Global unveiling of Datsun Redigo-based hatchback on April 14

Having burnt its fingers with ‘badge-engineered’ cars or using each other’s logos on the same vehicle in India, Nissan and Renault cars built on the same platform will each be given have their own distinct identity in the future.

Nissan’s upcoming equivalent car under the Datsun brand, known by its codename: I2 or ‘Redigo’, will be very different in character and personality to the Renault Kwid with which it shares the same CMF-A platform. “We have a very good car which is very different and very urban-centric. In my eyes, it’s got a lot stunning points like a modern fresh face and I believe that we have a very unique offering that, hopefully, the Indian customer will appreciate,” says Trevor Mann, chief performance officer, Nissan, speaking exclusively to Autocar India, Autocar Professional’s sister magazine.

Unlike the Kwid, which has strong SUV styling cues and a distinct ‘two-box’ design, the Datsun Redigo will have a taller stance using vertical space to free up more interior room and will look similar to the concept car.“The ingress and egress is very easy, it’s a tall car and because of that, the hip-point on the seat is also high. The ground clearance (expected to be around 200mm) is also very good and it's got very good all-round visibility, it's also more roomy,” confirms Mann.

Powering the Redigo will be the same 800cc powertrain mated to a five-speed gearbox. However, the 1-litre engine and AMT option that was seen on the Kwid at the 2016 Auto Expo in Delhi will come much later on the Datsun. According to sources, the Redigo is unlikely to be as well equipped as the Kwid and a crucial omission at launch is the large touch-screen which is a big hit in the Kwid.

In fact, equipment levels in the Redigo are believed to be not as generous as in the Kwid because Datsun had originally planned to position the Redigo below the Kwid and price it approximately Rs 30,000 lower. However, in a surprise move, Renault usurped the Redigo’s position with a rock-bottom entry price of Rs 2.57 lakh at launch, which took the entire industry in India aback including partner (and rival!) Nissan. “We had not expected Renault to price the Kwid so low,” said a Nissan source on condition of anonymity.

The baby Datsun will be globally unveiled in New Delhi on April 14 but the market introduction will be in end-May. Price will be a key factor and a figure of around Rs 2.6 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base Redigo is likely.