As the name suggests, the Datsun GO live is based on the popular Datsun GO. However, it’s obvious at first sight that this compact hatchback is something altogether different – created specifically for young Indonesians who see customizing vehicles as a way of life.
“If the GO live could be summed up in a single word, it would be “freestyle,” said Kei Kyu, Datsun’s executive design director. “The car reflects the fun, expressive and liberating attitude that Indonesian car enthusiasts have toward their vehicles. Jakarta is such an exciting place, and we wanted to capture the power and passion of the city with this car,” Kyu said. “The GO live was created to show the `freestyle’ mindset of young Indonesian drivers, as well as the diverse character of the GO itself. In short, it’s meant to be fun, upbeat and cool.”
It’s obvious at first glance that the GO live’s exterior has been created to directly reflect the fashion mindset and culture among today’s young Indonesians. For example, the camouflage-style paint scheme is based on colors and patterns found on many of today’s trendy clothes, shoes and accessories. The bright yellow accents throughout the body make the concept car stand out in any crowd.
The GO live’s dramatic body style exudes a totally different personality from the Datsun GO, turning the compact 5-door hatchback into a confidence-inspiring and vigorous road machine. The front fascia is now characterized by a large, bold hexagonal grille and slim, canted headlights. Bulging fender flares, inspired by Datsun’s design heritage, give the car a wide, muscular stance.
The GO live’s unconventional silhouette is tall and sleek. Its main intention is to provide a fun, personalized mode of transportation, and stepping into and out of the vehicle is a breeze thanks to its high roofline and floor – not to mention large front and rear doors. To complement its elevated stance, the GO live comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, featuring yellow spokes to match the body accents. Kyu said he chose the wheels, and tires with large profiles, to showcase the diverse nature of the GO live – giving the vehicle a “big boots” image rather than a “racing” image.
That said, the sporty side skirts provide plenty of flair when seen in profile. The rear sits high, giving the impression that the GO live is constantly moving forward. It’s highlighted by large, square tail lights, a thick rear bumper and a flamboyant, roof-mounted rear wing.
“We didn’t want to just have a sporty execution of the design – like having it sit low to the ground and extra wide – because that’s so typical and predictable in today’s world,” Kyu said. “Instead, we wanted to show that this car makes a strong design statement to our customers, who express themselves through their vehicles and help them celebrate their passions.”
Although the GO live was designed with Indonesian customers in mind, Kyu said the car is for anyone in the world who loves to spend weekends actively – whether that consist of going on a long leisurely drive or spending the day at the mall.
“While this exciting vehicle is mainly a styling exercise – something that hints at the design language of future Datsun models – it’s really something that serves as a valuable partner for the owner and celebrates his or her individual tastes and lifestyle,” Kyu said.