Report - Datsun could introduce automatic transmission to broaden appeal of Go family

03/12/2013 - 11:16 | Datsun Go, Datsun | Shrawan Raja

Our friends at AutonetMagz have reported that Datsun may introduce automatic transmission variants of the Go models in the future to broaden appeal in crowded Indonesian cities.

Datsun Go+ rear — The Go family may need an automatic transmission in the future to appeal to a wider fold of customers, especially in big Indonesian cities.

An automatic transmission would not be available on the vehicle at the time of launch. The specification chart of the Go+ reveals that the car would receive a 68PS 1.2L petrol engine matched to a 5-speed transmission (borrowed from the Nissan Micra). The same powertrain applies to the Go in India, where the market for automatic transmission is in a nascent stage.

The Go+'s 1.2L engine is available with a CVT on the Micra. Configuring the Datsun to the same specification would pose no troubles as both share the same platform.

2013 Nissan Micra CVT automatic gearlever — The Micra's CVT unit can be adopted directly on the Go as both vehicles share the same chassis.

The Go's chief rival, Toyota Agya (and its cousin Daihatsu Ayla) are announced with an optional automatic transmission. Toyota foresees demand for AT in Indonesia's main cities, as prospective buyers look for ways to beat stressful traffic jams. Having said that, other LCGC contestants Honda Brio Satya and the Suzuki Wagon R don't offer an automatic transmission option currently.