Two weeks ahead of its scheduled unveiling in India, Datsun has given us a very good indication of how its first millennium baby will look by releasing these official sketches.
Although the cars will be adapted for different markets, they will follow a “common inspiration” and thus the hatch you see here shouldn't look too different from the one that will reach South African showrooms later in 2014.
The Datsun brand was discarded by Nissan in the early eighties, and it is now being revived as a budget brand to slot below Nissan products. India, Russia, Indonesia and South Africa will be among its primary markets as the brand seeks to provide affordable transportation for 'developing' markets.
Yet if the debut model retains most of the cheeky flair that we see in the sketches, it could be more than just a bland commuter.
Although it is expected to be based on the Russian Lada Kelisa, with which it will share mechanical components, the Datsun will have its own unique sheet metal.
According to Datsun, the products will offer an engaging driving experience and peace of mind ownership at the right price.
On that note, Datsun SA has already mentioned a sub-R100 000 price tag, although we'd avoid holding our breath on that one if the rand's slide continues.
The first product will be a full import, although the company has hinted that local production, at Nissan's Rosslyn plant in Gauteng, could be on the cards at a later stage.