India-made Datsun GO launched in South Africa for Rs 4.96 lakh

Datsun is all set to re-launch itself in South Africa. The brand is ready hit the local market on October 20, more than 30 years after pulling out of the global markets in 1981. Nissan, as we know, is behind the revival of the Datsun brand in certain budget markets, including India.  

Like the Indian market, Datsun will commence sales in South Africa with the India-made GO hatchback. The car will be available in two variants with prices starting at 89,500 Rand (Rs 4.96 lakh) for the Mid variant and the Lux variant which costs 99,500 Rand (Rs 5.50 lakh). 

Designed and built in India, the GO is based on the same platform that also underpins the Nissan Micra. The hatchback promises a lot in terms of space. It, in fact, has the longest wheelbase in its class and the 265-litres boot space is reasonable too. Powering the car is a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine which develops 67bhp of power at 5,000rpm and 104Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. It is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox which sends power to the front wheels. 

Alarmingly, even the South Africa-bound models will not be fitted with safety features such as ABS and airbags. These features are not fitted to the India-spec models either. Datsun plans to sell the GO via its dealership network which currently stands at 44, however, the brand aims to add 16 more dealerships by March 2015.