Can Nissan NV200 shake up Innova segment?

15/04/2011 - 05:42 Nissan NV200, Nissan NV200 India, NV200, Nissan Kaustubh Shinde

Back in 2010, we spotted a NV200 testing in Chennai. According to Kiminobu Tokuyama, Managing Director and CEO of Nissan Motor India, after the launch of the global sedan – the Sunny, Nissan will launch another vehicle in 2012, which is expected to compete with Toyota's Innova.

All hints point at the Nissan NV200 because the Nissan Serena was never caught testing on the Indian roads and the MPV on the V-Platform might not be suitable for our market.

The Nissan NV200 is a mini van based on the Nissan B platform. Looking at the Indian market, we predict that it will be powered Logan’s 1.5L diesel engine producing about 85 bhp and 200 Nm of torque and mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox.

The Nissan NV200 is 4.4m long, 1.86m tall and 1.69m wide. It can carry 7 passengers in good comfort and luxury. Nissan could equip it with airbags, ABS and EBD to make it appeal to the classes as well. Prices are expected to be from 9-12 lakh rupees.

There is a strong argument that this mini van is more of an LCV than an MPV but Nissan can certainly work on the interior to make sure that the fit and finish is top notch.

So what do you think of the Nissan NV200? Is it an Innova killer or will it kill itself in the pursuit of the best MPV crown?