Nissan India Bets Big On Magnite, Plans To Sell 1500 – 2000 Units Per Month

Nissan Motor has had a jittery ride in India as the brand’s sales momentum has dipped almost 60% over the last five years with the sole production plant operating ways below the capacity. In a bid to revive its massive sales slump, Nissan India is set to foray into the subcompact SUV segment with the all-new Nissan Magnite. The Magnite has had its online global debut recently, while its market launch will take place either by late 2020 or early 2021. With aggressive pricing on Magnite's side, Nissan is planning to sell 1,500 – 2,000 units of the compact SUV on a monthly basis.

Originally built as a Datsun model, the Nissan Magnite retains almost all of its design cues from the concept car including a crossover-like silhouette, sculpted bonnet, flared wheel arches, and raked A and C-pillars. The headlamps of the car look quite similar to that of the Nissan Kicks while the massive octagonal grille and boomerang-shaped DRLs look much like the Datsun. Chrome is generously used on the grille and bumper, combined with the rugged skid plates that enhance the car’s sporty appeal.

Some other styling highlights of the Nissan Magnite include chrome door handles, blacked-out A-pillars, contrast roof, cladding on wheel arches, LED taillights along with brushed silver treatment for the rear bumper. The information about the interior of the Magnite is still unknown but if the rumours are to be believed, it will come up with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with connected car tech, a 360-degree camera view, cruise control and even an electric sunroof.

On the mechanical front, the all-new Nissan Magnite will have a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine apart from a powerful 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol motor as options. The former will be tuned to develop 72 BHP of max power while the latter will develop about 95 BHP. Both manual and automatic transmission will be offered on the Magnite.

The naturally aspirated motor will be available with either a 5-speed MT or a 5-speed AMT option while the turbocharged engine will come mated to a 5-speed MT and a CVT automatic unit.

In terms of pricing, the upcoming Nissan Magnite will start around the Rs 5.25 Lakh mark (estimated, ex-showroom), making it the most affordable Nissan SUV in India. The Nissan Magnite will rival the likes of Hyundai Venue, Maruti Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon, etc. in the compact SUV segment.