DATSUN REDI-GO 1.0 AMT
Datsun’s entry level car now gets the option of an automatic and we get behind the wheel to see how good it is
WWE KNEW THIS WAS AROUND the corner. The Datsun Redi-Go is based on the same platform as the Renault Kwid and gets the same drivetrain. So when Renault announced the Kwid AMT, it was only a matter of time before the Redi-Go followed suit. The biggest change from the manual? The gearbox, duh. This variant swaps out the manual transmission for a five-speed automated manual transmission — the same unit used in the Kwid. But unlike the Kwid which gets a knob on the dash, this gets a more traditional lever sticking out of the floor. Also, this gets the option of manual override, something that the Kwid misses out on because of the rotary controller. Now instead of a tachometer, the tiny digital display nestled in the Redi-Go’s instrument cluster has a gear position indicator in its place. The only other change includes the addition of Bluetooth connectivity to the entertainment system.
The engine is the same — a three-pot, 1-litre petrol that puts out 67bhp and 91Nm. These figures are just about adequate on paper, but considering how light the Redi-Go is, it feels sprightly. But what matters here is the ‘box. It is an AMT so you do get that head-toss motion every time it shifts up, something that is inherent to these units. However, it is noticeably less in the Redi-Go than its rivals. That said, the box seems to be set up for efficiency rather than peppiness. It sticks to the highest possible gear to keep efficiency up. This can get a bit unnerving especially under braking because the brakes lack feel, and there is no engine braking while slowing down. On most cars, a firm shove to
the accelerator pedal results in a downshift, but unless you really floor it in the Redi-Go, you’re going to be picking up speed in the same gear. Nevertheless, put the pedal to the metal in fifth, and it will quickly drop to third and accelerate, making a fair racket while doing so. However you do have the option of manually overriding the gearbox and while there is a bit of lag when you call for a shift, if you plan your overtakes well it does give you a fair bit of additional control.
This is not a car that likes to be hustled. It is most comfortable when it’s being fed part throttle, allowing it to shift comfortably at low revs without straining the engine. Most RediGos will be driven exactly in this manner while pottering around the city and for what it’s worth, it does that well. At this price point, you cannot expect an expensive torque convertor and the AMT will have to suffice. We didn’t get a chance to test how the automatic affects fuel economy, but going by experience with such gearboxes it should be no different to the manual which is a claimed (and very high) 22.5kmpl.
With over 98 per cent localisation on the Redi-Go, the AMT is priced at just `3.95 lakh and even undercuts the already affordable Kwid by a fair margin. In fact, the top of the line S variant saves you more than `50,000 over the Kwid and a whopping `1.10 lakh over the Celerio. As Datsun has been marketing it as a car that aims to bring mobility to the masses, it has appeal particularly thanks to its styling.
The box seems to be set up for efficiency RATHER than peppiness. It STICKS TO THE HIGHEST possible gear to KEEP efficiency UP