Nissan India releases sketch of Datsun K2 hatchback

We're exactly two weeks away from the official unveil of the Datsun K2 low cost small car. In the run up to the unveil, Nissan India has just released an official sketch of the upcoming Datsun small car for the Indian car market. The Datsun K2 is said to use various components from the Nissan Micra parts bin, including the 1.2 liter-3 cylinder petrol engine. 

The car will be a petrol-only model and will be positioned under the Nissan Micra, in the 3-4 lakh rupee segment, as a cut price alternative to the likes of the Hyundai i10 and the Maruti A-Star. Said to be lighter and faster than the Micra, the Datsun K2 will come with a lower level of kit than the Micra to ensure cost competitiveness and clear demarcation. 

While previous rumours suggested that the Datsun K2 would be based on the earlier generation K11 Micra platform, recent word emerging on AutocarIndia claims that only specific parts from Nissan's parts bin were used for the Datsun K2 project. The report goes on to add that the older K11 platform proved to be too small for the modern day Datsun, which is said to be as big as the current Micra. 

Another key innovation on the Datsun K2, as reported by ZigWheels, could be a bench-type front seat that can accommodate 3 adults instead of the regular two in case of captain seats. The gear lever could move to the dashboard, a-la-Hyundai i10, to liberate ample space. Notably, the Mahindra S101 micro SUV is said to be taking the 6 seater route through this approach. Will we see Datsun taking the 6 seat approach with the K2? We'll have to wait for the 15th for possible answers. 

Retired between 1982-84, the Datsun name plate will make a resurgence in 2014, 3 decades after the brand was discontinued by Nissan. The first Datsun small cars will go on sale in three main countries: India, Indonesia and Russia. These countries will be production hubs for the Datsun range of low cost cars. South Africa will join the Datsun trio in late 2014. 

All Datsun car models produced in the aforementioned countries will be heavily localized to keep the initial purchase cost and the long term ownership costs minimal. Eventually, Datsun cars are expected to be sold across the globe, in various emerging car markets. India could serve as an export hub for Datsun cars, as the country does currently for Nissan. 

However, the developed world will not get Datsun cars as crash test results for these low cost cars might not stand up to stringent regulator scrutiny of the developed world. In India, Datsun cars will be built at the Renault-Nissan joint manufacturing facility at Oragadam, off Chennai. Retail sales and service will happen through Nissan's pan-India showroom and service center network. 

2014 will see yet another Datsun small car being launched in India, code named the i2. The Datsun i2, targeted at big volumes, will sit in the 2-3 lakh rupee segment, rubbing shoulders with the likes of the Maruti Alto 800 and the Hyundai Eon. Datsun's third product for India, a low cost MPV, is expected to arrive in 2015, as per an IndianCarsBikes report.