Nissan finally debuted the Magnite sub-compact SUV in concept form today. With styling a definite strong point, it is expected to be the cheapest sub-4M SUV when its launched around January 2021.
After numerous teasers, Nissan has finally revealed the Magnite sub-compact SUV in concept form today. The Nissan Magnite Concept is by far the best indicator of how the final product could look like. Until now, Nissan had only been teasing various elements of the Magnite concept but it’s only today that the upcoming SUV has been shown in full. The Magnite has a crossover-ish stance with its gently cloping A- and C-Pillars when compared to its more traditionally shaped compact-SUV rivals. The exaggerated wheel arches and sculped bonnet however add some mass to the SUV.
Styling is definitely a strong point for the Magnite and its very new-age Nissan. The LED peeled-back headlamps look like a much sleeker version of the ones on the Kicks and the huge octagonal grille has some resemblance with larger Nissan SUVs. The grille and the large L-shaped DRLs are in fact very Datsun-like. Afterall, the Magnite started life as a Datsun project but the production car will be wearing a Nissan badge. The grille further gets some chrome and red details and the bumpers sports a rugged scuff plate and smart silver inserts.
Of course, this is only a concept and the large wheels with off-road tires will not make it onto the production-spec SUV. Like all other compact-SUVs in the segment, the Magnite too will come with 16-inch alloy wheels. Although not as chunky as in the concept here, the production-spec SUV will come with significant body cladding over the wheel arches and also the door sills. The blackened A-Pillars, contrast roof and the chrome door handles are also expected to make it to production. The rear end also looks very neat with smart looking LED tail lamps and a well contoured tail gate. The rear bumper features similar silver inserts and a scuff plate as the front but will be toned down in the production version.
Nissan still hasn’t revealed any images of the interiors of the Magnite. They did however touch upon the interiors in their presentation and also suggested that it could be one of the roomiest cabins in its class. Nissan also said that it will be well loaded on the features front and even confirmed some of the features which includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen, connected tech, 360-degree cameras and cruise control being part of the package. We can also expect automatic climate control and steering wheel mounted controls to be part of the mix.
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Under the hood, the Nissan Magnite will be powered by familiar engines from the Renault Triber. That includes the 1.0L, naturally aspirated three-cylinder petrol engine from the Triber that produces 72bhp. It will also get the 1.0L turbo-petrol engine with around 100bhp that’s expected to debut on the Triber very soon. Both engines will come mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Both engines will also have an automatic gearbox option. The base non-turbo 1.0L engine will be offered with an AMT gearbox while the 1.0L turbo-petrol engine will be offered with a CVT automatic gearbox. There will thus be four powertrain options in total.
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Nissan has said that the Magnite will be launched in India ‘within the financial year’ and we are expecting a launch around January 2021. The Nissan Magnite will have its starting price from around Rs 5.25 lakh mark and it might very well be cheapest in its segment. Additionally, even the turbo-petrol version with a CVT could have a sub-Rs 6 lakh (ex-showroom) price tag. The competition is stiff and it will have to rival the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport, Hyundai Venue, and Mahindra XUV300. There’s also the upcoming Renault Kiger and the Kia Sonet joining this segment.
