We have some great news for Sports car fans. The legendary Nissan 370Z will be launched in India in January 2010. It would have been at the Auto Expo but sources say that Nissan will not be present at the Auto Expo. The car will be imported as a Completely Built Unit (CBU) and is expected to cost about Rs 50lakhs for the fully loaded 3.7l VQ-VHR (very high revving) V6 with 7-speed paddle-shift gearbox.
Suresh Rangarajan, Nissan’s official spokesperson told the media that the 370Z will be launched in India in Jan 2010 and will be the third in a series of imported cars after the X-trail and the Teana. He also added that another model is under consideration to be launched as a CBU as well. Nissan is yet to finalise this model. Although no prices were mentioned for the Z, we expect it to cost a shade under Rs 50lakhs for a start.
The model will come fully loaded with leather seats, high-end audio system, sports kit and a 7-speed automatic. The car should cost over $40,000 to be imported without homologation. Nissan might think of importing few numbers of homologated manual versions for a much lower cost if the demand is high. The Z actually costs Rs 15lakh in Japan and USA for the base model. Add 110% taxes, then shipping charges, you end up with a figure close to Rs 35lakhs. However, due to local homologation rules, the car will have to cost over $40,000 to be imported without homologation. So the price of close to Rs 50lakhs for the top-end model.
It will take the fight to Porsche’s models, especially the Cayman. With a conventional Front engine-rear drive platform, tail-out fun is guaranteed. This is after all the same car that featured in Tokyo Drifts. This will be India’s first truly affordable sports car. Wait for this one! Will be a scorcher!
According to Kiminobu Tokuyama, CEO and Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, Nissan has a global market share of 5.67% and targets to achieve 5.5% market share in India within 3-5 years post the launch of its first car from its state of the art Chennai plant. The first car, the Nissan Micra is expected to roll-out in May 2010.
When quizzed further about how Nissan intends to utilize its Chennai plant, Tokuyama said that the facility shall initially be manufacturing premium hatchback cars in the B+ segment and shall be the hub for global sourcing. He also confirmed that Nissan has taken a decision to end production of its small car Micra at its manufacturing facility in UK and shift its production at the upcoming Chennai plant. Nissan will bring in the Micra hatchback, a sedan based on the same platform and a mini-MPV too. Nissan India’s portfolio will have 12 models by 2012.
Nissan is also increasing its dealership network in the country. It recently unvieled a new dealership outlet in Gujrat increasing its total count in India to nine.
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