Upcoming Datsun cars in India in 2021
Even though Datsun hasn’t enjoyed – or perhaps tasted – much success in the Indian market, things are about to turn into its favour in the upcoming financial year. For those of you who may not know, the Datsun brand is a subsidy of the parent brand Nissan, which, itself, has now been known as a niche brand in the country.
However, things have started to work in the favour of the parent brand Nissan since it has launched the sub-4m compact SUV Magnite in the Indian market at a very attractive price undercutting each and every one of its rivals comprising the likes of the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Toyota Urban Cruiser, Mahindra XUV300, Tata Nexon, and more to come. This is currently the hottest space in the Indian market and Nissan has placed its bet in this particular segment with the launch of the Magnite last month.
However, some of you may not know that the Magnite was supposed to be initially a product that would sit in the Datsun range instead of Nissan. However, Nissan had to make this last-minute change given the circumstances of the brand, which is why the Magnite currently features a Datsun grille at the front.
Given that Nissan now sells the Magnite under its own name, there’s very little going on with the Datsun brand, which only consists of the entry-level hatchback redi-GO, the mid-sized hatchback Go, and the affordable seven-seater Go Plus. To gain some supremacy in the Indian market, the Datsun brand is speculated to introduce two new models in the financial year 2021 to be recognized as a trusty carmaker in the Indian market. So, here are both the Datsun models that might join the brand’s current product line-up in the Indian market. How To Choose The Right Car Insurance
1. Datsun on-DO
Now the name on-DO might raise a few eyebrows, but this is something that might change as the car makes it to the Indian market. The car itself, however, is quite compelling, to be frank. How do we know? Well, the on-DO is currently on sale in the Russian market and is quite a package as well. However, the India-spec model is going to have to be a lot more different and compelling to make a dent in the fierce sub-4m compact sedan space, which is where the on-DO will be positioned if it makes the cut to the Indian market.
In the looks department, the on-DO carries forward a boxy design, which honestly looks like Datsun has slapped a boot on the back of a well-designed hatchback. There’s the signature Datsun grille dominating the front flanked by halogen headlamps and fog lamps, although the India-spec model might receive all-LED lighting. We expect the on-DO to be powered by the same set of engines as the Magnite – a 1.0-litre three-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol and a 1.0-litre turbo petrol unit. We also expect Datsun to better the overall interior equipment with the India-spec model.
2. Datsun Cross
Unlike the on-DO, the Cross is a premium sub-4m compact SUV that will give the brand the edge it needs in the Indian market. It is also the only premium model to come out of the Datsun factory, so the expectations are quite high with the Cross. Moreover, like the Magnite, consider this to be the make-or-break model for Datsun cars. And it is highly likely that it will share its underpinnings with the Magnite and also the powertrains – a 1.0-litre three-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol and a 1.0-litre turbo petrol unit.
In terms of the way it looks, the Cross is unlike anything we’ve seen from the brand in the past. Hence, it features far more upmarket, styling, trim and equipment compared to anything else seen on Datsun models ever since the brand made a comeback in June of 2013. While the exterior is all good, the interior of the Cross seems a bit too dated as it looks much like what we’ve seen with the brand’s Go hatchback. But we do expect Datsun to heavily revise the interiors and the equipment list before the car makes its way to the Indian market. After all, cars like the Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue have set new benchmarks in this segment when it comes to the equipment and Datsun has to keep this in mind while updating the Cross. Also, grab the latest info on the upcoming cars in India, only at autoX.
