Datsun GO

If style is what you are looking for at the lowest and most affordable prices, the Datsun GO is the perfect car for you. An ideal car for first time buyers, you get the feeling of buying something very classy when you choose the Datsun GO. You have the technological brilliance of the Japanese car giant, Nissan working in your favour. One of the few cars to have made their global debut in India, the Datsun GO has the Hyundai Eon and the Maruti Alto K10 as its main competitors.
The Datsun GO images can be alluring to look at. In fact, you would just feel the itch to have a test drive, just to experience the feel of sitting inside a classy car. The Datsun GO specifications are very much similar to that of the Nissan’s Micra. You have the similar compact body while being spacious all the time. The major objective of Nisan is to cater to the dreams of the first time car buyers in the Tier 2 and the Tier 3 cities of India. The Datsun GO exterior is definitely impressive in comparison to its immediate competitors. With six variants in this price range, the Datsun GO does offer a great choice while being economical all the same. It is very difficult to get a car as spacious as the Datsun GO in this price range. The Datsun GO interior can accommodate five persons easily without anyone having to squeeze in. These are some of the attractive Datsun GO features that should entice you to opt for this hatchback in comparison to their peers. This vehicle saves cabin space by including the hand brake and the gear shift lever on the dashboard. You have some unique features such as the mobile docking point and the rear folding seats to increase cargo space as very interesting ones.
Powered by a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine, the Datsun GO mileage performanceis the stuff of dreams. The company envisages a uniform 20.6 kmpl on all its six variants. This vehicle is capable of producing 68 PS of power along with 104 Nm of torque thereby making it one of the most powerful ones in this particular segment. The manual five-speed transmission system is the perfect one to suit the Indian roads as well as those in developing countries such as Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, and South Africa.

One must admit that the Datsun GO is a large hatchback for its pricing. You have the attractive hexagonal honeycomb grille. The chrome surrounds look stylish all the same. The lift type door handles blend seamlessly with the Datsun Go exterior. The single wiper is a money saving venture, However, Nissan does not compromise with style as is evident from the angular styling cues on the headlamps and the air dam.

The Datsun GO exterior has a striking resemblance to the Nissan Micra. The four creases on the side profile makes the car look attractive and alluring from the sides as well. You can experience more creases in the rear areas especially around the tail lamps. The square shaped tail lamps coupled with the wrap around effects make for pleasant viewing. The high loading lip for the boot-lid makes it easily accessible. The 13-inch steel wheels come equipped with 155/70 section tyres. They may look small but do not affect the Datsun GO handling in any way.

If the Datsun GO exterior exudes style, the Datsun GO interiors are not far behind in any way. The Japanese quest for maintaining the highest quality standards is evident in the Datsun GO interior. The layout of the cabin can give every other hatchback a run for its money. The front seats with slim backrests and integrated head rests are comfortable enough. You have an extra layer of padding between the two front seats to enable you to store items if required.
You have a great informative centre console considering the low pricing of the vehicle. The umbrella-type hand brake and the mobile holder complement each other beautifully. Other Datsun GO features include the digital tachometer and the informative electronic fuel gauge that shows the distance you can travel before you exhaust the fuel. You get instantaneous information about your fuel economy average. The low fuel warning and the trip meter completes the attractive features on the console.
The mobile docking system has the latest amenities such as an Aux-in, an accessory socket, and a USB port. The resemblance to the Nissan Micra continues to the Datsun GO interior as well with similarly styles AC vents, door handles, and instrument cluster. There are a couple of storage trays in place as well. The front doors have power windows with the rear ones have to do with the manual controls.

Datsun GO shares the same 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine with the Nissan Micra. The only difference is the better tuning in this particular engine. This allows for greater fuel efficiency. Capable of achieving a speed of 100 kmph within 13.3 seconds is a tremendous achievement for such a small car as the Datsun GO. The well insulated cabin muzzles the sound and vibrations of the 3-cylinder engine thereby paving the way for a comfortable Datsun GO performance. The 5-speed manual Datsun GO transmission is an efficient one by all means.

The Datsun GO petrol engine is a fuel efficient one in all respects. With a Datsun GO mileage of 20.63 kmpl, it rivals that of the Hyundai i10. Having a fuel tank capacity of 35 litres, a tank full of petrol can allow you to traverse quite a comfortable distance. This Datsun GO petrol engine exhibits a high torque thereby enabling it to achieve higher levels of fuel economy.

Having set its price range in the most economical band, it is natural that you should not expect all the safety features in the Datsun GO. The vehicle does have disc brakes on the front wheel but lacks the auto braking system. Hence, experiencing wheel lock-ups especially when you brake hard is common. Though the car might tend to change its direction a bit during this procedure, it still manages to feel stable at high speeds. The suspension can make the car feel a bit bouncy on the uneven roads. As far as the overall Datsun Braking and Safety is concerned, you have seat belts for all the passengers. It can be difficult to imagine Nissan providingairbags at this pricing level. Some of the important Datsun GO features are the engine immobiliser, child locks, and the manual central locking system.

The speed-sensitive power steering system enables easy Datsun GO handling. Though the steering can be a bit heavy as compared to the Hyundai vehicles, there is no compromise on the convenience factor. The 13-inch tubeless tyres enhance the Datsun GO performance levels a great deal. The Macpherson struts for the front wheels make riding over the toughest roads quite easy. The ground clearance is 170 mm thereby allowing it comfortable leeway whereas the turning radius of 4.6 metres makes the Datsun GO an easily manoeuvrable vehicle.

One has to admit that the Datsun GO has to face tough competition from its peers. However, it has managed to carve out a niche for itself in the Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in India. The unavailability of the Datsun GO diesel variant can prove a disadvantage. However, the Datsun GO petrol models have the ability to hold their heads high amidst heavy competition.

The closest competitors to the Datsun GO are the Hyundai Eon and the Maruti Alto K10. The Hyundai vehicle represents the typical fluidity of the Korean design whereas the Maruti Alto K10 is an improvised version of the Maruti Alto. Under the circumstances, the Datsun GO is the most modern looking vehicle among its peers.
Considering the price range on offer, all the three models have similar features. However, the Datsun GO scores over the others with the provision of the additional cushioning between the driver and the front passenger seats. The dash board mounted gear box is a distinct feature of the Datsun GO.