Nissan Kicks compact SUV India launch to take place in 2018 – Based on Duster platform

In an interview earlier, Guillaume Sicard, President, Nissan India, revealed that SUVs and crossover will be the focus moving forward. The company is reported to launch three crossovers in the next three years. Arguably the most significant product in the pipeline is the Nissan Kicks compact crossover which codenamed PB1D.

Now, senior management from Nissan has confirmed that they will launch the Kicks compact SUV by 2018. For India, the Kicks will be based on the B0 platform on which the Duster, Captur and the Terrano are also based. Engine options are also expected ot be same. Brazilian version of the crossover has already been launched. The Hyundai Creta, Renault Duster rival is set to be launched here by Q3 2018.

 The Kicks will make its global sales debut in Brazil later this year.

The Kicks is the first product to be based on the Renault-Nissan CMF-B (Common Module Family) platform. Heavy localization and attractive market positioning can be expected. For India, we will not get the CMF-B platform, but the B0 platform to keep the price affordable for a price sensitive market like ours.

While the Latin American Kicks adopts a range of flex fuel engines, the model destined for the sub-continent is likely to receive the time proven 1.5-litre K9k diesel engine sourced from Renault. On board the Terrano, this motor is available in 85 PS and 110 PS tunes. A petrol engine will also be on offer.

 The new crossover will aim to do what the Terrano couldn’t in the Indian market.

The exterior styling follows the concept’s design cues. The interior features a fresh design with a multi-layered dual-tone dashboard, contoured leather seats and plush door trims. A touchscreen 7-inch infotainment system with around view monitor, digi-analog instrument console, and a multifunction flat-bottomed steering wheel are the other key highlights.

The Hyundai Creta rival measures 4,295 mm in length, 1,760 mm in width and 1,590 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,610 mm. The crossover has a seating capacity of 5 passengers. As far positioning is concerned, the Nissan Kicks is likely to be a more styling alternative to the Terrano. We think it will be sensible to discontinue Terrano to make more space for the Kicks in the market.