Trial & Error

The Datsun redi-GO 1-litre provides some much-needed extra power, but is it enough to take on the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 and Renault Kwid 1-litre?

- Arup Das

It was a year ago when Datsun decided to shake things up in the entry-level A-segment hatchback market by introducing the redi-GO. Even though it’s based on the Renault Kwid, the redi-GO is a completely different machine. And while Datsun has managed to taste limited success with the redi-GO and the redi-GO Sport, its Achilles heel was the underpowered 53bhp 800cc engine – apart from other niggling issues like fit-and-finish and build quality. One major grouse with the 800cc was that it didn’t offer the much-needed pulling power under 2,500rpm. Therefore, Datsun has decided to fix this issue by plonking a 67bhp 999cc engine under the hood. So is this heart transplant the solution for all the redi-GO’s problems? We find out on the winding roads of Goa.