atsun’s resurgence is well underway with the introduction of their new Datsun Go. It is aimed at the entry-level market and the Datsun Go is expected to reach South African shores late in 2014. Its introduction is part of the Datsun/Nissan desire to get their vehicles into developing markets.
What do I think of the Dat Go? I think it is going to be competetive in the entry level market. It has a modern design that is aesthetically pleasing. It has a bit of a Kia Picanto look to it, but at the entry level starting blocks, this means very little.
The Datsun Go is touted as reliable, accessible and modern, which if we look at the Nissan stable, this is very possible. Though Nissan went through a period of very boring styling, their reliability has never been in doubt. I have not managed to get a definitive answer on the pricing related to the Dat Go, but rumours abound that it will start out below the R100 000 mark.
The Datsun Go will be built on Indian vehicle platforms. This compact hatch, which appears to be Micra-sized, should go down well in the entry level market. Its wheelbase dimension is 2450mm, its width 1635mm and length 3785mm. The Datsun Go is an adventerous vehicle with great design elements and features. Cost-saving measures were utilised, such as the lack of a glove compartment and the one-piece seat design, but this vehicle still remains as a great entry level choice. Other features of this vehicle include the option of a cell phone docking station for smart phones and a variety of other features that improve driving pleasure.
The Datsun Go is powered by a 1.2 litre engine and has a 5-speed gearbox. Engine performance figures are not available at the moment. The name Datsun Go was inspired by the first vehicle built by Datsun which was called the Dat-Go. The re-emergence of the Datsun brand, running alongside the Nissan and Infiniti brands, is set to take the entry level market by storm.
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