Datsun Go promises premium experience at affordable price

After a very exciting build-up to not only the return of a global marque, but also the launch of its first product in the new age, the Go is finally here.

Pricing has been kept extremely competitive as well – at Rs 3.70 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the top-end variant, the Datsun Go is easy on the pocket, yet offers some enticing features as well.

For starters, the car is quite a good looking machine and should appeal to a young generation with its crisp, clear and sporty lines.

Considering that the car has indeed been named based on the DAT-GO, the company's very first product in Japan from almost a century ago, it carries that intrinsic Datsun DNA of bringing mobility to the masses.

But the Go is not just about being mobile, it is also about a premium experience at an affordable price and judging by the looks of things, the Go has gone off to a good start thanks to the pricing.

The Datsun Go will be available in three variants and sales commenced from Wednesday across parent company Nissan's showrooms in the country. The base variant is christened the 'D' and is priced at Rs 3,12,270.

A little higher up at Rs 3,46,482 is the mid-level 'A' variant and the top-of-the-line 'T' variant is at Rs 3,69,999 – all prices ex-showroom in Delhi. It is clear that Datsun is looking at taking on competition like Maruti-Suzuki's Alto and Wagon R as well as the Hyundai Eon, but in comparison the car is a lot more spacious and offers the performance and fuel efficiency of a three-cylinder 1.2 litre petrol engine, which should be an attractive proposition for buyers.

Of course, there is a lot of technological innovation involved as well – the entry-level D variant gets digital tachometer, drive computer that displays instantaneous fuel economy, average fuel economy and distance to empty, Follow-me-home headlamps, speed sensitive wipers and silver finish front radiator grille.

The mid-level A variant adds an air conditioner with filter, chrome front grille, body coloured bumpers and Jacquard seat upholstery to the equation. The top of the line T variant comes with speed sensitive electric power steering, front power windows, Mobile Docking Station (MDS) with amplifier, universal mobile holder, aux-in and USB charger, front speakers, central locking and full wheel covers.

The Datsun Go hasn't been launched with either ABS or airbags, but company officials say that the technology is ready and available and as soon as customers want these to be made available to the Go these can be incorporated at an additional cost in future variants.

The Japanese company though, has really done a good job with the pricing and there couldn't be a better way to introduce Datsun back to the world, setting up the stage for two more models to be launched by 2016 including the Go+ MPV as well as a third product based on the concept shown off at the Auto Expo earlier this year.

—Zeegnition

Datsun Go D – Rs 3,12,270

Datsun Go A – Rs 3,46,482

Datsun Go T – Rs 3,69,999