Nissan India yesterday took the wraps off the Indian spec Nissan Kicks compact SUV which will launch in January 2019. The Kicks for India, unlike the international model based on the Nissan V platform, uses the Renault Nissan Alliance's M0, a well-localised platform serving the Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano and Renault Captur in the Indian market.
The company says the Kicks's body is built with GRAPHENE (Gravity-philic Energy Absorption) Body Structure, claiming structural benefits and improved crashworthiness. Only the exterior of the Kicks was revealed, and the interior and other specifications are expected to trickle down by December.
On the outside though, the Kicks features a floating roof design, roof rails, LED daytime running lights, shark fin antenna, foglights, integrated turn signals on the ORVMs, and 17-inch 5 spoke diamond cut alloy wheels. Nissan is also sure to offer contrast roof colours as the display unit featured an Orange roof on a grey body.
Compared to the international Kicks, the India spec model courtesy of the older platform, is more significant in every dimension: The Kicks for India stands at 4,384 mm in length, 1,813 mm in width, 1,656 mm in height and 2,673 mm in wheelbase as compared to the international variant's 4,295 mm, 1,760 mm, 1,590 mm and 2,620 mm respectively. As a result, expect the Indian Kicks to boast better ground clearance and boot volume as well (the international spec features a 200 mm ground clearance and 432 litres of cargo volume).
As for engines, the Kicks in India is expected with the 1.5-litre H4K petrol and the 1.5 litre K9K diesel units. The former develops 106 PS and 142 Nm of torque and could be offered with a manual or CVT whereas the latter with outputs of 110 PS and 245 Nm could be seen with a 6-speed manual or AMT. However, AWD is not on the anvil.
