► Budget city car crossover concept
► Displayed at 2015 Tokyo show
► A partner for Renault’s Kwid?
Nissan sub-brand Datsun will reveal the rest of this dinky crossover concept in full at the upcoming 2015 Tokyo motor show.
The high-riding city car concept’s name is yet to be announced, but this official picture confirms that it will definitely feature headlights. Bold, on-trend light graphics above high-set spotlight saucers (shades of Nissan Juke, anyone?) flank a hexagonal grille and typical faux-by-four plastic wheelarch extensions.
Hang on. I thought the Datsun name was dead and buried?
Formerly the name Nissan cars were exported under, the Datsun brand was retired in the mid-1980s but made a return in 2012. Still a part of the Nissan empire, it’s been relaunched as a budget brand for markets including India, Russia and Indonesia. Think of its role to Nissan as Dacia is to Renault.
Datsun currently offers a series of ultra-basic five-door superminis called the Mi-Do and the Go, along with a longer Go+ estate variant. This new concept, more a production car preview than a design study flight of fancy, almost certainly heralds the addition of a taller crossover model to the range.
Click here to read more about the Datsun Go.
Datsun’s 2015 crossover concept
Expect oily bits and switchgear borrowed from various parts bins in the Renault-Nissan alliance, with more than a few similarities to the new Renault Kwid likely. Read more about the Renault Kwid, a budget compact crossover for the Indian market, here.
The new Datsun model is expected to be aimed at the brand’s re-established markets outside of Europe and the US for now.
Click here for CAR’s A-Z of the most important new cars at Tokyo 2015.