Magnite Facelift spied at Bharat NCAP Testing Site in Pune

Key Highlights:

• The Nissan Magnite is yet to be Globally Launched.
• The Nissan Magnite Facelift has been spotted camouflaged at the Bharat NCAP site in Pune, hinting at subtle design changes.
• Expected to launch in India early next year, the facelifted Magnite will continue to compete with popular compact SUVs like the Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, and Hyundai Venue.
• The Magnite Facelift might retain its current 1.0-litre petrol engines, with no significant mechanical changes anticipated.

The Nissan Magnite Facelift has been spotted camouflaged around the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP or the Bharat NCAP) site in Pune, Maharashtra. The Magnite Facelift is yet to make its debut in the global market and is expected to enter the left-hand drive market by the end of this year, while the Indian debut is expected in early next year.

The Competitors

The Nissan Magnite Facelift, is a compact SUV under the sub 4m SUV category. When launched the Magnite will rival the likes of Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonnet, Mahindra's latest and the most talked about compact SUV "The XUV 3XO", to name a few.

The Expected Design Language 

The Nissan Magnite is expected to undergo a mid-life refresh soon and test mules have been spied several times in India. Nevertheless, a recent Bharat NCAP video has helped reveal few of the exterior design changes on the facelifted Magnite.

In the video, there is a chance to see an engineering sample of the updated Magnite in the background as the camo cover is not completely fastened, and therefore, it is possible to notice some part of the lower-front of the car. Looking at the car, it seems to maintain the general successful design of current model, but there are subtle changes that can be observed.

While retaining the headlights and DRLs, Nissan has focused on redesigning the Magnite's plastic components for the facelift. The fog lamp housings could be repositioned or omitted altogether, following the footsteps of cost-cutting automakers. Additionally, new alloy wheels and color options are expected to enhance the visual appeal. By preserving the successful design while introducing thoughtful updates, Nissan aims to strike a balance between familiarity and freshness for the facelifted Magnite.

Also Read:: Nissan Tama Electric Car Production Ignites in 1947, Pioneering a Visionary Brand

One of the most prominent visual distinctions is the updated front bumper bar that has been equipped with the silver trimmed bull-bar like fashion, which has become popular among the buyers of the current time. The particular variant that was captured at Bharat NCAP testing facility, which appears to be an intermediate model, could be conducting crash tests.

The Mechanics 

The Magnite facelift is unlikey to get any mechanical changes and hence would carry on with the 1.0 litre petrol engines which produces 72hp and 96Nm, for the standard petrol engine, and 100hp and 160Nm for the turbo version. The engines are likely to be coupled by the same 5-speed manual and AMT gearboxes as seen on the current variants of the Magnite.

CarBike 360 Says:

On the whole, Nissan has stuck to the tried and tested formula with the Magnite Facelift though it could have taken some risks. The rational decision is to retain the successful design formula, while incorporating a few new design features might go a long way in keeping the model attractive to consumers.