The Datsun Redi-GO is a small hatchback and shares its underpinnings with the GO hatchback, while power will come from an all-new 800cc 3-cylinder petrol engine.

Datsun redi-GO Auto Expo India
The Redi-GO will be positioned below the GO hatchback in Datsun’s lineup

Recent reports on the internet suggest that Nissan India will be launching the Datsun Redi-GO hatchback in the country by May, 2015. Unveiled at the Auto Expo earlier this year as a concept, the new Redi-GO is essentially a crossover styled hatchback with raised ground clearance and will be positioned below the GO entry-level hatchback in the automaker’s lineup. Sharing its underpinnings with the GO, the 2015 Redi-GO is being developed at the Renault-Nissan Technology Business Centre in India and is the third offering under the Datsun brand after the GO and GO+ models.

While power figures are unavailable at present, the new Datsun Redi-GO will use an all-new 800cc 3-cylinder petrol engine under the hood, while the kerb weight is rated at around 760 kgs. The new model will be produced at the Renault-Nissan facility near Chennai alongside the GO and upcoming GO+ MPV that is scheduled to be launched in early 2015. The past months have seen the GO take some major beating for its questionable safety after the Global NCAP results came out and now with the Redi-GO sharing the same underpinnings, safety is certainly not expected to be a strong point on the model. But then again, no car in that segment fares well when it comes to safety.

We also do not expect Datsun to make radical changes by loading up safety tech on-board as the company is looking to keep the prices competitive. However, structural integrity is something Nissan should rework on the Redi-GO despite its claims that the GO meets the “Indian safety requirements”. It will certainly be interesting to see how the company is able to rework on the safety of the Redi-GO as the model competes against the Maruti Alto 800, Tata Nano and the Hyundai Eon 800 in the segment.

Datsun redi-GO Showcase India
The model is aimed at younger first time car buyers & features raised ground clearance

Source – Kfz-Betrieb