by getting launched at the Auto Expo 2016. The GO-cross
concept was revealed last year at Nissan Global Headquarters in the Tokyo Motor
Show arena and previewed a potential crossover for our domestic market. It was
the revived Japanese company’s second concept car revealed in a year and half.
Following the footprint of Datsun GO hatchback and GO+ MPV, the concept
exhibited a rather fresh take for the brand attempting to enter into the
highly-demanding crossover segment that is being exploited to full-effect by
some of the biggest car manufacturer’s in the auto industry.
The Datsun GO-Cross features a quirky front
fascia with a large characteristic hexagonal grille with thick chrome bezel,
silver lower body cladding, aggressive front and rear bumpers and curved LED
headlamps. In addition to the nifty headlights and LED foglamps, the
tall-riding crossover comprises of chrome wheels and roof rails ensuring a
muscular outer structure. It could be offered in both five and seven seater
configurations and will rival against the recently launched Mahindra KUV100. It
will be built on Renault-Nissan Alliance’s flexible CMF-A architecture and is
expected to be launched in the second half of 2016.
The Datsun GO-Cross is more likely to be
offered with a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, 12 Valve, DOHC diesel powertrain that
also propels the GO+ MPV. This motor is capable of producing a maximum power of
64.1 bhp at 5,000 rpm and 140 Nm of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. Transmitting power
to the wheels could be a five-speed manual gearbox and the possibility of an
automatic version can’t be ruled out of the equation. The evocaticve Datsun
brand’s revival was announced back in 2012 and its first Indian product was the
GO hatchback rolled out of production lines in March 2014 before the GO+ MPV
joined the lineage the following year. The Redi GO and GO Cross SUV will play
significant role in establishing a tighter bond with the Indian customers when
launched.