GO... GO... GO... DATSUN GO

GO... GO... GO... DATSUN GO

Datsun is not a new name. They were Japanese Car Manufactures since 1914. Datsun is a company having decades of experience not only in car manufacturing but also trucks and other heavy vehicles. Since Datsun was the truck manufacturers of the Imperial Japanese Army, the belief on Datsun can be considered as strong as bullet-proof. 

In the later years, Datsun was considered as an exporting brand of Nissan. Since 1958 Datsun has shined in the American global market.

In the late 70s, while strengthening the native brand Nissan leads to decline of the name Datsun. Until 2013. Last year July 15, Datsun was reborn, as a brand of Nissan, providing all the features provided in Nissan with a bit lesser price.

India is one of the countries which is getting the advantage of Datsun after its rebirth after 3 decades. The Datsun Go is not less featured than Nissan Micra in any aspect except the price.

The Datsun Go shares the same V platform of the Nissan Micra. A sedan and a 7-seater is also coming from the Datsun in the same platform. Due to sharing of various components with Nissan, the Datsun Go is also manufacturing from the Nissan Renault plant in Chennai. Sales and services are also done through Nissan Showrooms. So, Datsun is practically a brand of Nissan.

Exterior : The Datsun Go is a good looking car. The D-cut grill mentioned by Nissan is the highlight of Go. The similarly priced Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 and Hyundai Eon doesn't have any similarity in sizes as compared to the Go. The Datsun Go is having dimensions competing higher segment cars such as Ford Figo etc. Datsun Go has a length of 3785mm and bootspace of 265 liters which make it a big car as compared to others in the segment.

Large headlamps not at all gives good visibility but also gives trendy looks. Even the follow me feature is included in this small package. While getting out of the car if we just press the headlight flasher, then the light will flash for 30 seconds. 13" wheels are used that make the Go look grossly under-tyred in those huge wheel arches. The diamond shaped grille, the angular,peeled-back headlamps and the character lines along the side of the car that runs into the tail section ensures that the designers have tried hard to keep it from looking too basic.

Interior : Even-though Datsun has done certain limitations to reduce the cost but doesn't done any compromise in the quality of material or features making Go much better than some higher Japanese opponents. Even-though the multi display in the speedometer gives a basic look it gives all the details includes rpm etc. Gear lever is placed in the central console. Resembling the Ambassador and old Fiat, bench seats are placed in Go.

Three persons can be seated in front but the company says its illegal. Park brakes are also installed in the dash. Both the windows in front are power windows but the controllers are present in the driver side only. Large amount of storage space is present and most of the spaces are kept opened. In place of stereo system, mobile docking is installed in dash and we can play music files from a smart phone. A mobile holder is also included.

Drive :  There is no compromise in the driving comfort. Good quality seats. Lots of space. Under the hood is a 1.2 litre three-cylinder petrol motor that's similar to the one in the Nissan Micra Active. It makes slightly less power than in the Nissan, but then again, the Datsun Go isn't that heavy. It's the car's kerb weight which makes the car such a peppy performer. Diesel variant is not present. Gearbox is designed to tune to Indian style drive. Go takes 15 seconds to reach from 0-100kmph. Go gives a good mileage of 20.7kmpl. Definitely we can say that, Datsun Go is a good car.