Nissan Kicks compact crossover to be launched in India as brand shifts focus to SUVs

Nissan Motor is reportedly shifting its focus in India to SUVs and crossovers and the company is planning to bring the Kicks compact SUV in the country, ET Auto reported. The Japanese carmaker plans to launch at least three SUVs in the next three years in India. The X-Trail SUV has been confirmed already and the Go Cross is expected soon. The Kicks has been touted to be the third model for India. Nissan already said that the Kicks will be launched in more than 80 countries.

Based on the V-Platform that also underpins the company's Sunny sedan and the Micra hatchback, the Kicks was unveiled in Brazil last month. The Kicks features a V-motion grille, boomerang styled head and tail lights, and floating roof. It gets beefier wheel arches and blacked-out A- and B-pillars. The compact SUV measures 4,295mm in length, 1,760mm in width and 1,590mm in height, and has a 2,610mm wheelbase.

On the inside, the Kicks flaunts Gliding Wing dashboard design that is dominated by a centrally-mounted seven-inch display. The company claims best-in-class passenger space for rear passenger and in the rear and spacious boot area despite the coupe-like C-pillar layout. The Kicks also features Around View Monitor and Moving Object Detection, which use four on-board cameras to present a view of the car and to warn the driver of any unseen hazards.

The Kicks is powered by 1.6-litre flex-fuel engine mated to five-speed manual gearbox and a CVT in Brazil. In India, the compact SUV is expected to get 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine borrowed from Terrano SUV.