Nissan names new India MPV ‘GRAVITE’, eyes March 2026 launch to revive sales

Nissan Motor India officially christened its upcoming seven-seater compact MPV as the Nissan GRAVITE today, confirming plans to unveil the model in January 2026 ahead of a commercial launch in March.

The announcement marks a critical juncture for the Japanese automaker, which has relied almost exclusively on the Magnite SUV to sustain its Indian operations for nearly five years. The GRAVITE is the first of three new locally manufactured models under Nissan’s “The Arc” business plan, which aims to leverage India as a strategic manufacturing hub for both domestic growth and global exports.

Tax advantage strategy

Built on the alliance’s CMF-A+ platform—shared with the Renault Triber—the GRAVITE is strategically engineered as a sub-four-meter vehicle. This allows it to capitalize on the “GST 2.0” regime implemented in September 2025.

Under these new tax guidelines, the GST rate for small passenger cars (petrol engines under 1200cc and length under 4 meters) was slashed from 29% (28% GST + 1% cess) to a flat 18%. Analysts expect this 11% tax reduction to allow Nissan to price the GRAVITE aggressively, potentially undercutting rivals in the entry-level MPV segment currently dominated by Maruti Suzuki’s Ertiga and Renault’s Triber.

Modular design for families

Positioned as a budget-friendly people mover, the GRAVITE focuses on versatility. Nissan confirmed the vehicle will feature modular seating with a removable third row, catering to large Indian families who require flexible cargo space.

Design-wise, the MPV distinguishes itself from its Renault sibling with Nissan’s signature V-motion grille, C-shaped LED daytime running lights, and a more muscular hood. Production will take place at the Chennai plant, which became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Renault Group in July 2025, though it continues to manufacture for both brands under a long-term contract.

Network expansion

“The GRAVITE is a pivotal step in our transformation,” said Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director of Nissan India. To support the launch, the company is aggressively expanding its retail footprint, targeting 250 touchpoints by 2027, up from the current 170.

Following the GRAVITE, Nissan plans to unveil the Tekton, a 5-seater C-segment SUV, in February 2026, followed by a larger 7-seater flagship SUV in early 2027.

Summary

Nissan has officially named its upcoming seven-seater MPV for the Indian market the GRAVITE, with a full reveal set for January 2026 and sales beginning in March. Built on the CMF-A+ platform in Chennai, the sub-4-meter vehicle is strategically positioned to benefit from India’s new 18% GST 2.0 rate. The GRAVITE is the first of three major releases under Nissan’s “The Arc” recovery plan, aimed at tripling sales and expanding the brand’s dealership network to 250 outlets by 2027.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the Nissan GRAVITE? 

It is a new 7-seater compact MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) based on the CMF-A+ platform. It is designed to be an affordable, spacious, and fuel-efficient family car, competing directly with the Renault Triber and Maruti Suzuki Ertiga.

Q2: When can I buy it? 

The car will be fully revealed in January 2026. Official prices will be announced and sales will commence in March 2026.

Q3: Why is the price expected to be low? 

The GRAVITE benefits from the GST 2.0 reform (Sept 2025), which reduced taxes on sub-4-meter petrol cars to 18%. This allows for a projected starting price between ₹6.0 lakh and ₹9.0 lakh (ex-showroom).

Q4: Where is it made? 

It will be manufactured at the Renault-owned plant in Oragadam, Chennai. While ownership of the plant shifted to Renault in mid-2025, it remains the primary production base for all Nissan India models.

Q5: What comes after the GRAVITE? 

Nissan has confirmed two more SUVs: the Tekton (a C-SUV rival to the Hyundai Creta) with a reveal set for February 2026, and a larger 7-seater SUV scheduled for 2027.