Renault Kwid India, Price, Review by AutoPortal

September 2, 2015

Author: Roman Dhiman

The year 2015 has been a bumper month for car launches with leading automakers coming out with new models. Even as the year has reached the half mark, the motor industry sector in India is booming.

With the Diwali season approaching, Renault is gearing to take advantage of the festivities, along with all the other automakers. Renault is all set to launch its new car Kwid - an entry level crossover hatchback. Dealers have started accepting bookings in some cities. The booking amount for the Renault Kwid varies from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 depending on the location of the dealerships.

Renault had unveiled its small hatchback for the Indian market, the Kwid, in Chennai earlier this year. As many Spy pictures keep surfacing on the net, it can be concluded that it is ready to be launched. The upcoming car will be manufactured at Nissan-Renault’s facility near Chennai. When launched, it will take on the likes of Maruti Alto 800 and Hyundai Eon.

Though an entry level car, the Kwid looks more like a crossover with its high set bonnet and plastic cladding. Renault is promoting this upcoming model as a ‘micro SUV’.

The Renault Kwid will be powered by a 3-cylinder, 800 cc petrol motor developed by Renault Nissan Technology Business Centre India. The engine is expected to be cast out of aluminium, will be extremely compact and lightweight. The engine will return best in class mileage. The Kwid will be the first of many models based on Renault-Nissan’s jointly developed CMF-A platform. This platform is also set to underpin another small car by Datsun based on the Redi-GO concept. Transmission options on offer will be a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT. Considering the engine specification; one can expect it to reach a top speed of approximately 110 to 120 Kmph. It could reach a 100 kmph speed mark in about 20 seconds. One can expect it to produce a maximum mileage of about 26 Kmpl.

It is anticipated that the front axle might have a McPherson strut, while the rear one could have torsion beam type of system.

The Kwid will come with all the features that one can expect from a small hatchback. However, the highlight of the Kwid’s features list will be the Renault Media NAV, which includes FM Radio, Sat-Nav, Bluetooth and a 7-inch touch screen interface. The latest spy shots shows that the Kwid gets roof rails, alloy wheels, fog lamps, and chrome embellishments all around. It also will feature some of the first-in-class features like driver side airbag (optional).

The Renault Kwid India launch is expected to take place around the festive season this year and will carry a starting price tag of just around Rs. 3.0 lakh (ex-showroom)