World premiere at the Auto Expo; design hints at a future compact SUV to rival the EcoSport
Datsun has released a sketch of the concept that will premiere at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo in February. Till now, Datsun was tight-lipped about its car line-up in India and we only knew the Go and Go+ were slated to go on sale here but we are looking at a full scale range expansion in the near future if this concept makes it to production.
Once Datsun steps foot into the cut-throat compact car segment with the Go and takes on the MPV challenge with the Go+, it looks like the compact SUV segment is its next target. The sketch reveals a bold new concept from Datsun that resembles the Ford EcoSport’s form. The stubby high set nose, tall stance and minimal overhangs hint at a sub-4 metre compact SUV. Large sweeping headlights extending almost to the A-pillar and the gaping trapezoidal grille in line with the current Datsun design language give the concept a imposing stance. A character line rises higher from the headlight to the window sills culminating into the Volvoesque rear.
Datsun says that the concept car represents a possible design direction for further expansion of the Datsun line-up in high growth markets like India. Datsun plans to sell its cars through Nissan showrooms to begin with but had hinted at opening its own showrooms once it had the range to justify it. This could well be the car that prompts Datsun to step out of Nissan’s cocoon and venture on its own.
While the concept promises to be the star of the Datsun enclosure considering our love for SUVs, the Go hatchback will also be displayed as well as the Go+ MPV. Both these cars will be showcased for the first time in the flesh in front of the Indian audience. Datsun sure is making its first Indian Auto Expo outing a memorable one.
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