Fast forward to 2014, Datsun releases the GO and notably so the car manufacture has grown progressively to currently having a 27% market share in South Africa. It is evident that Datsun’s numbers show that consumers in South Africa are responding positively to the car brand. This could also be due to Datsun having cheaper replacement parts making it more affordable to maintain the car over a long period.

CVT stands for Continuously Variable Transmission, this transmission changes gears seamlessly without noticeable change trying to find the most optimal gear for the most efficiency. This technology has been put to good use in the Datsun GO CVT as it is responsible for the noticeable change in reducing fuel consumption. With that said Datsun claim that the Datsun Go CVT has a fuel economy of 5.0l/100km. The 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine producing 57kW and 104Nm of torque. Compared to the Manual transmission the CVT produces more power and is more efficient when it comes to petrol consumption.

The overall drive of the Datsun Go CVT is very smooth and makes navigating through the hustle and bustle of the city and traffic a breeze. The transmission in this model Is not my favourite but after modifying the way I accelerated there was a positive change with my overall drive. I found that on the highway it did lag a bit with higher speeds but in urban and city area’s this little car does a pretty good job.

The Datsun Go CVT comes with dual airbags, a 7” touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, daytime running lights, ABS and rear parking sensors, USB port and both front and rear electric windows. With all of these features the Datsun Go CVT is priced at R184 200 and comes with a 6-year/150 000km warranty and not forgetting that Datsun will be subsidizing your insurance for a year.

Words by Tshego Mmahlatji

That’s just my imagination running wild when Datsun SA told us they’ve teamed up with Finns Vesa Eskola and Jarmo Kymenlathi, with their Datsun GO,  in completing their epic roadtrip across Southern Africa. If there’s one thing that can be universally agreed in geekdom, it’s that the GO  from Datsun  is pretty damn cool. There have been various real life entry level (budget) vehicles built across the years, but only one has been officially localised for our market .

The trip began in Johannesburg, whereafter Vesa and Jarmo meandered across to the Kruger Park and then down to Durban. From Durban, they travelled along the garden route to Cape Town and up the west coast into Namibia. Then it was up to the Etosha Pan and back along the Trans-Kalahari highway (I have no idea where these last two places are). 

One highlight of the trip was a stop in the Free State to view the classic Datsun collection of around 70 vehicles belonging to enthusiast Freek de Kock from DeKelder in Bothaville. The prize-winning vehicles in the collection – an original Datsun GTR, introduced as a sedan in 1971, and the Fairlady – the answer to the British 1960s genre of two seater sports car, but unusually featuring a third seat mounted at right angles to the driver’s seat in the rear of the vehicle. 

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When we asked Vesa what the best thing of this trip was, he replied “South Africa is very beautiful with landscapes that keep changing. The diversity is wonderful and the roads are good.”

“The Kruger Park; being surrounded by a herd of 40 elephant in the Etosha as well as the winelands of the Western Cape come close to nothing” he concluded. 

Believe it or not, but the only maintenance required during the entire 9 800km journey was to two tyres that suffered punctures on the flinty roads in the desert areas of Namibia. Comparing his African trip to those in Indonesia, India and Russia, Vesa saw Africa coming up trumps. 

Since the vehicle is in its early concept stage and won’t go under production anytime soon, Datsun went ahead and created  a smaller, compact version of the Cross’ design; The Datsun redi-Go. It is an entry level A-segment car, and is targeted at ‘young and aspirational customers with an achiever mind set, who value fun and freedom, and confidently strive for success and opportunity – balanced by affordability.’ That’s all in the press release, but truth be told I am liking this Datsun offering way more than the infamous Go. 

Of course we had our fair share with the Datsun Go for review just before Christmas, and it offered me some economical freedom whilst ensuring I make it my next destination – and back home – in one piece. Class is something we’ll debate in our official review. The redi-Go takes cues from the success of the Go, combining the roominess, best in class ground clearance (185 mm) and sheer fun of a crossover and blends that with zippy driving and fuel efficiency of an affordable compact hatchback. By providing the best features of a crossover and the major attributes of an urban hatchback. 

Compared to the Go, this offering features  eye-catching styling and striking character lines along the bodywork. The distinctive ‘D-cut’ grille, headlamps and rear lamps are combined to create a sense of dynamism and sophistication. The Japanese design team has given the vehicle a flowing style, creating the impression that it is in motion even when it is standing still. Something yet to be proven once it reaches our shores. 

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Specifications:

– 0.8L 800 cc 3-cylinder petrol mill derived from Renault Kwid

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In time for the new model, Datsun SA took the wraps off their unique, fixed cost All-in-1-GO plan. Under the plan, users will enjoy a brand new, comprehensively insured car, fitted with a tracking device, include a service plan, 24 hour roadside assistance and a brand new smartphone (exact model and specifications yet to confirmed).  Which will set users back R2 499 per month inclusive of all taxes.

According to the official presser released by the brand, The Datsun stories campaign (now in its second week) aims to thank its first 100 000 customers for choosing a new Datsun vehicle. And in case you missed it; the Datsun GO was the first offering bearing the modernised brand to take to South Africa’s roads since the early 1980s. This trend has continued in the new year with 2 671 sales since January, positioning Datsun as the leader in the 2015 A-segment dealer sales.

“The Datsun brand has such a rich history in South Africa; from the proud Datsun SSS days to the legendary Datsun bakkies that at least one of our family members owned. We are looking forward to hearing the stories from a new generation of Datsun owners,” said Des Fenner, General Manager at Datsun South Africa.

To enter, South African customers are invited to upload their stories to official Datsun pages through social networks using #datsunsstories_za. The best stories will then be selected by a jury comprising representatives in the regions and the global Datsun Business Unit in Japan. A number of the best stories will also be published on the global website for a chance to win that all expenses paid trip to Japan.

*Image courtesy of Cars.co.za