The Datsun GO hatchback and the GO+ MPV will now be available with driver side airbags. Dealers have confirmed an August launch for the models. The airbag-equipped models will cost approximately
Rs 15,000 more than the non-airbag ones. This announcement was earlier made in March, and production of the models has begun since, at the Oragadam plant in Chennai.
The new GO and GO+ will be called the GO T (O) and the GO+ T (O) respectively. There will no other changes made to the cars, except for the addition of the airbags.
The T variant of the Datsun GO and GO+ are powered by the same 1.2-litre petrol putting out 67bhp and 10.1kgm torque.
The Datsun GO underwent a crash test a while ago and scored a zero in the ratings. This led to the model being banned until the car was made safer. Interestingly, the car was on sale in India even though it was banned in Europe. This was because the car adhered to Indian safety norms. Now, the proposed Central Motor Vehicle Rules, to come into effect in 2017, will make crash tests mandatory for all cars sold in India. So the GO and GO+ will have to contend with the stricter regulations enforced to make vehicles safer.