14 Jan 2015 Datsun has launched Go+ in Indian market in shockingly low price range of Rs 3.79 – 4.61 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The fact that Datsun claims this MPV to a genuine people mover makes this price point even more astonishing in nature. The length of Go+ wraps up within 4 meters; making it eligible for excise exemption and this has been instrumental behind ultra-low pricing of MPV. Go+ is second proposition of Datsun for Indian market after Go hatchback and company is hoping to carve a place in fledgling MPV category of Indian market with this compact people mover. Car has similar external and internal appearance as we have already witnessed on Go hatchback. Interior space is classified into 3 rows of seats though space has been restricted in its nature. Vehicle is powered by 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine and though it lacks the outright punch of rivals, the fuel-efficiency of 20.6 km/l of the motor is quite credulous. There is no diesel engine for now though expect the Nissan to slip in oil-burner under Go+ hood at time of its facelift. Transmission option includes 5-speed manual gearbox that sends power to front wheels of the car. The equipment list is skimpy on MPV as the variants; even the top-trim is poorly equipped on all fronts of comfort, convenience, luxury and safety. Datsun poor show on safety NCAP test seems to have no effect on senses of company as Go+, like Go, comes with almost nil preparation on security front.
‘Compact’ is the new segment of vehicles that is drawing the attention of more and more buyers in India. It may be compact sedans or compact SUVs the options are aplenty. To cater to the needs of Indian families and extended families that often like to travel together Datsun has created the new iteration of GO in the form of a compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). It is called GO+.
If we just look at the seating capacity and price segment, Maruti Eeco is a competitor of GO+. But the latter is less boxy and feels more like an estate than an MPV. The brochure that markets the GO+ says that it has an "extended, squared off, estate car-like styling."
Like the GO, the GO+ is powered by 1.2 litre petrol engine that generates 67 bhp @ 5000 rpm and 104 Nm torque at 4000 rpm.
The design is nothing to write home about but it simplicity makes it inoffensive for the mass market. When seen from the front, the GO+ is a complete semblance of its sibling hatchback GO. It has the same black D-cut grille with honeycomb pattern and chrome outline. The stretched back headlamps have silver accents and indicator housing. Fog lamps are not available even on the top-end trim.
The bonnet has creases on its sides and it feels firm. The windscreen is large to provide a good view to the driver. It gets only one double-armed wiper but the unit has good reach to clean the surface area. A single washer nozzle is also provided and it can eject three water spouts. The roof of GO+ is ribbed for rigidity. Lining of roof with the windscreen and with the door panels lacks rubber beading.
It is from the side that the estate-like look of GO+ gets apparent. It evolves from a small car and cannot be compared to likes of Innova in terms of size. The length measures 3995 mm which is comparable to compact SUVs. The width (1635 mm), wheelbase (2450 mm) and the ground clearance (170 mm) are same as that of GO. For its height the GO+ is 5 mm taller than the hatchback.
Datsun’s compact MPV has big wheel well gaps and these become more noticeable because of the small, 13 inch wheels with 155/70 R13 tyres. Also, for cost cutting the wheel wells do not have any cladding. Furthermore, the outside rear view mirrors (ORVMs) are in black and not body colour. Like the GO, the GO+ has flap-design door handles and the keyhole is only on the driver’s door. The B + C pillars are blackened and part of the rear quarter glass is also black.
A change at the rear is in the form of number plate positioning. While the number plate sits on the bumper of GO, it has been moved up on the tailgate for the GO+. This was probably a cosmetic necessity to conceal the visual bulk of bigger tailgate area. But then the bumper looks large here.
Tail lamps are also shared with the GO. There is a single reversing light on the left. Apart from the Datsun logo above the number plate, the only other badging is the name of the car: GO+. Just like other Datsun models, there is no variant specification.
To open the light tailgate there is a slot provided for finger grip. A couple of number plate lights are also provided here. The boot can be unlocked only through the driver’s side boot release button. Spare wheel is locked beneath the boot. On the whole, the rear looks well planned and the GO+ is nicely proportioned for a compact MUV.
Stepping inside is easy but you will find the GO+’s cabin somewhat small. It may be an MPV but is based on the GO hatchback and has similar interior. Design of the dashboard polarises opinions – some will be impressed and others may find it weird. The quality of plastics is fine by segment standards. Although the roof lining material is also smooth, it feels flimsy on touching – there is a lot of crunching and crinkling.
The three spoke steering wheel with thumb contours is another pick from the GO. Instrument console is basic with a speedometer dial and digital tachometer. The latter is actually a part of the multi-information display (MID) that also comprises trip meter, odometer, distance to empty and real time fuel economy information. The GO+ also gets the ‘Follow me Home’ functionality. This is activated using the headlamp flasher. It illuminates your path for 30 to 120 seconds depending on the number of times the stalk is pulled (1 to 4 pulls).
Front seats of this compact MPV are adequately comfortable despite very thin cushioning. But if you push yourself a little harder back into the seat you may feel the metal skeleton.
To maximize the utility of space the front space are joined to each other. Datsun call it ‘Connect Seats’. The driver’s seat has conventional design and it the passenger’s seat that has been extended. While this ‘extra space’ is not really for a third passenger to sit and there is no seat belt, Datsun says that it can be used to keep small things. In India where MPVs are typically bought for commercial transport services and family trips, the spot may be used as a seat for a small child.
Legroom on the front seats is good. The shoulder room and headroom also draw no complaints. The roofline is higher towards the front seat side. The driving position is similar to what you get in GO. With a large windshield the view upfront is good but the rearward visibility is restricted by the thick C pillars. The rear windscreen is also small and is positioned upward obstructing visibility. You will have to use the large ORVMs and they too need to be adjusted after rolling down the glass as there are no stalks provided. The internal rear view mirror (IRVM) is small and does not have day/night function.
For storage the front doors have pockets that can hold 1 litre bottles. A deep glovebox is provided but it does not have a lid. The AC provision comes with silver accentuated round vents as in the GO. This unit is effective. There are no separate vents for rear seat occupants.
The music system in the GO+ is again shared with the GO. It includes a mobile phone docking station, USB and Aux port. There are two speakers – one each on the front door. A 12V socket is also provided.
The second row has a bench seat and the legroom here too is adequate. Even with the front seat pushed back, you will not feel shirt on space. Under-thigh support is also satisfactory. But considering the width of the car the seat is better for two people than three sitting aside. A child can fit well along with two adults. There are no cubby holes to keep knick-knacks in this part of the cabin. Because of the joined front seats AC air flow is restricted to some extent for the rear seat passengers. They need to be adjusted a little higher for better circulation. The windows in this part of the cabin need to be manually operated.
To get into the third row of seats one must drop the backrest or flip the entire second row and the second option is better although both have their pros and cons. On reaching the area an adult occupant needs to really crouch and bend to be on the seat. Thigh support is negligible and the head touches the roof line. This place is suitable only for children or to keep bags. In fact you will need to put luggage here because with all the seats in upright position the storage space in ‘boot’ section is just 48 litres.
On flipping down the backrest of the third row, you can have 347 litres of stowage area. And the second row seat can also be pushed down to create even more space for luggage.
Datsun GO+ comes in five bright colours: Blue, Gold, White, Silver and Grey. It is priced between Rs. 3.84 lakhs and 4.97 lakhs. Designed as a budget MPV it can be considered by families who need a more utilitarian cabin than what hatchbacks have. If not ‘7 people’, it can carry at least 5 and children or luggage bags.