Nissan Motor India has rolled out its new premium compact SUV, the Tekton, in a launch being seen as the company's biggest bet in its India comeback strategy. The Tekton's starting price has been set at Rs 10.49 lakh, while its Turbo T280 DCT variant starts at Rs 14.99 lakh. Nissan says the Tekton is its second new launch in the country and is expected to play a key role in the company's expansion plans in India. With the Tekton's arrival, models like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Renault Duster now have another strong rival to contend with.
Creta and Seltos already hold a tight grip on the segment
Carving out space in India's compact SUV market will not be easy for the Tekton, given how firmly the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos have already established themselves. Even so, Nissan has packed the Tekton with certain distinctive features that the company says set it apart from everything else in the segment, and it is banking on these to win over buyers looking for something different from the usual options.
Built in Chennai, bound for markets beyond India
Nissan has confirmed that the Tekton will be manufactured entirely at its Chennai plant. From there, the SUV will not stay confined to the domestic market alone, it will also be exported to markets in West Asia and Africa. According to the company, the Tekton is the only SUV in its segment to offer turbocharged engine options across its entire lineup, meaning every variant of the car comes with the benefit of a turbo engine.
Turbo T160 and T280 engines, 163 bhp on tap
Buyers will get a choice between two engine options, the Turbo T160 and the Turbo T280. Of the two, the T280 engine produces 163 bhp of power and 280 Nm of torque, putting it among the more powerful offerings in the segment. The Tekton also comes with Google-based connectivity, which means owners will be able to use Google Maps and Google Assistant, along with access to more than 200 apps available on the Google Play Store.
700 litres of boot space and 212 mm ground clearance
Nissan says the Tekton offers up to 700 litres of boot space, the highest in its segment, along with 212 mm of ground clearance and advanced features aimed at improving grip. Nissan Motor India Managing Director Saurabh Vatsa said the Tekton is the central pillar of Nissan's comeback strategy in India. He added that the SUV has been designed specifically around the needs of Indian customers and will be built in India before making its way into global markets.
