Is Datsun redi-Go's performance on par with sibling Renault Kwid?

It is not a new information that Datsun redi-Go and Renault Kwid have the same genes under the hood. Both hatchbacks are based on the CMF-A platform developed by Renault-Nissan alliance. Both come with the same engine with identical specifications and fuel efficiency figures. Hence, redi-Go should ideally replicate the success of the Renault Kwid.

Datsun redi-Go is the newcomer which entered the market on June 7. While Renault Kwid features a pseudo-SUVish stance, the redi-Go comes in tall boy avatar. The Datsun hatchback is also priced Rs 24,000 lesser compared to the Kwid. However, it looks like the customer response for the redi-Go is not on par with the Kwid.

Datsun has received over 10,000 bookings for the redi-Go in five weeks after launch. At the same time, the Kwid that entered the market in September 2015 had racked up over 50,000 bookings in its first five weeks. The Renault hatchback currently has a cumulative booking of over 1.5 lakh units after 10 months of launch. The redi-Go's demand indicates it will take over a year to register 1.5 lakh bookings.

The redi-Go is not only priced lesser to the Kwid, but also lesser than the segment leader, Maruti Suzuki Alto 800. This also makes it clear that competitive pricing is not the only attraction for buyers.

However, Arun Malhotra, managing director for Nissan Motor India is happy with the performance of the redi-Go so far. "We are pleased with the initial response for the Redi-GO. We have over 10,000 bookings and have received close to 80,000 enquiries," Malhotra said reports Business Standard.

The redi-Go and Kwid are powered by a 799cc three-cylinder petrol motor, which is tuned to churn out 53bhp at 5,678rpm and a peak torque of 72Nm at 4,386rpm mated a five-speed manual gearbox. both hatchback also returns an ARAI-rated fuel efficiency of 25.17kmpl.