After gambling with Go and Go+, Nissan owned Datsun has shown its third card on the table in an attempt to win over its competitors. Yeah! You are heading to the right direction. We are talking about Datsun Redi Go, which had just opened its eyes at the event in Delhi and came into effect from earlier this month. First showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo, the car runs on the same platform as the Kwid and expected to take on its rivals like Maruti Alto 800, and Hyundai Eon.

Well, all the players have already been sitting around the corners of the table, let’s see how far it will go and who will lead the game. It’s too soon to tell you that how Datsun Redi Go will perform and how much better it is going to be as compared to the entry level hatchbacks. Although we had made a comparison among the Datsun Redi Go with Renault Kwid, Tata Tiago and Maruti Alto 800, you can take a tour to gather detailed information.

In next section we are rendering an insight about how prospective it would be to buy a Redi Go along with all the essential specifications.

Exterior:-

Picking the first card of the game, which is logically the best one that can hike the interest of the play or can decrease it. Apparently, Datsun wants to raise its value in the game as it has made its first move in very well manner. Pursuing the details, its first card ‘Design’ is based on the Nissan-Renault Alliance platform, which underpins the Renault Kwid. The standard tall-boy design carries the right amount of features and looks to attract the buyers.

At front, a short bonnet is designed to cover the engine of vehicles, large honeycomb grille to protect the radiator and badged with a blue logo at the centre, smoked out sweptback headlamps and the bumper with a faux skid plates affixed beneath the bonnet along with daytime running lights. The grille has also been surrounded by a chrome outline situated between the headlights.

Over to the side profile, you will have to see sharp character lines across the length of the car from front door to rear tail lamps and 13-inch alloy wheels. The rear end of the car has also been equipped with faux skid plate at the rear bumper as well as chrome strip at the bottom of the boot lid and silver bash plate.

Interior:-

In order to make a strong pair in this game you also need some supportive card that can help you to get the best possible result. In car segment, interior is the strongest card that can attract maximum number of eyeballs. All the features inside the cabin have been adorned with grey plastic. Moreover, the cabin has got some fresh and unique setup in comparison to its older siblings.

The dashboard itself comprises gloss black centre console with a 2-DIN music system with digital display and also encouraging by a USB and AUX input, while you will miss the wireless support for the system. The instrument cluster is packed with an analogue speedometer and a digital panel to indicates such as fuel levels and trip meter.

Like all the other hatchback, it will also make you feel little bit uncomfortable if you are six feet tall. The inconvenience becomes more evident when you head to the boot space which is noted as 222-litres and slightly less from the Kwid. However, legroom is comfortable enough for front occupants but still rear passenger may get disturbed with the same thing. Furthermore, the rear seats are only good enough for two adults if you don’t want to stretch your shoulder.

The higher variants have also been furnished by some additional features like air conditioner, fabric upholstery, glove compartment, and a digital clock, while a heater facility is standard across all the trims.

Engine and Power specifications:-

It is the final card that can lead the player towards the winning line. Some of the other supportive cards are also necessary to be carried out in this game that include ride and handling, price, safety features, etc. Based on the same CMF-A platform as the Renault Kwid, which is also the first car to be performed with this common Nissan-Reliance Alliance platform, the Datsun Redi also shares the engine and transmission with Kwid. It is powered by the same 799 cc, three cylinder iSAT petrol engine tuned to belt out 53 Bhp of power at 5678 rpm and 72 Nm of torque at 4386 rpm. The transmission duties are carried out by a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Since no particular changes have been made in the powertrain, the mileage is also similar to the Kwid that is rated to be 25.17 kmpl on highway, while in city it returns 21.38 kmpl of fuel efficiency. Definitely, the absence of an automatic transmission unit can be considered as a negative aspects of this car, but it is not even available with Maruti Alto 800 and Renault Kwid.

Ride and Handling:-

Despite the similar platform, Datsun is relatively more lighter and cosy than the Kwid hatchback. As the Indian roads are full of potholes and bumps, Datsun has been providing you a unique H-shaped beam suspension for the rear and McPherson struts for the front to answer them. The speed sensitive electric steering system, which is available only in top end variant is so smooth to change track in a snap of a finger, but it will demand more manual effort to take a U-turn.

Redi Go doesn’t get ABS technology, however braking system is capable of stopping the wheels within a short distance. A 5m turning radius can hitch at the time of driving in the city. A driver side airbag is also present in the top end variant along with a passive safety feature crumple zone that are not visible features but it has an important role of avoiding serious injuries.

Variants:-

The Datsun range is available in 5 different trim levels that are badged in alphabetical method such as D, A, T, T(O) and S.

Datsun Redi Go D:- As a base variant of this car, it has been loaded with very minimal features that is priced at INR 2.4 Lakhs (Ex-showroom). Some of the basic features are listed as driver-side mirror, passenger storage tray, headrests, heater, trip meter, tailgate opener and steel wheels.

Datsun Redi Go A:- Along with the all basic elements, the Redi Go has also got body colored bumpers, headlights silver inserts, front grille covered by chrome treatment, silver colored steel wheels, foldable rear seats, digital tachometer, air conditioner and engine immobilizer. When it comes to price, it is tagged with INR 2.9 Lakhs showroom.

Datsun Redi Go T: Besides the features available in A trim, Redi Go T comes attached with wheel cover, body tuned door handles, power steering, piano finish on centre console and mobile docking system. With all the features, the car is available at the price of INR 3.2 Lakhs ex-showroom.

Datsun Redi Go T(O): The optional variant of the Redi Go can be bought for INR 3.3 Lakhs (Ex-showroom). The carmaker has added some supplementary features like power windows at front, Audio system with CD, AM, FM, USB, and AUX connectivity.

Datsun Redi Go S:- It is the top ranging model of the Redi Go that has been decorated by all the basic and additional features and carries an economical price tag of INR 3.4 Lakhs (Ex-showroom). A standard driver side airbags and daytime time running lights are the features that make it different it from others.

Verdict:-

After taking eyes on all the specification and features, it is confirmed that Nissan owned Datsun has  gone far this time to win the game. Its tall-boy design with eye catching interior in grey color, a better fuel efficiency and best in class ground clearance make it better from its earlier siblings. However, when we take some serious note on the features and compare it from the other entry level hatchback, it is quite disappointing in particular segments like turning radius, basic features and many other that we were already mentioned in the above section.