Smart and Stylish city car

First Drive Report: Datsun Redi Go 1.0 T (O) by Shibu Chakraborty.

Datsun’s third offering in India was pitched as an urban crossover called redi Go. We also voted it as our choice for the second car that we will be using in addition to the tried and tested master – Alto 800.

After taking delivery of our Redi Go in ruby red colour (christened as ‘Red Ridinghood’ by our daughter Yukti), me and my wife started our journey back home from the Ritu Nissan Datsun showroom located near Hiranandani Estate, Thane. We had decided to take the route via Mulund Airoli link road that would then pass via the Thane Belapur road, then Mahape Shil Road and finally Kalyan Shil Road to reach Palava city where we reside. Though this route has two tolls, it was our preferred route as the drive is through highway and several flyovers with road conditions being pretty good.

As we sojourned our drive, the first task was to fill some petrol since we were to drive for about 35 km through the above route. Datsun Redi Go houses a 28L petrol tank on the right hand side. The first few minutes while driving the car made me a bit nervous since I have been used to only driving our Alto800 since the last four years. After the Redi Go test drive about three weeks ago, this was my first major drive across the city roads. This variant houses the 1.0L iSAT engine and though it is much more refined as reviewed by experts when compared to the 800cc model, there has been a lot of discussion on the engine’s capabilities at relatively lower rpm levels.

My focus too remained on similar lines as I was constantly trying to hear the engine and read its response when starting from idle, creeping the Redi Go at bumper to bumper traffic and while on the climb. The refinement level is relatively good though but it does shudder a bit and even the co-passenger on the front seat can see the dashboard vibrating at the start unless we apply a little throttle and hear the peculiar sneezing noise of the engine at the start. Once it starts cruising, the ride quality and feedback is really a pleasure from an entry level A segment car. I too felt that it is best to drive the car at a little less than 2000 rpm. Around the corners and turns, a bit of body roll due to its tall boy structure is also experienced but still not enough to scare and maintain a decent speed.

Reversing the car is also an unique experience since it needs a lever below the gear knob to be pulled up whilst slotting it at extreme left top past the first gear. When the gear knob is returned to neutral, the lever automatically comes down and while it is in this position, we move to the standard first gear.

Few issues related to ergonomics are worth mentioning. Due to the high stance driving, the driver has to reach down while using the parking brake. Same happens when trying to close or open the glass through the power window buttons which are located too far ahead. The left and right turn indicator arrows are not very clearly visible when driving under bright sun light.

Leaving these issues aside, the bright spots include better cabin space, head space and decent features like central locking, child safety lock door and relatively sound suspension. The clutch is really very light and engages early, while the acceleration is extremely responsive to light throttle push. A tight turning radius also is a boon during U turns.

The overall experience of driving the RediGo for the first time at length was at the end enjoyable. As I spend more time with it, the handling and manoeuvrability is bound to improve.

Tall boy design, cabin interior space, wide view from driver seatEngine refinement, position of power windows