Introduction

Datsun took the wraps off its latest concept car the Go-Cross at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. Based on the Go+ compact MPV it is their entry into the highly competitive crossover market and gives us an idea of the direction in which Nissan wants to take the Datsun brand forward.

Datsun Go-Cross

The concept car has the same proportions as the Go+ but gets all the standard compact crossover elements like a body kit, chunkier wheels and a larger grille to give some muscle to the appearance. The body kit is contrast coloured while the front and rear bash plate elements are painted in silver.

Datsun has fitted this concept car with projector headlamps and LED DRLs which we believe will become standard headlights if the vehicle goes into production. The headlights get nice grey eyebrows which go really well with the rest of the appearance. One of the other noticeable elements on the car is the black roof tray with rails which, we believe, will be carried over to the production model. There is a small rear spoiler and very fancy looking C-shaped tail lamps.

Given that this is a concept car, Datsun has not released any pictures of the interior of the car. However, given the common interior design across its models we can predict (to a certain degree) that the cabin design of the Go-Cross will be very similar to everything else in the line-up. AC, AUX-IN interface and space for about five people (realistically) are expected to be on the offer list.

On the engine front, we expect the 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol to be standard offering. There is a high possibility that this may be the first model in the Datsun line up to be offered with a diesel engine, which in this case will be the 1.5-litre dCi that powers a variety of Nissan and Renault models. A five-speed manual will be common across all variants.

The Go-Cross in production form (if it reaches there) for the Indian market will open up a niche for vehicles of such nature. If we are to go by the previous time lines then we can expect some kind of official unveil next year with a launch a few months later.