New Go packs a lot into a little package
LOCAL LAUNCH
Datsun’s new-generation Go sells great value for money, low running costs backed by scoring number 1 in the annual Kinsey parts basket 2015-16 report, along with minimal emissions and low fuel consumption.
What will also be clear before even giving it a whirl is the compact size and exterior design, which now boasts up-to-date, youth-baiting styling cues. The Datsun Go is offered with an inventory of stickers, bright colours, prominent daytime driving lights and, optionally, a huge tailgate spoiler.
It’s also easy to like its interior design, surfaces and connectivity tech, the latter being the now de rigueur Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The car we spent all day driving at the media launch in Gauteng featured powered windows all round, air conditioning that successfully withstood the heatwave, an entertainment system operated from a sizeable screen, a USB port, central locking that isn’t remotely activated, reverse sensors and a fair amount of small storage space for loose items.
There are two body styles: a five-door, four-seat hatchback and a five-door seven-seater Go+ model. If you run a cargo carrier business, there is also a panel van version of the Go+. However, the segment in which Go hatch competes is choc-abloc
It ’with s exclusively alternatives, available including with one from its alliance group in the form of Renault’s Kwid. a five-speed manual gearbox.
My first stint behind the wheel of the latest Datsun credited with some 25,000-odd sales since local debut convinced me to place anything it competes against on the back burner for now.
It’s easy to assume that the measure of its drive quality is largely the same as anything else in its niche. You’d be wrong. Surprisingly, it drives a lot better than the Renault Kwid, despite having about the same price.
It’s not a quick car, but I gather its customers don’t expect it to be. The urge from a three-cylinder 1.2l engine that pumps out 50kW and 103Nm is ample for painless city driving. Though I was sceptical at first, the car proved itself not entirely bad for longer trips during the drive between Soweto and Pretoria. There is no real struggle to maintain highway speeds.
The impressive pliancy of its suspension is notable. On the go, it exhibits good composure on smooth or imperfect surfaces, happily buzzing away on open roads without protest or much wind and road noise entering the cabin.
Grow some horns and launch it at some bendy road sections and an unremarkable but safe understeer-led reaction happens. This is easily cured by backing off the throttle.
Datsun pitches the Go as more aspirational than its Renault Kwid twin and thus the Go now features wider rubber, dual airbags and ABS brakes.
A Datsun Go does not have horrendous fuel-eating habits. The digital fuel consumption of the car I drove at the launch returned about 5.5l/100km, 0.3 more than the official company claim. It’s not an expensive car to run. Add Kinsey’s survey results and servicing shouldn’t be a burden.
It’s not a bad-looking car and although it has a slightly odd, pinched-nose front end, it’s not unattractive elsewhere. Datsun Go Mid Spec: R144,500 Datsun Go Lux Spec: R165,500 Datsun Go+ seven-seater Mid: R154,200 Datsun Go+ seven-seater Lux: R175,900 Datsun Go+ Panel Van: R155,200
Datsun Go and Go+ models come standard with a threeyear/100,000km warranty and an optional service plan. Buyers receive one year of insurance.