Datsun’s city commuter, which is built on the same platform as the Kwid, is now available with an automated manual transmission (AMT). This AMT version is identical to the standard 1.0-litre variant, the only real visual difference is the gear lever.
The car comes with a proper stick-type unit for the gearbox and not a rotary dial like in the Kwid. The interior is identical to the 2017 1.0-litre variant, with only minor, AMT-specific changes. The all-black theme with silver highlights continues but this variant comes with a new Bluetooth-enabled music system. Also, the multi-information display (MID) is mildly tweaked, and instead of a tachometer, there’s a gear position indicator that’s new.
Since the only upgrade is the 5-speed automated manual transmission, we’ll focus on it here. It comes with a creep mode, although it is unusually slow. It’s useful when parking, not so much in real-world traffic. While you’re moving, drive with a gentle foot and the gearshifts are seamless and barely even noticeable. But if you try to drive this car aggressively, you’ll be greeted by the jerkiness that’s typical of most AMTs. Still, it’s smooth enough for intra-city commutes. There’s a manual mode as well if you want to take more control. This engine is a peppy performer and it pulls strongly.
At highway speeds, there is a clear disconnect between the steering and front wheels, and this doesn’t inspire confidence. The ride is firm and the car tends to crash through sharp edges.
Should I buy one?
This is a car that’s smartly-styled and practical. This Redigo does pack in a lot of strengths. For city commuting, the Redigo offers a lot - space, style, practicality and ease of driving. The car is priced competitively from ₹3.59-3.75 lakh (ex-showroom). Although the prices of the AMT haven’t been revealed yet, you can expect it to cost around ₹30,000 over the equivalent manual version.
