Nissan Connect, the vehicle telematics suite on offer by the Japanese carmaker, has been given an update to include more customer-oriented features, taking the total count to 50 connected car options on offer.

The mobile application, which can be installed on either a tablet or a customer's smartphone, beams out relevant data retrieved from the vehicle Telematics Control Unit (TCU), which is interjected into the battery circuit of the car at the factory itself in all new vehicles produced by the company.

Apart from offering service booking and scheduling functions, with the update, Nissan Connect now also includes SOS alert, tow-away alert, geo-fencing, intelligent route guides and engine idle monitoring, among other features.

The Nissan Connect platform, which is a part of the larger Nissan Intelligent Mobility division in the Japanese carmaker's future scheme of things, has been developed solely by its local engineers at its Renault Nissan Technology Business Centre India (RNTBCI), located at Chennai.

According to Peter Clissold, vice-president, marketing, Nissan India, “Nissan Connect has been developed specifically for India on a dedicated server ensuring data security and has been developed by engineers at Nissan India.”

“As per our survey, conducted across 20 states gauging the need for connected features in cars, 53 percent of Indians responded that they feel the need to be connected to their families while driving”, he added.

Nissan Connect comes with a three-year free subscription (mobile SIM data charges apply) and a 1-year warranty with purchase of every new Nissan Terrano, Micra and Sunny models. Existing owners can also get their cars upgraded to the Nissan Connect 1.2 as a dealer fitment, at a cost of Rs 14,000 for an annual subscription.