Datsun first official sketch
Datsun is back and its first value for money model will be revealed later this month
Back in 2012, Auto Express announced Nissan’s budget brand Datsun was making a return, and now official sketches of a new model have been revealed. Using the same 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine and suspension components as the Nissan supermini, the chiselled new hatchback is believed to be based on a unique platform that's actually smaller than the Micra.
Designed for emerging markets such as India, Russia and Indonesia and South Africa, the Datsun lineup will kick off with this five-door hatchback, although more value-for money models are expected to follow.
Unfortunately, a spokesman for Nissan UK said there is no possibility of Datsun coming to Europe; the Renault-Nissan alliance means that Datsun would simply cannabalise sales from Dacia.
The Datsun brand, which was phased out in 1981, was famed for models such as the 240Z and Silvia. The new Datsun range will go on sale in early 2014 and is estimated to cost the equivalent of around £3,300.
