By: IOL Motoring Staff
Delhi, India - This is a big part of the reason why Nissan revived the Datsun brand, and a look into its possible future - a funky little crossover concept called Redi-Go, making its world debut at the Delhi Auto Expo.
The name reflects the car's character; it's ready to challenge the way we do things and it's 'ready to go' on the day's journey.
Datsun creative head Shiro Nakamura said at the show: The Redi-Go Concept is just that - a concept - but it shows the way we are thinking; it's ambitious, but it's logical, too, previewing a potential small crossover for the Indian market."
It's built on a 2350mm wheelbase with short overhangs and crossover-style raised suspension; wraparound headlight clusters incorporate distinctive, narrow daytime running lights, with a deep trapezoidal grille that's going to be the signature styling cue on all Datsuns.
ROBUST PROFILE
A strong shoulder line and dual character lines rising from front to rear create a robust profile and lead into LED tail lights me with an unusual 'twist of light' for a distinct visual signature.
The concept is finished in a striking lime green, which to Indian eyes conveys freshness, contrasting with a matte aluminium-look finish on the sills, bumper inserts and wheel-arch trims, framing dark-chromed 15" alloys. The roof is matte black with a tessellated pattern that's intended to lead the eye in a continuous sweep from windshield to spoiler.
PRACTICALLY SPEAKING
The raised body and large wheel arches offer extra ground clearance to deal with India's notoriously unkempt roads, while the 'higher than a hatchback' driving position provides a better - and therefore safer - view over the traffic ahead.
Datsun hasn't released any shots of the interior or mechanical details, which leads us to think that this really is a three-dimensional concept sketch - but it's not a fantasy.
Global Datsun boss Vincent Cobee said: "If we were to make a car like this it would create its own segment in the Indian market, as an aspirational car that would still be within reach of the first-time buyer."
Meanwhile, production Datsun models, starting with the Go hatch, will be released in India, Indonesia, Russia and South Africa from 2014.