Datsun India is all set to launch the new 1-litre variant of its entry-level hatchback car – the redi-GO, on July 26, 2017. Essentially just a more powerful version of the regular redi-GO, the new Datsun redi-GO 1.0L will see no cosmetic changes and the feature list also remains the same. Early this month, we brought you our first drive review of the car and also reported that Datsun showrooms have started accepting bookings for the car for a token of ₹ 10,000. Here are all the other things that you need to know about the soon-to-be-launched Datsun redi-GO 1.0L variant.
The new Datsun redi-GO 1-litre variant will use the same 999 cc, three-cylinder petrol engine that powers the Renault Kwid 1-litre version. The engine makes about 67 bhp and develops a peak torque of 91 Nm.
While the engine has been developed by the company’s French partner Renault, engineers at Datsun have worked on it to improve power delivery. They call it the ‘i-SAT’ a.k.a. Intelligent Spark Automated Technology, which it says is better on performance delivery. The fuel efficiency has also improved at 22.5 kmpl compared to the Kwid 1.0L which returns 22.04 kmpl.
Unlike the Kwid AMT, right now Datsun has no plans to introduce an automatic or an automated manual transmission (AMT) version of the redi-GO. Hence, the car will only come mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, same as in the redi-GO with the 800 cc engine.
Datsun has also tweaked the suspension setting, which is now set on the stiffer side. This has also slightly improved the ride quality and considering it has a ground clearance of 185 mm, you get a good view of the road too.
Visually the upcoming redi-GO 1-litre variant remains identical to the regular redi-GO hatchback with its tall boy stance, sculpted profile and bold character lines. The car comes with the same halogen headlamps and bumper-mounted LED daytime running lights. So, the only distinguishing factor is the ‘1.0’ badge at the rear.
Like the exterior, the cabin layout is also largely similar to the outgoing 0.8-litre Datsun redi-GO. Having said that there are few styling changes like – all-black interior with red accents on the seats, new upholstery, silver finish on the AC vents and the horn pad.
The Datsun redi-GO misses out on the touchscreen infotainment system, which is offered with the Renault Kwid 1.0. Instead, the redi-GO gets a regular CD player, USB (which does not charge your phone) AUX-In and no Bluetooth.
The redi-GO 1-litre will only be available in two variants the T(O) and the S, and that’s a strategy similar to that of Renault, but finally, it’ll all come down to pricing, which we expect will be much lesser than its French counterpart.
Datsun has been selling 3000 units per month of the car consistently since its launch.
Once launched, the car will rival the likes of Maruti Suzuki Alto K10, the Hyundai Eon and even the Renault Kwid 1.0 for the matter.