Nissan Kicks teased in China

Developed mainly for the emerging markets, the Nissan Kicks is Nissan’s answer to the Hyundai Creta or the Hyundai ix25 if talked specifically about China. Introducing it in production form last year in Brazil, the Japanese automaker confirmed plans to sell the model in more than 80 countries. The small SUV measures 4,295 mm in length, 1,760 mm in width and 1,590 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,10 mm.

The Nissan Kicks rides on the V platform that underpins even the fifth-gen Nissan Micra that went on sale in Europe last month. It’s powered by a revised version of the HR16DE 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces develops 84 kW (114 PS) and 152 Nm of torque in the Brazilian-spec version and 88 kW (119 PS) and 149 Nm of torque in the Latin American-spec version. The Brazilian-spec version’s engine uses a petrol-ethanol flex-fuel system. Power is channelled to the wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission or the Xtronic continuously variable transmission.

V-motion grille, 17-inch wheels, boomerang tail lights, full-colour seven-inch TFT information display, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with satellite navigation, Traction Control System, Vehicle Dynamic Control and 360-degree Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection are some of the highlights of the Nissan Kicks.

The Nissan Kicks will go on sale in China later this year. The Chinese-spec version is said to get the 124 hp HR15 1.5-litre engine instead of the HR16DE 1.6-litre engine.

For India, Nissan has planned a different version of the Kicks, with the Renault Duster’s B0 platform reportedly forming the basis. Codenamed PB1D, this version will share traits with the Renault Captur arriving later this year as that too will utilise the same platform and fall in the same segment.