The Datsun brand has been resurrected and is here in India. The Go is their first offering and looks set to give the small car segment more get up and go.
Story: Jim Gorde
Photography: Rommel Albuquerque
It’s a small world, they say, but in truth, how small is small? When you stop at a traffic light, how often do you recognise anyone there? It’s usually faces you’ve never seen before. It’s quite a big world, it is. So, when the small hatchback segment gets a rather big challenger with a new face and an extremely competitive price-tag, it’s almost certain that feathers will be ruffled.
Datsun is a company that began manufacturing operations in 1931. The brand-name remained until 1986, with Nissan exporting models using the ‘Datsun’ name. It was then phased out, but now, the name is back, returning as the entry-car brand for growing and upcoming markets. Nissan have positioned Datsun as the ‘brand of the risers’ and it makes complete sense. For a first car, you would expect something convenient, frugal and spacious with low maintenance and easy driveability, and the Go ticks all those boxes, or so it seems.
Take a good look at the car and, barring the front grille, it’s very Micra. The proportions are rather generous for the segment; there’s no question about that. The quality of sheet metal and levels of fit-and-finish are not too bad at all. The angular light clusters go well with the design theme, and each part looks well-integrated, unlike some of its competition, which look as if the creators merely rummaged through the parts bin.
Inside, too, the same levels of consistency continue. Parts do not look out of place and gaps between components invite respect. Yes, the quality of plastics and fittings makes you realise that this car was built to a price, but other than that, there is little or no reason to complain. The steering wheel isn’t abnormally large as is the case with some cars, and it lets you get a good grip with chunky 10:10 areas to grab on to. The dashboard extension gear-shift lever is ergonomic and comes within natural reach.
If there was an annoyance, it would be the parking brake lever, which extends out from under the dash when engaged, and, when it’s time to let go, you could get your fingers caught in the gap. Once it’s in, the problems will continue for some. The handle protrudes and gets into your knee-room. You have to adjust the seat as far back as possible to avoid hitting your knee on it. That’s about the only inconvenience. Well, almost. The T model we drove has front power windows, but in the interest of costs, there’s only one switch per door. So, the driver has to reach across and over the passenger seat to get the front passenger window down.
