Nissan India, the domestic arm of Japanese auto maker, seems to be preparing for the unveiling of its compact Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) Terrano on 20th of August. Reported to be based on Renault Duster, Terrano is expected to share a number of features with its sibling. However, industry experts are of a view that the Japanese auto maker has managed to provide a different look to the upcoming model, which will set it apart from the Renault Duster. Also, the compact SUV segment of Indian auto market has witnessed a lot of activities in 2013 with the launch of several models. It must be noted that in recent times, sales of compact SUVs have increased in the country, which led to the presence of models like Ford EcoSport, Renault Duster and Maruti Suzuki Ertiga.
Following the bandwagon, Nissan is planning to showcase Terrano SUV on August 20, which will be then launched in the country by the year end. Interestingly, a number of test mules of Nissan Terrano have been spotted doing test rounds in Chennai, indicating the fact that it will be not long enough to hit the Indian roads. Also, as Terrano is a sibling of Renault Duster, which created a brilliant impact on the Indian auto market in terms of sale, industry experts are of a view that the former will not have to exercise much to come up as a volume puller.
Currently, Renault and Nissan have a cross-badge engineering alliance, in which both the auto makers manufacture models based on the same platform. Sometime back, however, senior company officials from the alliance said that the companies are planning to end the product-sharing policy with Terrano being the last model. It must be noted that ever since the sketches of Nissan Terrano have been revealed, analysts and experts are speculating the kind of impact the model will make on the Indian auto market. Auto analysts believe that Nissan Terrano will sport a aggressive appearance with a much more stylish appearance than the Duster.
Some of the key advancements on exteriors of the upcoming model will include angular head lights, modified bumper, a reworked grille and an exclusive design of tailgate. Expressing his views on the new model, the Chief Executive Officer and President of Nissan Motor India, Kenichiro Yomura was quoted as saying, “You can see from the sketch that Terrano has a bold and distinctive design that I am confident will appeal to our growing customer base in India, as will its driving performance and range of other features that will be revealed at a later date.”
Sources close to the development process stated that Nissan Terrano will be placed above the Duster. However, it will be equipped with the same 1.5-litre diesel engine, which is doing a good job in Renault Duster. But, it is not clear yet that whether the Japanese auto maker will introduce a petrol version of Terrano. A thing to note here is that in contrast with other segments, the compact SUV space has witnessed a definite rise in 2012.
