Japanese car-maker Nissan Motor Company is betting big on the Indian market. After launching the redi-Go, the entry level hatchback from its low-cost brand Datsun, Nissan is now shifting its focus to crossover and SUVs in India, reports ET Auto.
Nissan, which plans to expand its India line-up in the next three years with three new models, would launch its next Datsun offering — the Go-cross crossover — in the country in 2019. With the Go-cross, Datsun is aiming to take on the likes of the new Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and the Ford EcoSport.
Nissan also plans to enter the full-grown SUV segment with Nissan Kicks. The Kicks is expected to rival current front-runners like Hyundai Creta. Datsun Go-cross, codenamed EM2, is expected to fall in the price range of Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh. Nissan will also launch its X-Trail in India this year. DatSun Go-cross could be the fourth product of the company in India after the Go hatchback, Go+ MPV and the newly launched redi-Go. The Go-cross, which is based on the Go+ MPV, was showcased at the Auto Expo 2016. It was reported earlier that Datsun GO-cross would be available in both five-seater and seven-seater versions in India.
The Go-cross is likely to get a 1.2-litre three-cylinder DOHC 12-valve motor that is present in the Go and the Go+. The engine is likely to be tuned to churn out 64bhp of power at 5,000rpm and 140Nm of peak torque at 4,000rpm.
The GO-cross is expected to have a higher ground clearance. It is also likely to get features like larger alloy wheels, roof rails and a roof-mounted spoiler.
[1 lakh = 100,000 | 1 crore = 10 million | 100 crore = 1 billion]
