Nissan Tekton finally in South Africa with a tough task ahead of it

Described as one of its most important new models to date well before its global launch in India in July, the Tekton arrives in South Africa at a crucial time for Nissan. A key new arrival The first model to arrive on local soil as part of its RE:NISSAN restructuring plan, South Africa also becomes the first export nation to receive the Tekton, which Nissan says emphasis Republic’s standing as one of its most important markets. Set to be exported to 50 countries in both right-and-left-hand drive, the Tekton is the result of Nissan’s alliance with Renault in that is essentially a badge-engineered version of the Indian-produced Duster that went on sale last month in place of the previous Romanian sourced model.

Rear-end design, despite the Nissan specific changes, still resembles that of the Duster. Picture: Charl Bosch While based on the same CMF-B platform, the Tekton is said to have undergone a number of changes dynamically, to differentiate itself from its siblings. At the same time, it also said to be more premium with a Nissan-specific interior and an expanded array of features, some not available on any version of the Renault.

Assembled at Renault’s Chennai plant, the Tekton’s launch in Midrand this week represents Nissan’s commitment to the local market in spite of claims alleging its imminent departure, following the end of more than six decades of local production earlier this year. The obvious comparison Identical dimensionally to the Duster, the Tekton’s main differences involve an exterior design said to have been inspired by the Y63 Patrol that South Africa will be privy to next year. As such, the restyling consists of new headlights with inverted L-shaped LEDs, a new grille complete with an illuminated strip underneath the bonnet line, a model specific front bumper and imitation skidplate, and a new lower air intake.

Variants from the Acenta to the depicted Tekna+ all ride on 18-inch alloy wheels. Picture: Charl Bosch The Tekton also receives a new bonnet, complete with block letter TEKTON badging, and at the rear, a new bumper and faux skidplate, block letter Tekton badging at the base of the tailgate, a revised bumper and new LED light clusters connected by a central LED strip. Its dimension similarities with the Duster translate to the same 212mm of ground clearance and a boot capacity of between 700 and 1 789 litres.