Nissan Kicks Compact SUV preparing to launch in India

Like most of the global auto majors, Japanese car maker Nissan is also focusing to increase its presence in the highly potential and vast Indian auto market. As per the recent reports, apart from the other new models in the pipeline for India, Nissan is also currently busy working on a new product for this market. Reports say that the Japanese auto major is readying its new Kicks compact SUV model for the Indian market which is expected to be introduced to the country soon. The cut-throat Indian compact SUV market is constantly growing and Nissan is preparing its new warrior to fight it out in this tough ground in our shores.

The Nissan Kicks compact SUV had its global premiere last year. For the India-spec model, Nissan will be basing the Kicks compact SUV on the same platform that also underpins the Renault Duster and the Nissan Terrano compact SUV models. The Renault-Nissan Alliance share platform, car components and powertrains in order to save production cost. This results in competitive pricing for the respective offerings from the house of Renault and Nissan.

The upcoming Nissan Kicks compact SUV will be a more premium product that the Terrano and the Renault Duster. It will be Nissan’s equivalent product to the upcoming Renault Kaptur that is also underpinned by the same platform and these two cousin models will be fighting with each other in India. The Japanese car maker has not yet revealed the technical specs of its new India-spec Kicks, but it is expected that it will be sharing its powertrains with the upcoming Kaptur.

Thus, the Kicks is expected to be equipped by a 1.5 litre diesel motor or a 1.6 litre mill that is motor developed for the Renault Kaptur. Nissan is also thought to be offering the 1.5 litre petrol engine choice on the Kicks, which was recently introduced under the hood of the Duster along with a CVT gearbox.

When looks are concerned, the Nissan Kicks is endowed with a contemporary and trendy styling which flaunts dual-tone exterior body colour scheme and floating roof design. The compact SUV’s cabin will also be up-class and will be rich with premium features. It will get a sporty flat-bottom steering wheel, dual-tone dashboard design, and touchscreen integrated infotainment system among much more.

Earlier it was speculated that the Nissan Kicks will make its Indian debut at the 2018 Auto Expo, but now it has come to light that Nissan will not be participating in the biannual Indian auto show. The Kicks is expected to hit the car market of India sometime in 2018.

The Nissan Kicks will be a premium product in the highly popular Indian compact SUV segment and will be facing tough competition from existing and upcoming models. It is likely to have a price range of around Rs. 15 lakhs – Rs. 20 lakhs. In the Indian market, the new Kicks will be pitched against the likes of the popular Hyundai Creta, its own French cousin - the upcoming Renault Kaptur and the highly awaited Jeep Renegade.