[volkman10]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

May not be free. Doesn't seem to be a media drive event, more of a rental car. Also, its a base variant - which no company will provide for a media drive.
Autocar does this often - travelling on their own expense to other countries to bring some exclusives. An exclusive drive of a hot segment SUV might be a good cover story to sell some print.

Seem to be a Nissan sponsored event. OverDrive's review of International Kicks is out too.

That is a small story in itself and the experience was courtesy of Nissan India

Source:

[ashutoshb]

Seems like Nissan is, somewhat, pulling a 'Captur' here. Why promote associating a car, which isn't the same you are launching in this specific market.

And the media, the less I say about them, the better.

"Nissan Kicks | First Drive Review | Autocar India"

Does this title even remotely suggests that they are not talking about the Indian 'Kicks', but a namesake car, which has nothing to do with the Indian market?

Like I said earlier, you don't test a 3 series for the launch of a 5 series, just to tell people about the 'feel' of the car.

Our auto media should seriously consider better options of funding themselves. Otherwise, they will keep falling prey to these press junkets and making a fool of themselves and their readers / viewers.

'Presstitutes'? I don't want to go to that level, calling them that. But, that day isn't that far.

Tbhp should seriously consider the Consumer Reports model and become a viable alternative to such cowdung on the road.

[arjab]

The product planning bigwigs at the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance seems to be getting quite a KICK(s) - pun thoroughly intended, thinking they have the right tool to (K)CAPTUR the market!

They forget that in India, that the customers who buy vehicles in the million plus rupee bracket, are usually salaried, well travelled, well- informed individuals and possibly , quite a fair number of them are genuine auto enthusiasts as well.
In short, the customer in this price segment are very discretionary and will use their own powers of judgement to decide on a product rather than blindly fall for the OEM's marketing claptrap.

I'm not saying indian customers in lower priced, less than million rupee segment cannot make an informed choice - but some times they may give some benefit of doubt / leeway to the OEM because their expectations may not be that rigid keeping in mind the relatively lower price. Selling a tarted up Duster in new clothes designed by a Japanese stylist, and that too at a pretty high price, may not set the sales charts on fire the way Nissan wishes it to be. And don't forget, some very talented competition from Tata Motors, (Harrier), and Toyota(C-HR) are also on the way!

But I guess from a profitability point of view, the business case of using the Logan/Duster's - M0 - platform was too enticing. A fully depreciated platform, fully shared components and aggregates from Duster, lowers the breakeven point for the model tantalisingly low.

Let's wait and watch, whether this latest Franco-Japanese dish sauted in Romanian underpinnings appeals to the Indian palate or not!

[Sebring]

Kicks is available for two years now in the UAE. It's a fairly successful model. Though the rear leg space and boot space seems far less than Creta, the engine has good grunt. Nissan Kicks competes with Ford EcoSport in the Gulf.

I test drove the Automatic and engine specs will be completely different in India, so am avoiding posting a review. But yes, it is definitely an interesting addition to the SUV space!

[Mr.Boss]

People who got a chance to drive Global Kicks, can someone give a comparison against the poor old Duster family?

[arunshaunik]

Kicks is planning to take on Hyundai Creta. It's most promising feature happens to be the AVM (Around View Mirror) similar to what Passat offers. However Kicks is going to be based on the Terrano and Duster wheelbase. Infact it is a re-packaged Terrano - same engine, power, wheelbase, suspension. Nissan doesn't seem to have a plan for India. Kicks is not going to be a clincher for them.

[arunshaunik]

If Renault Captur failed miserably in India, Nissan Kicks, a rebadged Captur, would need to pull off something spectacular. Specially when consumers don't have confidence in Nissan's dealership and service centre network. With no successful model in India, I going to be a do or die for Nissan.

[blorebuddy]

I do not think it’s rebadged Captur. This is going to be completely different from Captur. As Nissan is going to be the brand for 10L and above cars as per the new strategy I think he price is going to be premium!

[cediaowner]

I saw a video by Faisal Khan of Motorbeam where he mentioned that the suspension and dynamics were based on the Juke. So it is not a mere rebadge. I think it is a much more sincere effort by Nissan than Renault. Still it is absolutely okay for the customers to be a bit wary considering their run in India.

[ashutoshb]

And the confusion prevails. Members have been posting pictures and reviews of the global Kicks, which is NOT the car being launched in India.

Please take note, it's the same case as Renault Kaptur and Indian Captur. Both are different, but similar looking cars.

[TusharK]

Scoop! Nissan Kicks media unveiling on October 18, 2018

Thanks to the Team-BHP fan (he prefers to remain anonymous) who sent this information in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing it with other enthusiasts via this page!



The media unveiling of the Nissan Kicks will be held on October 18, 2018 in Mumbai. Dealers have been informed that the car is expected to be launched in January 2019.

The Nissan Kicks is based on the same platform as the Renault Duster and the Captur. It features a V-shaped grille up front and sweptback headlamps as well as a dual-tone front bumper with a silver scuff plate and rectangular fog lamps. The car has flared wheel arches and raked rear windshield. The rear also gets wraparound tail lights.

Inside, the Kicks could get dual-tone interiors with an infotainment screen in the centre and a 3-spoke multi-function steering wheel. It is likely to be offered with a 360-degree camera among other features.

The Nissan Kicks is expected to be offered with both petrol and diesel engine options. It is likely to be priced between Rs. 10-14.5 lakhs and will compete with the Hyundai Creta and the Renault Captur in the Indian market.

[Chrome6Boy]

I think Nissan is trying to position a Brezza / Ecosport rival as a Creta rival. Their only excuse for this is that the car is longer than 4 metres thereby attracting more taxes.

However, is the car itself a rival to Ecosport or to Creta? Judging by the reviews, photos and comments from international sightings this car is not a true Creta rival.

I think of Yaris as an example of what Nissan is trying to do. Internationally the Yaris actually is in the Amaze / Dzire segment, whereas the Vios rivals the City. I think Toyota tried to pull a fast one and brought the Yaris in to compete with the City / Ciaz. Despite some gadgets, gimmicks and some genuine offerings in safety they seem to have failed to challenge the segment leaders.

Only time will tell, if the Kick succeeds.

[ACM]

Irrespective of any vehicle they bring in, it will not work.

1) It is not creating a new segment like done earlier by Duster and then EcoSport or even Kwid.

2) Renault + Nissan need combined showrooms and service facilities across India to to have scale, visibility and economies of scale.

[wilful]

Would be interesting to see the veil being lifted.
On another note - should the title of this thread not be renamed now - since the Kicks will be up against the Creta? And even if one were to pit it against the sub 4 metre CSUVs, would it not be more appropriate to substitute Brezza for Ecosport since it is the market leader by a mile and then some?

[motorworks]

So im a little curious as to how Nissan will price the Kicks. If you look at the history, rebadged cars of Renault from Nissan have been higher priced and vice versa. So the Terrano was more expensive than the Duster and the Pulse was more expensive than the Micra. And similar policy also existed for the Scala and Sunny. In the same trend, the Kicks should be more expensive than the Captur! But the Captur was an utter disaster. So as a group, If Nissan and Renault understand that there is no way they can reignite the interest in the Captur, they should price the Kicks at about the same as the Creta or even the Duster and give the product a good chance of some decent sales.

Forget the lineage of the Kicks and all that. Yes, it is based on the Duster and its a fact. So its not a bad product. What Nissan and Renault should be aware is that even the Duster is steadily slipping and with the Captur out of the picture, they actually need a replacement for the Duster and not the Captur itself. As a group, they need a decent seller and they can manage one if they price it sensibly.

And the Creta base versions are actually priced very well, they are badly equipped, but many people pick up the E and E plus variants which are just about 11-12 Lakhs on road! So that is a fantastic starting point! If the Kicks were to sort of match that kind of base variant pricing and add slightly more features, I think it would have some chance of generating some decent numbers. Else its a goner!