Nissan Magnite CNG: In a bid to tap into India's growing CNG vehicle market, Nissan India appears to be gearing up to introduce a CNG-powered version of the Magnite. Following Renault's recent rollout of government-approved retrofit CNG kits for models like the Kwid, Triber and Kiger, Nissan seems to be taking a similar approach. Check out more details below and make sure you join our elite 91Wheels Community to stay versed on the latest automotive news.
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Magnite CNG Under Development
The Nissan Magnite has been the brand's bread and butter in India, especially after its recent facelift. The facelifted Nissan offers an improved set of features and cabin quality. Despite the updates, the compact SUV has witnessed a 16.03 per cent year-on-year dip in sales, prompting Nissan to explore new strategies to boost its appeal.
CNG-powered variants have proven successful for brands like Maruti Suzuki, Tata and Hyundai. While these manufacturers offer factory-fitted kits, Renault recently became the latest brand to introduce retrofit kits, which Nissan now appears to be testing as well.
What We Know So Far
Reports suggest that Nissan is evaluating retrofit CNG kits from the same vendor supplying Renault. This means the Magnite CNG could be priced similarly, around Rs 79,500, in line with the Triber and Kiger CNG offerings. Renault's CNG kits come with a three-year warranty and promise no impact on performance, a policy Nissan might follow.
Additionally, it is expected that the CNG variant will be available only with the naturally aspirated 1.0L three-cylinder petrol engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. However, official mileage figures have not been disclosed and it remains to be seen if Nissan will reveal efficiency numbers at launch.
What to Expect in the Magnite CNG?
While the CNG variant is unlikely to introduce additional features beyond what was offered in the recent facelift, a key trade-off could be boot space. Unlike Tata and Hyundai's dual-cylinder CNG setup, Nissan might follow Renault's conventional single-cylinder approach that will reduce the boot space of the car for sure.
The Nissan Magnite CNG is expected to compete with the Tata Punch i-CNG, Hyundai Exter Hy-CNG Duo and its alliance counterpart, the Renault Kiger CNG. Given the growing interest in fuel-efficient alternatives, this new addition to the Magnite lineup could help Nissan regain traction in the Indian market.
Read more: Renault Kiger CNG vs Tata Punch CNG vs Hyundai Exter CNG: Comparison
Verdict
With Nissan reportedly training service personnel on the upcoming CNG kits, an official announcement could be around the corner. As the competition in the CNG segment intensifies, the Magnite CNG could emerge as an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers seeking an economical and practical SUV.
