DATSUN GO Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

In 2013, Nissan revived its Datsun nameplate as a budget-brand, and its first product was the GO, which was facelifted in 2018.

On some markets, customers just wanted a simple vehicle to climb inside and go, and one of the major purchasing decisions is the price. Nissan made the GO for those customers and badged it as a Datsun. While the original model was stripped from most safety systems, it didn't even feature an ABS. The refreshed version returned with more than that.

Just by looking at the car, some would recognize the car's overall shape, and it wouldn't be wrong. It was built on the same platform as the 2010 Nissan Micra (K13). The carmaker did more than just trade the Nissan badge with a Datsun and changed most of the body panels. At the front, the car featured angular-shaped headlights, swept-back toward the A-pillars. A big hexagonal grille with a chromed surrounding made the car's front more visible. The bumper featured daytime running lights on the side scoops, while the reversed trapezoidal grille tried to make the car look sportier. In the back, the taillights featured an angular design as well. Most importantly, Nissan introduced a rear windscreen wiper.

Inside, the 2018 Datsun GO featured a sculptured-shaped dash-panel with a v-shaped theme for the frontal area. Nissan installed an Android Auto infotainment system (available as an option). The car featured power-windows and mirrors, air-conditioning, and dual airbags. Datsun installed two seats at the front instead of the previously used bench and placed the jack under the driver's seat. The rear bench featured a one-piece folding seatback.

Under the hood, Nissan installed a 1.2-liter, inline-three engine as the only option. The standard transmission was a five-speed manual and an option for a CVT.

The Japanese Datsun brand was brought back to life after Renault-Nissan Alliance decided to create a new, more affordable sub-brand.

In India, Datsun already had brand awareness, so Renault-Nissan had to find a solution to make it live again. For that, they took the older generation of the Nissan Micra, installed older Renault engines underneath its hood, and then gave it an identity. Moreover, they already had the parts and stamps to make the bodywork, and, in addition, the car's development costs were already covered.

It's hard not to see that behind that bold grille was a Nissan Micra K13 (fourth generation) that was launched in Europe in 2009. But since the design trends had already moved away from the bio-design era to the new-edge styling, the Go got sharper-looking headlights. Moreover, since the bumper and the front fascia were molded into one piece, it meant that the lower side could have been changed to look more aggressively. On its sides, the carmaker added a few plastic parts over the rear doors, thus concealing the rounded lines of the C-pillars. Finally, the taillights got a slightly different design but the same base, so they could fit in the same place as those from the original Micra.

Inside, the Go received a new dashboard with an opened storage area in front of the side passenger. The carmaker didn't offer top-quality materials, but they were fine for the Go's price range. In addition, the door panels sport pockets wide enough to keep water bottles. Strangely, though, the power windows that were offered as an option got a separate panel mounted in a free-floating position.

Under the hood, Renault gave its 1.2-liter gasoline engines that were already developed for the European market and available on a few small-sized vehicles.