Nissan's sub-brand Datsun is anticipated to witness the Indian daylight in July 2013. Though the sub-brand was discontinued back in 1986, the Japanese auto maker has decided to resurrect it for India and other global markets, since there is high demand for low cost cars today. As per reports, five new models of Datsun will be introduced in the country. Sub brand Datsun is being brought back to life under the leadership of Vincent Cobee, who has paid a lot of attention to the new trends being noticed in auto industries of emerging markets in the world. Cobee said that rather than cars being built as per the manufacturer, Datsun will produce vehicle which fit the needs of local buyers. Ideally, these vehicles will fit the budgets of the rapidly rising middle class section of society.
One of the vehicles, codenamed K2, would be a hatchback, which is expected to come for a price under Rs. 4 lakh. This vehicle will be a five-door hatchback and would provide best-in-class mileage, space and low cost of ownership. K2 could be revealed at the upcoming 2014 Delhi Auto Expo, or at a global premiere during June 2013. For revealing the exact date of launch, Nissan’s product strategy for Datsun will be determining the same. As per the sources close to the development process, the platform on which the K2 is to be manufactured would be a new one and not the V platform on which Nissan's Micra and Sunny are designed. However, the vehicle would be sharing parts with the Micra and be available for a price below Rs. 4 lakh.
The new Datsun hatch will have only a petrol engine in the initial phase. It would be primarily targeted towards customers of compact cars such as Maruti Suzuki Alto 800, Hyundai Eon and the Chevrolet Spark. It is anticipated that the car would come with a 3-cylinder 1.0 litre. At present, Nissan already has the HR10 engine, which is the younger cousin of the HR12 engine being used in the Micra. Most likely, this engine would be mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.
As per speculation, K2 would get an aggressive front, which would sport a new hexagonal bonnet grille and honeycomb design mesh. The headlamps are likely to be large and wrapped around the edges. Along with a large air dam in the front bumper, the Datsun K2 will have a modern front appearance. Other information about this new vehicle is expected to be revealed soon. Datsun vehicles will be available in regions such as Indonesia, India and Russia.
