Nissan Tekton Launch On 9 July - Here's Everything To Expect From The 'Baby Patrol'

Nissan India is all set to launch its flagship SUV, the Nissan Tekton, in the market on 9th July. The brand has already teased the vehicle multiple times, and the most recent teaser of the SUV showcased its front profile. The brand is calling its upcoming SUV the Baby Patrol, as it is inspired by the widely reputed Nissan Patrol. However, it does not share anything with the Patrol; instead, it shares its platform with the Renault Duster. The Tekton will be entering a fiercely populated segment, and Nissan needs to play its cards well to succeed with the Tekton. In this article, let's talk about everything we know about the upcoming Nissan Tekton, or as the brand says, the 'Baby Patrol.'

Also Read: Renault Duster Evolution Vs Tata Sierra Pure - Which One Is A Smart Buy?

Nissan Tekton - Design

The upcoming Tekton will boast a fresh and muscular design, inspired by the Patrol. It will feature a bold and boxy silhouette with a wide front grille with horizontal slats, L-shaped LED DRLs, and a full-length LED light bar. The lower part will get a rugged bumper with a dual-tone treatment to maintain the bold stance of the SUV. On the sides, depending on the version, it could get 17-inch or 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, big wheel arches, a flat roofline, and C-pillar-mounted door handles, among other design highlights. The rear has been teased with C-shaped LED taillamps along with a connected light bar and a chunky bumper. A lot of things will be taken from the Duster, but the brand will mould them in Nissan's way to give it a distinctive look.

Interior & Features

Renault Duster Dashboard

The cabin will get almost everything that the new Duster offers. The controls will be driver-centric, and we can expect leatherette seats in the top-spec versions, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in Google support, a digital instrument cluster, wireless charging, a panoramic sunroof, and dual-zone climate control, among other features. Moreover, the brand will change the interior theme and the colour tone for the seats and the dashboard.

A few months back, we spotted the mid-spec version of the Tekton, which revealed a similar layout to the Duster; the steering seems to be the same 3-spoke unit, though it features a different stalk for infotainment control and the same instrument console. Safety features will include 6 airbags as standard, ABS with EBD, three-point seatbelts for all 5 occupants, ISOFIX child seat mounts, four-wheel disc brakes on select variants, and Level 2 ADAS in the top-spec variant, along with a 360-degree camera.

Engine & Transmission Options

The platform shared with Renault will also bring the engine and transmission options of the Duster to the Tekton. The Tekton is expected to come with a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol, a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol, and a 1.8-litre turbo petrol hybrid engine. The transmission options for the smaller turbo engine will be limited to a 6-speed manual transmission, while the bigger turbo motor will get both manual and DCT gearbox options. The hybrid is expected to get an e-CVT gearbox.

When it comes to performance, the 1.0-litre turbo engine is tuned to offer a good city driving experience. It offers good low-end torque, and the mid-range is also satisfactory; however, at the higher rev range, it starts to fade. Considering that the Duster and the upcoming Tekton will sit on the same platform, the Duster offers a more mature ride and handling setup. Its suspension is tuned for comfort and easily absorbs bumps and uneven roads. The high ground clearance gives you confidence on rough roads, while the steering feels light and provides good feedback. We can expect all this from the Tekton as well.

The ride quality of the Duster is spot on, and it is one of the most sorted in the segment. The suspension is tuned to offer a comfortable ride as well as good stability on the road. At corners, it feels planted, and the steering response is good as well. All this can be expected from the Tekton as well; however, the design changes that Nissan will make might alter some aerodynamics of the vehicle.

Opportunity & Challenges

Nissan will get into the mid-size SUV market again with the launch of the new Tekton. Till now, the Magnite was the flag-bearer of Nissan in India, and with this upcoming SUV, the brand will get more traction. The Tekton will be an SUV that will compete well with already established rivals such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Maruti Grand Vitara, among others. The Duster has gained good popularity in just a few months of its launch, and the Tekton is also expected to get the same. Another thing that will be in favour of Nissan will be the 'Baby Patrol' branding; it will take some design cues from the Patrol, and that will help the brand to position the SUV well. The availability of the hybrid powertrain will help it gain entry into the few hybrid options available. Also, local manufacturing and platform sharing with Renault will help in keeping costs in check.

However, there are a few things that can make it a challenge for the brand. The future of Nissan is very unpredictable in India; the brand keeps on saying, "we are not going anywhere," but its limited footprint across the nation says otherwise. Along with this, Renault has a major stake in Nissan and its production unit in India, which could also be a crucial factor for the Tekton, as Renault might control some of the positioning of the SUV. The brand will need to bridge the gaps available in the mid-size SUV segment, especially in terms of pricing. This particular segment is filled with options, and one of them is their own partner, the Duster. With it being a worthy rival in the segment, the brand will need to play its cards well regarding pricing and variant placement. Gone are the days when people used to buy vehicles purely for build and mechanicals; now, the brand needs to position its variants and features very strategically to gain customer interest. If the brand can play its cards well to place the vehicle in the segment, this could be a turning point for Nissan in India.