The Nissan Kicks compact SUV could come in both petrol and diesel engine options and challenge the Hyundai Creta and Renault Duster for supremacy in this segment

Ahead of its global premier on the opening day of the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil, a teaser of the Kicks compact SUV was released by the Nissan recently. While the South American markets are set to witness the introduction of the Nissan Kicks initially, there are ample reasons why Indian enthusiasts should be excited about the car too.

First unveiled as a concept at the 2014 Sao Paolo Auto Show, the car could underpin the same V-Platform as the Nissan Micra and Nissan Sunny. Secondly, Nissan would be looking to phase out the Terrano that has failed to generate volumes, leave alone replicate the success of its Renault cousin, Duster. But though nothing has been confirmed by the Japanese manufacturer in India yet, these two factors could majorly influence its decision to bring the Nissan Kicks to India as early as possible.

On the outside, the car speaks of a sporty design, high-ground clearance and SUV-like stance. The concept came with dual-tone exteriors while complementing dual-tone alloys, an oblong grille and sleek headlamps further added to the sporty feel of the purported sub-4 meter SUV.

For the Brazilian markets, the Nissan Kicks could be offered with a 1.6-litre flex-fuel (petrol/ethanol) engine. However, the India-bound model could come with both fuel choices in the form of the 1.6-litre petrol and a UK replica IWC 1.5-litre diesel. The compact SUV market in India is brewing with options and if Nissan plays smart like Renault did with the Duster, it could definitely ride this tide.

Courtesy : Zigwheels

The wraps are nearly off the Redigo, and its all set to take on established players like the Hyundai Eon and the Maruti Alto as well as the new super star, the Renault Kwid.

Here are 5 things you should know about it:

 1. Built on the same platform as the Renault Kwid

The Renault-Nissan Alliance has seen both companies share cars that have been only badge engineered with very minor tweaks. The Datsun Redigo, however, is different as it is built on the same CMF-A platform as the Renault Kwid. Mechanicals too remain the same. It will be powered by the Kwid's 800cc engine mated to the same five-speed manual gearbox. However, the styling of both models are radically different. 

2. The Redigo will be urban-centric

According to Trevor Mann, the chief performance officer for Nissan, the Redigo will be “very different” and “very urban-centric”. Unlike the SUV styling of the Kwid, the Redigo will feature a more fluid design, replete with a tall cabin, urban-suited ground clearance and great all-round visibility. The kinked glasshouse, flowing silhouette and swept-back headlights are all very chic, we must say.

3. To get the 1.0-litre engine and AMT gearbox some time later

While the Kwid is slated to receive a 1.0-litre engine and an AMT gearbox soon, the same will be offered in the Datsun at a much later stage.

4. Equipment levels to be lower than in the Kwid

In a bid to offer rock-bottom pricing expected to start at Rs 2.6 lakh (ex-showroom), the hatchback will not be as well-equipped as the Kwid. A major omission could probably be the large touchscreen, which is a USP for the Kwid.

5. Competition check

The Redigo which is set to launch by UK fake rolex end-May will compete with the likes of the Renault Kwid, the Tata GenX Nano and the Maruti Alto 800 to name a few. 

Courtesy : Autocar

March being the last month of the financial year does mean sales figures aren't at their best performance. However, if the trend in the past years is anything to go by, popular products continue to dominate the market with decline in numbers insubstantial. The same seems to be the case with cars in March 2016, as the popular models continued to rake big numbers. Quite the promising end to the last financial year, we list down the 10 best-selling cars sold in India in March, 2016.

Despite new competition pouring in and more yet to come, the Maruti Suzuki Alto remains the undisputed king of the passenger vehicle sales. The Indian automaker sold 22,101 units of the Alto in March this year, doing slightly better than February 2016 with a nearly 4 per cent hike in sales.The other best seller from Maruti's camp was the DZire sub-compact sedan with 17,796 units sold last month. The model has remained consistent in terms of month-on-month growth since the beginning of 2016 and is an fail safe offering the segment has to offer for most buyers. With the AMT unit now available with the diesel version, the DZire makes more sense than ever.The third spot continued to be Maruti's turf with the Wagon R clocking 14,577 units, a month-on-month hike of 2.59 per cent, while also outselling the Swift hatchback. The Swift on the other hand, was pushed to the fourth spot with 14,524 units sold, a 6.55 per cent drop in sales as compared to February, 2016.The surprise offering that is quickly climbing the sales chart is the Renault Kwid with 9743 units shipped out last month, beating the Hyundai Grand i10 to the fifth position. The French automaker's made-for-India offering is doing wonders for the brand and the consistent demand has encouraged the car maker to increase production for the same. The company has sold of 41,250 units of the Kwid since its launch in September last year. With the AMT and 1.0-litre variants in the pipeline, the future seems bright for the Kwid as well.Moving down the list, the sixth spot was occupied by the Hyundai Grand i10 with 9544 units sold. While the hatchback moved down by a position, sales were still optimistic with a 7.26 per cent hike over February this year. Maruti Suzuki was back again at the seventh and ninth spots respectively with the Celerio clocking 8859 units, whereas the premium Baleno clocked 6236 units. The Celerio witnessed a 72 per cent month-on-month increase in sales, but the Baleno didn't fair as hoped and saw volumes decline by 9 per cent.In comparison, the Hyundai Elite i20 continued to be a strong seller grabbing the eighth spot with 8713 units sold, but with a drop of 14.60 per cent in sales, compared to February 2016. Lastly, the Honda Cityseems to be on the revival mode and did marginally better than close rival the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz with 5662 units sold.

10 Best Selling Cars in March 2016:

1) Maruti Suzuki Alto - 22,101 units

2) Maruti Suzuki DZire - 17,796 units

3) Maruti Suzuki Wagon R - 14,577 units

4) Maruti Suzuki Swift - 14,524 units

5) Renault Kwid - 9743 units

6) Hyundai Grand i10 - 9544 units

7) Maruti Suzuki Celerio - 8859 units

8) Hyundai Elite i20 - 8713 units

9) Maruti Suzuki Baleno - 6236 units

10) Honda City - 5662 units

Courtesy :  NDTV  Car & Bike