The culture of multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) has just picked up in the Indian auto market with the advent of cars that are affordable, fuel-efficient and packed with features. Such cars have a utility to carry a large number of passengers, still leaving an adequate amount of space for luggage and necessary items. The likes of Toyota Innova, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Mahindra Xylo and recently launched Chevrolet Enjoy have been attempting to modify the MPV segment with they respective features but somehow only the initial two have been done well. Taking competition to another level, Honda and Datsun are likely to launch Mobilio and Go Plus MPVs, respectively, in India.
Honda Mobilio, as it is widely known, will mark the entry of the Japanese car maker in the MPV segment. Datsun Go Plus, interestingly, will be the second launch of Nissan's low end brand Datsun in Indian market after the introduction of Go hatchback, likely to be launched soon. Interestingly, both companies are based in Japan and a stiff rivalry exists between them. As far as the Indian market is concerned, Honda is quite ahead of Nissan as the former has been present in the country for a long time. Many industry experts have discussed and analysed the potential rivalry between Honda Mobilio and Datsun Go Plus.
To start with the basic body structure, both cars exhibit similarity, which somehow is uncanny. Honda Mobilio is based on the company's premium hatchback, Brio's platform and displays the same front grille but a deep insight on the outlook unfastens the complexity. On the front, the main grille is minutely extended to provide a unique shape to the car with side portion flaunting chiselled artistry that reaches to the back. Rear end is lumped with modish tail lights, enclosing into the rear window pane.
Datsun Go Plus, on the other hand, carries the same components of its hatchback sibling, Go. The wheelbase also is the same as hatchback but it is overall elongated to accommodate more space. The company has somehow made its MPV cost efficient by blending it with the same ingredients of the hatchback, where the former displays the same styling of headlights and tail lamps, minus the designing which can be termed as conventionally dynamic.
Under the hood, Honda Mobilio is tapped with the recently launched 'Earth Dream' diesel engine, holding a capacity of 1.5 litres. The power output by these mills is high, which in turn provides the car with good acceleration and a sturdy drive. Datsun Go Plus is expected to be incorporated with 1.2-litre petrol engine, the same mill which is currently powering Nissan Micra, sources have claimed. And although the capacity of the engine is low, the company claims that its 2-wheel drive automobile can reach decent figures in terms of speed and mileage. Both cars with feature 5-speed manual gearboxes and meticulously designed mechanical parts.
In terms of interiors, Datsun Go Plus will come with basic features of power steering, air-condition vents and power windows for a comfortable journey. The car is commodiously laid out, with 3 rows of passenger seats facilitating up to 7 people conveniently. Inside looks almost the same as the hatchback Go but to one's surprise, the gearbox is emulsified into the dashboard itself, saving extra space for the car. By introducing such features, experts feel that Datsun Go Plus can easily carry 3 passengers in the front row. The mid row is reclining which compensates the lack of spacing in the last row. Entertainment features of high audio-output stereo and a mobile dock station is also offered with the car.
Honda Mobilio is much more capacious on the inside, with its wheel base almost 250 mm longer than Amaze. The 7-passenger capacity, 3-row seat car offers spacious design in every seating arrangement. The dashboard is lumped with all the required consoles and entertainment features and the option of steering mounted control are also available in higher variants. The mid-row is reclining type with a 60:40 split ratio, which can capacitate extra luggage easily. The car is sleekly designed and perfectly keeps up with all the features of modern practicality.
Summing up the two MPVs, experts are of a view that Datsun Go Plus does lack the technological advancement of Honda Mobilio but in given time, can provide a stiff competition to the latter. However, Honda has been present for a decent time in India and has stabilised its domestic market presence constantly. With astute marketing strategies, the company gets into limelight with several speculations about its automobiles doing rounds. Datsun needs to show the same aggressiveness to match the level of its Japanese rival and who knows what wonders it could do in the country.
