After several unveilings, invitations and press releases, the Datsun Go has finally been released in South Africa. Its importance for Datsun – as a new brand – and obviously for Nissan as a sub brand is very important indeed.
Go was the name of the very first Datsun model and the moniker proudly adorns the debut offering of the resurrected band. The Go has just been launched in South Africa and like its forebearer, the new Go is very well priced – it costs less than R100 000.
This five-door hatchback design was favoured for the South African market as this body shape is already popular here and offers added versatility. On the nose you’ll find a new Datsun badge: a blue background encircled by a silver bezel. The Go’s radiator grille is surrounded by a hexagonal frame that will be a familial trait on all new Datsun models.
The Go also casts a very small footprint, measuring 3 785 mm in length, 1 635 mm in width, 1 485 mm in height and its wheelbase is 2 450 mm long. Suspension layout is traditional with MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam arrangement utilised at the rear. The suspension features long-travel springs to aid passenger comfort.
As the Go is aimed primarily at the younger market, its audio set-up is a plug-and-play design that enables occupants to access music via a docking system that has been developed to accept modern mobile phones and portable music storage devices.
Pricing:
Mid (A model) R89 500
Lux (T model) R99 500
*Specifications
Model: Datsun Go
Bodystyle: Five-door hatchback
Engine: 1 198 cm3, inline three
Power: 51 kW @ 5 000 r/min
Torque: 104 N.m @ 4 000 r/min
Transmission: Five-speed manual
0-100 km/h: 13,5 seconds
Fuel consumption: 5,0-litres/100 km
Tank size: 35 litres
*According to Datsun