[pg83]

Even if the car is going to be priced less than 4 lac, even then there are many other competitors which give more bang to the buck especially Hyundai Eon, which is also cheaper and has very good interior. As a matter of fact, Alto K10 gives the complete package for the amount they take.
First of all Nobody knows Datsun, for their first car in Indian market, they should have offered something unique. After all first impression is the last impression. Although the exterior has nothing offensive, but interior when compared to other entry level cars is under par. Why give a stereo at all, if this is what is being planned. Atleast a USB input is a must have. Secondly they could have done something better with it, it looks ugly.
IMO this car is just going to past like breeze ( nobody is going to notice it), they seriously need to improve the interiors of the car, if they want to pitch in the market successfully.

[Powersteer]

Originally Posted by pg83

even then there are many other competitors which give more bang to the buck especially Hyundai Eon, which is also cheaper and has very good interior. As a matter of fact, Alto K10 gives the complete package for the amount they take.
First of all Nobody knows Datsun,

People familiar with history of cars, especially Nissan, know Datsun. Many might procure for nostalgia alone.

The Go will be a 1.2 against its 1000cc 800cc competition and thus the fun to drive quotient will be higher.

[zenren]

Originally Posted by Powersteer

The Go will be a 1.2 against its 1000cc 800cc competition and thus the fun to drive quotient will be higher.

Wrong segment placement if FTD is what they want to project for this car. Entry level car buyer is typically just learning to drive and is more concerned about every rupee he spends on the car than the fun to drive factor. 1.2L engine could become its nemesis if it cannot match the fuel efficiency of its 800cc competitors Eon and Alto 800.

Maruti has cleverly positioned Alto 800 for the FE conscious and peppy Alto K10 for the youth to ensure they have a car that caters to either segments. Though Maruti doesn't reveal the breakup of sales numbers for different Altos, I think the 800 sells more than K10 based on what I see on the road.

[i74js]

Nissan has not learnt from its so many years of presence in India. They should have picked up a mass market product of around 3 Lac Rupees instead of Go which will be placed next to the stripped down version of Micra.

- With almost similar price tag, buyers will compare both Go and Micra Active and will find Micra more VFM.
- The interiors are BAD in Go, Even a 1000 rupees head unit (sold online and through news papers adv like Naptol etc) comes with a digital display, SD and USB support and remote control. Why in this world Datsun is providing this head unit in the car which is offencive.

This could be another Nano in making and once it is stamped as a poor car, no revival will get them expected sales.

Nissan - there is still time to correct things before you open your gates for new customers !

[Sebring]

I quite like its exterior appearance. Anything in front of the new Alto 800 looks good these days. Interiors and dash, Ill judge once the car is out. Yeah, the overlap with Micra Active should be avoided. Other major challenge being; Datsun as an unknown brand.

[swiftnfurious]

In most posts of this thread, the stereo / usb charging module takes a peak and gets bashed to no end! I am forced to think this is done more by those who have NOT even seen the car in flesh.

Actually the rest of the car (which makes 99%) of the total package is too good to worry about this portion. And if someone can afford a 4L car, they also can afford another Rs. 2000/- to do away with this piece and get another head unit.

For a first time owner, this car makes a very compelling proposition in terms of size of the car, it's space and seating comfort (we do NOT sit into the car, neither is it as tall as a Wagon R). The part quality is well within acceptable range. And I hope the engine is going to remain close to the segment standards with respect to the refinement / power / FE / reliability fronts.

Edit:: If Nissan is smart enough to provide an AMC package for 3 / 5 years with the costs of services mentioned upfront, it will bring a lot of confidence on this brand. And Nissan should do something of this sort if they need some pie from Alto / Eon.

[pg83]

Originally Posted by Powersteer

People familiar with history of cars, especially Nissan, know Datsun. Many might procure for nostalgia alone.

The Go will be a 1.2 against its 1000cc 800cc competition and thus the fun to drive quotient will be higher.

Well, IMHO majority of people looking for a car under 4 lac INR are more interested in the mileage rather than power. Since this is the segment where most of the buyers are those who have jumped from 2 wheeler segment to 4 wheeler.

[DRIV3R]

Spotted this possibly one of the final production test mules(?) doing rounds inside Chennai city.

Pardon the out of focus pics as I had to keep my eyes on the road.

[Powersteer]

Originally Posted by zenren

Wrong segment placement if FTD is what they want to project for this car. Entry level car buyer is typically just learning to drive and is more concerned about every rupee he spends on the car than the fun to drive factor. 1.2L engine could become its nemesis if it cannot match the fuel efficiency of its 800cc competitors Eon and Alto 800.

Originally Posted by pg83

Well, IMHO majority of people looking for a car under 4 lac INR are more interested in the mileage rather than power. Since this is the segment where most of the buyers are those who have jumped from 2 wheeler segment to 4 wheeler.

I am not sure if this will appeal to the general demographic of a buyer in the price range, but, should an auto enthusiast be complaining when a particular company brings out a powerful car at the price band of an anaemic one?

What about the select few who would want to own a no-frills low-cost Fun to drive car? Shouldn't some company be serving that clientele? Or just because it might not be making huge numbers, the whole concept should be shelved and enthusiasts are made to pay for many a things that he would probably not even be interested, when he wants a basic powerful FTD ride.

Besides, our market has shown some change, like acceptance of hatchbacks at pricepoints where a person can buy an mid-size sedan. Unthinkable a few years back.

[thoma]

Going by the response from this thread alone, there are strong sentiments, for and against. So I guess the Go is to stay, may be not selling exactly in the numbers Datsun wants.

I just loved the exterior design. Simple and elegant. The rear looks so similar to the Micra. In the above spy shots, the car is better on road than in pictures; though the actual verdict comes only when we gauge the size of its competitors side by side.

EDIT: Is the Go displayed in showrooms yet?

[blackasta]

Originally Posted by thoma

Is the Go displayed in showrooms yet?

According to radio spots in Kolkata, the Go should be displayed in one of their showrooms today and in a reputed mall tomorrow.

[zenren]

Originally Posted by Powersteer

What about the select few who would want to own a no-frills low-cost Fun to drive car? Shouldn't some company be serving that clientele? Or just because it might not be making huge numbers, the whole concept should be shelved and enthusiasts are made to pay for many a things that he would probably not even be interested, when he wants a basic powerful FTD ride.

Besides, our market has shown some change, like acceptance of hatchbacks at pricepoints where a person can buy an mid-size sedan. Unthinkable a few years back.

Are you trying to say that a less efficient 1.2L engine from Nissan that churns out 67bhp would be more fun to drive than an efficient Suzuki 1L engine that gives the same 67bhp? I don't think any enthusiast is allergic to good fuel efficiency, especially if his budget does not permit him beyond the A-segment.

A true enthusiast doesn't need a big engine to get his thrill. Its the driving dynamics that matter to him more than the statistical data like cc/bhp/torque etc. All these are secondary.

Do you really think a true enthusiast would fall for their marketing gimmick of "we have 1200cc engine while Alto has just 1000cc"?

BTW, a 'wanna-be-enthusiast' who just knows how to floor the accelerator and has no idea of the braking distance of his car is definitely better off staying in a sedate car or off the road in the best interest of public safety.

[Powersteer]

Originally Posted by zenren

Are you trying to say that a less efficient 1.2L engine from Nissan that churns out 67bhp would be more fun to drive than an efficient Suzuki 1L engine that gives the same 67bhp?

Do you really think a true enthusiast would fall for their marketing gimmick of "we have 1200cc engine while Alto has just 1000cc"?

The maximum power rating only serves as a ballpark indicator of performance, does not necessarily show how the vehicle stacks up on the road. We have had 93 bhp cars faster than 100bhp ones.

Just for the sake of records, 0-100 figures from Autocar

Alto K10 - 15.87 secs
WagonR/Stingray - 16.9 secs

Nissan Micra - 14.23 secs

Now tell me, which one amongst these should appeal to an enthusiast? The steering on K10 etc are also pretty lifeless.

Infact @Zenren - The very car you have on your avatar pic, was a game and perception changer in those days when it was launched.

It was almost 1.75 times costlier than the Maruti 800 then, engine capacity was bigger and was not as fuel efficient. For people in the price range, spending a bit more and buying the Maruti 1000 was perceived as a much wiser decision, since it was a sedan. The jelly bean styling was not to everyones tastes. I distinctly remember an argument at home on not going for the Zen. The general public wrote off the Zen as Maruti's bad decision. However, we kids loved to see the Zen and found it cool to even call its name out. Maruti however clearly stuck to the "exhileration" theme, trying to appeal to people that Zen will make driving a pleasure. One or two cars started trickling in the neighborhood and slowly people began to appreciate the gem in the Zen. So had Maruti clearly shelved the project based on what people would accept at that point, we would not be here today. Zen was the first true hot hatch.

Sorry for going Off-topic. But I guess you know the point I am trying to make here. Lets see if the car gets accepted. Lets see if we can take this cheap car to rallying. If it doesn't work out, we dont have anything to loose, Nissan does.

[AmarPaithankar]

Our indigenous Nano is substantially better than Renault-Nissan's offering.

But we Indians being the ones who run behind "snob value", the Go might click as you are getting a "European-Japanese" car in very less rupees.

[swiftnfurious]

Originally Posted by AmarPaithankar

Our indigenous Nano is substantially better than Renault-Nissan's offering..

Could you tell us what all parameters did you evaluate among these two cars to arrive at your conclusion?

Also whether you have seen the Go in person?