Datsun mi-Do hatchback spied

After the recent launch of the Datsun on-Do sedan in Russia, pictures of a larger Datsun hatchback being tested have surfaced. The larger hatchback, expected to be called the mi-Do, was spotted wearing minimal camouflage in Russia recently and is expected to be launched by the end of 2014. The Datsun mi-Do is essentially a badge engineered version of the Lada Kalina and will be assembled in the same factory as the Lada.

Just like the Renault-Nissan joint venture in India has resulted in badge engineered cars like the Nissan Terrano-Renault Duster, Nissan Micra-Renault Pulse and the Nissan Sunny-Renault Scala, Lada’s JV with the Nissan group has resulted in similar practices. The recently launched Datsun on-Do for example is a rebadged version of the Lada Granta and comes with a 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder engine with 88PS mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The Lada Kalina is essentially the hatchback version of the Lada Granta and comes with the same engine.

As seen in the spy pictures, the Datsun mi-Do follows Datsun’s new design direction to the T. A new sharper hexagonal grille has replaced the Lada’s curvaceous conventional grille along with the aggressive Dastun headlamp units. At the rear too, the longer vertically stacked tail lamp units have been replaced by a more conventional set of tail lamps. In fact, this new Datsun mi-Do looks quite similar to Tata’s new Bolt hatchback slated to be launched around the first week of July.

Datsun’s re-introduction to the world took place right here in India with the legendary Japanese brand showcasing a no-nonsense hatchback, the Go. A few months ago, the Go+ MPV broke cover to high praise over a simple design and phenomenal packaging and space. The Datsun on-Do, Datsun’s family sedan for Russia was the third new car to come from the low cost Japanese brand and now with the new mi-Do hatchback, Datsun’s strong run at cheap and basic motoring continues. Expect this bigger hatchback to make its way into India too and go up against the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Swift and the Volkswagen Polo amongst others.

Read our detailed Datsun Go Review here

Also Read: Datsun Go vs Hyundai Eon Comparison Review