2017 Datsun redi-GO to launch in a few months - Reports

Will get the Kwid's 1L 3-cyl petrol engine.

Overdrive reports that Datsun is already prepping a facelift for the Datsun redi-GO despite the model being on the market for under a year. It is reported to arrive in the next couple of months, so expect a launch in June, making it one year since the redi-GO went on sale.

Details on the cosmetic changes are scarce, but we reckon that it will be minor focusing on improving the overall look and appeal through body fitments, new wheel caps and colour options. It could also source some of the features introduced in the redi-GO Sport (launched in September), such as remote central locking, rear parking sensors, and bluetooth connectivity.

Another highly cited upgrade is the inclusion of a 1L engine option in the redi-GO sourced from the Renault Kwid, which is inline with a report from earlier this year. In the Kwid, the 999 cc 3-cyl petrol engine produces 68 PS at 5,500 rpm and 91 Nm of torque at 4,250 rpm. For the redi-GO 1L, Datsun is reported to offer a 5-speed manual, while the Easy-R 5-speed automated manual transmission could be in the cards. Fuel efficiency could be similar to the Kwid AMT's 24.04 km/L (ARAI test), which will make it on one of the most fuel efficient petrol automatic cars in India.

Datsun will continue to rely on the redi-GO's pricing to lure customers away from the competition which includes the Maruti Alto, Hyundai Eon and it's own cousin - the Renault Kwid. With the facelift and new engine options, Datsun is hoping to increase sales figure which, thus far, hasn't managed to surpass expectations like the Renault Kwid did.

On average, Datsun sold 2,351 units between October 2016 and March 2017, which is nowhere even close to the Kwid's average figure of 8,885, despite the two cars sharing the CMF-A platform and coming out of the same factory.