The Datsun GO, the first offering bearing the redesigned and modernised Datsun brand to take to Africas roads since the early 1980s, not only marks the return of one of South Africas favourite brand to the country, but also the manufacturers entry into the hotly-contested entry level segment of the market. The Datsun GO will spearhead the re-entry of the brand that became a legend in the 60s, 70s, - becoming market leader between 1976 and 1978 - and 80s when the Datsun name was associated with vehicles that offered quality and reliability at an affordable price for their owners. “At an entry price of just R89 500 for the Mid Model and R99 500 for the Lux Model the Datsun GO will be a choice for younger, first time buyers or people looking for a vehicle that could be used as a comfortable, stylish and fuel efficient urban runabout,” says Des Fenner, General Manager of Datsun South Africa. The Datsun GO will be available through 44 dealerships across the country, with the aim of increasing this to 60 by the end of March 2015. Datsun dealerships will exist within the Nissan dealer framework with a mix of dedicated and common showroom configurations. The five- speed manual Datsun GO- weighs in at 1 152 kgs. It is powered by a DOHC 12-valve, three cylinder, fuel injected petrol engine with a displacement of 1 198 cm3. Maximum power of 50 kW is delivered at 5 000 r/min, Torque is a respectable 104 Nm produced at 4 000 r/min, Fuel economy is 5,2 l/100 km in a combined urban and rural cycle. Stopping power is delivered through a disc/drum combination, with ventilated disc brakes providing braking upfront and drums brakes at the rear. The suspension comprises Macpherson struts with double pivot lower arm and torsion beam at the rear. The vehicle is shod with 155/70R13 tyres. Large fully integrated three dimensional headlight assemblies flank the streamlined bonnet. They also accentuate the starting point for strong shoulder lines which run from the front wings to midway through the rear door. Here they meet a bold flick which curves towards the tailgate above the rear light assemblies. The side window outline features stylised brackets at either end, establishing a distinctive styling cue. With the wheelbase of 2 450 mm, Datsun GO is 3 785 mm from bumper to bumper, being 1,485 mm tall and 1635 mm wide. With its tall body, wide stance and class-leading ground clearance of 170 mm, the car is very stable on the road and handles challenging road surfaces with aplomb. One of the advantages of the cars height is that it has a commanding driving position. The driver therefore has a better view of the road and surroundings than is available in other entry-level cars, which tend to be considerably lower. The cockpit ahead of the driver and front passenger is split into three distinct zones and features leather feel grain patterns and three contrasting colours to add an air of sophistication. The drivers control is through a comfortable, chunky three- spoke steering wheel ahead of the simple but effective single instrument cluster. Sporting distinctive white and blue colouring for the large speedometer, the combination meter also incorporates a Smart Meter comprising a digital tachometer and Gear Shift guide and Drive Computer. The Gear Shift Guide, marked on the speedometer, shows the recommended timing for each gear change according to the vehicle speed- a handy aide for first time drivers and when the present price of fuel is considered. The centre section of the dashboard houses two Silver Accentuated ringed air vents - there are four in all, with one at either end of the instrument panel as well. All vents allow adjusting the air flow in all directions and may be closed if necessary. Uniquely in the class, the gear lever and parking brake handle are mounted in the centre console. As well as being ergonomically more efficient and useful for first time drivers, by removing these controls from the floor of the car, the traditional hump of a transmission tunnel is not obvious on the floor. This means passengers can pass much more easily from one side of the cabin to the other - useful if the car is parked in such a way that access is only possible through one door. The final element of the dashboard, the area ahead of the passenger, is a soft touch panel beneath which lies a large open storage area. With other storage zones in the dash and door pockets capable of holding 1.5 litre bottles the interior is practical - total oddment storage volume is 9.4 litres - as well as stylish. Thanks to its overall dimensions, Datsun GO has the longest effective cabin in the class, making it a leader when it comes to interior space. Leg, knee and shoulder room is at or near best in class while the headroom is better than the competitors. At 265 litres the luggage volume is also best in the class. The vehicle is fully carpeted throughout, and features fabric seats. Safety features include effective ventilated front disc brakes for shorter stopping distances and best in class lighting performance. Datsun GO features an Intelligent Wiping System (IWS). As well as a continuous wiper setting, there is an intermittent setting. But rather than having a set delay between sweeps of the blade, IWS varies the wiping interval depending on the speed of the vehicle. Reflecting the huge growth in smartphone ownership, Datsun has equipped Datsun GO with a system that does much more than a simple audio system can manage. The car comes with a unique Mobile Docking Station (MDS) that allows an owner to sync his or her smartphone directly with the car. Instead of being restricted to a radio and, perhaps, a CD player, the new Datsun owner has access to satellite navigation, hands-free telephone, USB charger, music player and radio all accessed via the smartphone. A 3-year 100 000km warranty with roadside assistance comes as standard, and owners can choose a range of service and maintenance plans to suit their needs. #Datsun @nissanza
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 05:44:51 +0000
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