Nissan announced its affordable compact SUV Tekton last fall, but hadn’t properly unveiled it until this week. The model will be assembled in India and exported into the developing markets, sharing most of its parts and internals with the third-gen Renault Duster.
On the outside, the Tekton doesn’t look much different from the Duster except for a few places where the company says it was inspired by the iconic Nissan Patrol. These places, apparently, include the headlights and the taillights, because the rest is basically the same. The exterior dimensions (L/W/H) are quoted as 4,349 x 1,815 x 1,674 millimeters with a wheelbase spanning 2,657 millimeters.
The engine options stay the same as well. One is the familiar 1.0-liter turbocharged three-pot rated at 100 PS (99 hp / 74 kW) and 166 Nm (122 lb-ft) of torque. The other one is a 1/3-liter four-cylinder turbo capable of 163 PS (161 hp / 120 kW) and 280 Nm (207 lb-ft). The former is obtainable with a six-speed manual transmission only, while the latter can be mated with a six-speed DCT instead.
Nissan hasn’t revealed any sprint times so far, but you can always look up the Duster’s specifications and expect roughly the same performance. In its most basic form, the Tekton features 17-inch steelies for wheels, an entry-level audio system by Arkamys, an air conditioner and a host of electronic safety features. Paying extra gets you a two-zone climate control system, ACC, matrix LED headlights, and a modern infotainment system. Further options include a panoramic roof, an advanced audio system, and power adjustments for the driver’s seat.
In India, the compact crossover starts from 10.49 Rs Lakh (U.S. $11,000). Ticking all the option boxes raises the price to 18.59 Rs Lakh (U.S. $19,500).