Nissan Terrano makes a comeback
Dacia Duster-based Terrano unveiled in India, but will not be sold in OzThe new Nissan Terrano has been unveiled in production form in India this week.
The light-duty SUV, which is based on the same B0 platform as the Dacia Duster, looks like a smaller version of the Nissan Pathfinder, though much of the Duster’s styling is still quite evident in profile view.
The Terrano will compete directly with pint-size SUVs like Ford’s upcoming EcoSport, as well as the Mahindra Quanto and the Duster in India and other developing markets, but is not expected to be sold Down Under.
Nissan Australia already has the (larger) Dualis and (larger again) X-TRAIL -- both of which will be replaced next year -- in its SUV portfolio and will also launch the Juke city-crossover in coming months, along with a redesigned seven-seat Pathfinder SUV to join the full-size Patrol.
It says the new Terrano is “not a part of its plans for the local market”. Given the Dacia Duster scores a three-star Euro NCAP safety rating, that’s probably a good thing.
Speaking at the Indian media launch of the new Terrano, Nissan India President of Operations, Kenichiro Yomura, told gathered press that the light SUV is an aspiration model for Indian buyers.
“Volume-wise, I expect Terrano will help us grow as a major SUV player in the market. This will be an aspirational model for SUV customers and a premium SUV in the segment,” said Yomura-san.
“There is competition everywhere, even in SUVs and sedan. So we have intentionally made Terrano premium. We are targeting the premium side of the compact SUV segment -- we don’t see too many competitors.”
Not surprisingly, the new Terrano shares its driveline offerings with the Duster. These include a 1.6-litre four-cylinder capable of operation on LPG, ethanol and petrol, and a 1.5-litre Renault-sourced turbo-diesel.
A 2.0-litre petrol is also found in European-spec Duster models, though this is not offered in the Indian marke.
Like the Duster, the Terrano will be offered in two- and four-wheel drive guises in India but, unlike in Europe, Indian-spec models are offered only with a manual transmission.
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