Datsun Go rolls out at Rs 3.12 lakh, guns for Alto and Eon

Eight months after it had the global reveal of the Go in New Delhi, Datsun has announced its pricing strategy for its Go hatchback. A starting price of Rs 3.12 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) puts this Nissan Micra-sized hatchback bang inside Maruti Alto and Hyundai Eon territory. The Go is available in three variants – D, A and T – and in four colours. The Go will also get a fourth variant called D1, priced Rs 2,000 higher than the base D variant.

The base D trim (Rs 3.12 lakh), is available in two versions, D and D1. While the D1 variant gets a left wing mirror, bottle-holders and map pockets in the front doors, the D doesn't.  All trim levels get follow-me-home headlamps, a digital trip computer, gearshift guide, engine immobiliser and a speed-sensitive wiper. Power steering, front power windows and central locking, however, are only available on the top T trim.

Since it's a budget hatchback targeted primarily at first-time car buyers, the base D trim comes with the bare essentials – black bumpers instead of body coloured ones, manual wind-down windows, and no power steering, air-conditioning or music system.  

The middle A trim (Rs 3.42 lakh), gets AC and a two-speaker audio system with only aux-in compatibility (no radio), a mobile phone stand, a USB port for charging only and Jacquard seat upholstery. 

The top-end Go T (Rs 3.69 lakh), has all the features of the middle A variant and additionally gets front power windows, electric power steering, body-coloured bumpers, central locking and wheel covers.

The Go is powered by a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and Datsun is claiming an ARAI-rated fuel efficiency figure of 20.63kpl. Nissan hopes that Datsun cars will account for at least one-third or as much as half of its total India sales.

Customers can book the Go from any of Nissan's 125 dealerships and the company will also take care of servicing Datsun cars from its workshops. The Go comes with complimentary road-side assistance and a 2-year unlimited kilometre warranty.  

Speaking at the launch (which was shown live on www.autocar pro.in ), Kenichiro Yomura, president – Nissan India Operations, said, “We are very excited to be part of history in India with the introduction of our very first model – the Datsun Go. Together, we have embarked on a long journey in one of the most complex, demanding and promising markets in the world. We are confident that the aspirational ‘Risers’ in India will identify with our product and brand.”

New Datsun models will be introduced in Indonesia, Russia and South Africa later this year.

For the record books, the Go’s launch comes exactly a hundred years after the first ever DAT car was launched in Japan. Jaspal Singh, who received the keys to a Go at the launch, became the first Datsun India and Go customer.

Photographs (L-R- Top): Tomonori Muto, GM, Marketing Product Planning, Datsun Business Unit, Ashwani Gupta, Programme Director, Datsun Business Unit, Kenichiro Yomura, President – Nissan India Operations and Ajay Raghuvanshi, VP - Business Management, Nissan Motor India at the launch of the Datsun Go in New Delhi.

(Above) : Kenichiro Yomura, president – Nissan India Operations along with Ajay Raghuvanshi, VP - Business Management, Nissan Motor India handing over the key to the first customer of the Datsun Go in India - Jaspal Singh and family.

See interview with Vincent Cobee, global head, Datsun bit.ly/1doi1wi