Next-gen Nissan Kicks spied testing for the first time

The second-gen Nissan Kicks is expected to see its global debut later this year.

Published On Apr 07, 2023 09:00:00 AM

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Just as the first-gen Nissan Kicks bowed out of our market, its successor has been spotted undergoing tests overseas ahead of its global debut that's expected later this year. The test mule of the next-gen Kicks is heavily draped in camouflage, but it's likely in the final stages of testing.

Second-gen Kicks global debut likely by late 2023
Styling to be inspired by X-Trail, Juke SUVs
Expected to come with e-Power hybrid powertrain

The first-gen Kicks was underpinned by two separate platforms depending on the market – here in India, the Kicks was based on the tried-and-tested M0 platform shared with the Duster and Captur, while in most international markets, the Kicks was based on the V-platform that underpinned the Micra hatchback. While both the M0 and V platforms have now been laid to rest, the second-gen Kicks seen in these spy shots is underpinned by the more advanced and modular CMF-B platform, according to sources.

Next-gen Nissan Kicks: what do the spy shots reveal?

Even though the test mule is heavily camouflaged, one can immediately tell that the next-gen Kicks boasts of a much more aggressive design language. Compared to current-gen Kicks, which was last facelifted in 2020 for international markets– although it was never brought to India – the next-gen Kicks has a more upright stance with a taller and flatter nose. There’s a distinct two-part grille, the front fascia is well contoured and it's likely to also get a split headlamp set-up just as the X-Trial and Juke. At the rear, the windscreen is quite steeply raked and the tailgate has a flat-ish design with seemingly vertically oriented tail lamps.

Next-gen Nissan Kicks: platform and technical details

As mentioned above, the next-gen Kicks is expected to be underpinned by the CMF-B platform from the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. This platform is also the mainstay of Nissan’s global line-up of SUVs and underpins several other models from Renault and Mitsubishi as well. This platform even has an electric derivative that’s known as the CMF-B EV.

Under the hood, the next-gen Kicks will likely continue to be powered by Nissan’s e-Power hybrid powertrain that combines a 1.5-litre petrol motor with an electric motor and battery. The combustion engine, however, never directly powers the wheels but only acts as a generator, and it’s the e-motor that drives the wheels. It could also continue to be powered by regular petrol powertrains.

Next-gen Nissan Kicks: will it come to India?

What’s interesting is that the CMF-B platform is headed to India. Late last year, Renault-Nissan announced a fresh investment in India, which will see both brands bring two new SUVs each by 2025. These upcoming models will be underpinned by the CMF-B platform and will be localised to a high degree. It will be cleverly retooled for India and other low-cost markets, removing non-essential components, while still keeping things future-proof. There is, however, no news of the next-gen Kicks based on this platform making it to India any time soon.

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