Datsun’s budget sedan for the Russian market leaked [update]

14/08/2012 - 11:30 | Datsun | Kaustubh Shinde

Update - We have removed the photographs on this story as the source website has taken down the originals.

Back in the summer of 2012, we brought you a scintillating scoop of Datsun’s revival for emerging markets. The idea is that Nissan will build premium cars that are for the affluent classes and Datsun will build budget cars for people wanting to buy their first car or upgrading themselves from a two-wheeler.

Datsun will specifically target emerging nations such as India, Russia and Indonesia.

A Russian publication Carobka.ru claims that it has managed to procure early sketches of Datsun’s first budget sedan. If this news holds any water, this would be the first official glimpse of what Datsun has in store for us.

Codenamed NKD 2196, the budget sedan is based on an extended platform of the LADA Granta. The LADA brand is owned by AvtoVAZ – a Russian automaker. Renault-Nissan have a 25% stake in AvtoVAZ giving them access to LADA cars.

The sketches reveal an aggressive front fascia of the NKD 2196. The face of seems to be influenced by LADA Granta's front fascia with a trademark Datsun hexagonal grille. Between the hexagonal grille, one can see the sketches of the new Datsun logo.

The similarity between the rear of the NKD 2196 and the LADA Granta is even more striking. The boot is slightly lifted upwards with a small lip spoiler.

Datsun's first two models

We have learned from our sources that the first two products of the Datsun brand will be hatchbacks. The entry level hatchback is codenamed I2 and it will compete against the Eon and the Alto. Another hatchback based on the V-Platform, codenamed K2, will complete against i10, Wagon R and Beat. Both products are expected to be revealed at the 2014 New Delhi Auto Expo.

Carobka.ru claims an estimated price tag of 300,000 Russian rubles which translates to 5.23 lakhs in today’s money.

Indian Autos Blog can reveal that Datsun does not have plans to launch a sedan or enter this segment here in India.

[Source: Carobka.ru]

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