Renault Kwid AMT and 1000cc Variant to Unveil At 2016 Dehli Auto Expo

Renault Kwid, with over 70,000 bookings, has grabbed 10% market shares in the entry-level hatchback segment. The company sold 5,200 units of the vehicle in October, 2015 that further increased in November. Considering the massive demand, the waiting period of the vehicle has gone up to 10 month in certain tier-1 cities. Though, the French automaker has decided to increase the vehicle’s production by 50% (i.e. 8,000 – 10,000 units) in next 3 to 6 months. Just so you know, the Chennai flood caused a temporary production halt at the company’s Oragadam-based plant.

With aggressive pricing, the Kwid received an overwhelming response ever-since its launch in September, 2015. Besides the pricing, what further worked in favour of the vehicle are its contemporary styling and best-in-class fuel efficiency. Renault will unveil the hatchback’s two new variants – a more powerful 1.0-litre (1000cc) and an AMT-equipped – at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo in February. Both the new models are likely to be launched in the second half of 2016.

Renault Kwid AMT & 1000cc Variant Launch Date

The French automaker will unveil the hatchback’s AMT (automatic) and a more powerful 1000cc variants at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo. While, the launch will take place sometime in second half of 2016.

Renault Kwid AMT & 1000cc Variant Price

While the AMT (automated manual transmission) equipped variant of the vehicle is expected to be priced around Rs. 3 lakh, the more powerful 1000cc version might cost between Rs. 3.30 lakh – Rs. 3.50 lakh (ex-showroom).

Renault offers a warranty period of 2 years/ 50,000kms (whichever comes first) with the hatchback that can be extended up to 4 years/ 80,000kms. A complementary road side assistance for 2 years is also offered by the French carmaker. With 98% of localization level, this entry-level hatchback is claimed to offer the best-in-class maintenance part costs and low cost of ownership.

Renault Kwid Price

All prices are ex-showroom, Delhi.

Std – Rs. 2.57 lakh

RxE (O) – Rs. 2.89 lakh

RxE – Rs. 2.95 lakh

RxL –Rs. 3.11 lakh

RxT – Rs. 3.44 lakh

RxT (O) – Rs. 3.53 lakh

Renault’s new budget hatchback is available in four trim levels – Std, RxE, RxL and RxT – priced within the range of Rs. 2.57 lakh – Rs. 3.53 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). At this price, it competes against the Hyundai Eon, Maruti Alto 800, Chevrolet Beat and others in the league. Powering the vehicle is an all-new 53.2bhp, 799cc, 3-cylinder, DHOC petrol engine that is claimed to deliver the class-leading mileage of 25.17kmpl. This also makes it the country’s most fuel-efficient petrol car.

Transmitting power to the wheels is a new optimized 5-speed manual gearbox. The vehicle comes with a bunch of segment-first features, and offers a class-leading boot space (300-litres). This entry-level hatchback is based on an all new platform CMF-A, which has been jointly developed by the French carmaker and Nissan. The same platform will also be used for Datsun’s upcoming small car.

Exterior Styling

With crossover-like design and a ground clearance of 180mm, the small hatchback certainly looks more contemporary than most of its rivals. The front fascia of the car features a dual-slat grille, stylish fog lamps on the lower bumpers and sweptback headlights. The side profile gets black plastic cladding alongside rectangular-shaped wheel arches and manually-operated outside rear view mirrors.

From the rear side, the car looks like a crossover with a black trim rear bumper and body-coloured tailgate spoiler. This entry-level hatchback is the company’s first car to be based on the modular CMF-A platform. Its overall length, width and height measure 3,680mm, 1471mm and 1,580mm respectively. It offers best-in-class wheelbase of 2422mm, and a class-leading ground clearance of 180mm making it more capable for the Indian road conditions. The hatchback is available in 5 colour options – Moonlight Silver, Planet Grey, Outback Bronze, Ice Cool White and Fiery Red.

Interior & Features

From inside, the small hatchback looks as premium and sporty as its exterior. Thanks to its long wheelbase that makes it the most spacious car in its league. The vehicle also offers best-in-class shoulder room, headroom and legroom. The list of features includes a digital instrument cluster, chrome air vents, front power windows and optional driver airbag. It also hosts a bunch of segment-first features such as a 7-inch touchscreen display with and navigation system and integrated on centre console in piano black finishing and a fully digital instrument cluster. It comes with the segment-leading boot space of 300-litres.

This budget hatchback comes with a bunch of accessories that allows buyers to choose from over 60 categories and 6 packs. This is first-of-its-kind personalization level introduced by any manufacturer. These accessories come as paid options that are priced reasonably, and come under certain finance schemes. Some of the significant accessories include chrome accents for multiple places, side cladding, outside rear view mirror, Illuminated sill plates, roof rails, multiple options for seat covers, steering wheel cover and floor mats, etc.

Engine & Transmission

Powering the hatchback is an all-new 799cc, 3-cylinder, DOHC petrol engine that produces power worth of 53.2bhp against 72Nm of torque. Since the car features Renault-Nissan Family’s all-aluminum ‘super compact’ engine, it is the most fuel efficient as well. This powertrain is coupled to a new optimized 5-speed manual transmission that helps the car return a segment-leading fuel efficiency of 25.17kmpl.

What also helps the vehicle achieve such a high mileage is its weight of just 660kg thanks to the heavy use of aluminum, plastic and less oil levels in engine and gearbox. Since this engine is jointly developed by French automaker and Nissan, it will be used for Dastun’s upcoming small car as well.

Renault Kwid Mileage, Specs, Variant-Wise Features, Colors & Dimensions

Mileage

25.17kmpl (best-in-class)

Engine Details
Engine Type – BR-8, 3-cylinder, DOHC petrol
Displacement – 799cc
Power – 53.2bhp @ 5678rpm
Torque – 72Nm @ 4386rpm
Transmission – 5-speed manual

Variant-Wise Features

Std
– Roof spoiler
– Black front & rear bumpers
– Steel wheels
– Grey upholstery
– Dashboard in single-tone
– Digital instrument cluster with gear-shit indicator
– Open glove-box
– Driver-side outside rear-view mirror
– Manual steering

RxE (In addition to features offered with Std )
– Air-conditioner
– Optional music system with Bluetooth and hands-free telephony
– Lockable glove-box
– Engine immobilizer
– 12v charging slot
– Dashboard in silver satin finish
– Foldable rear seat

RxL (In addition to features offered with RxE)
– Body-coloured front and rear bumpers
– Blackened B-Pillar
– Blackened steel wheels
– Passenger-side wing mirror
– Red upholstery
– 1-din audio system with Bluetooth support
– 2 speakers
– Power steering

RxT (In addition to features offered with RxL)
– Fog lamps at front
– Chrome-finished instrument cluster
– Leather-wrapped steering
– Optional driver airbag
– Chrome elements on AC vents
– Trip metre
– Parcel tray for rear passengers
– Central locking
– Media navigation pack
– Front wiper with washer

Color Options – Moonlight Silver, Planet Grey, Outback Bronze, Ice Cool White and Fiery Red.

Dimensions
Length – 3680mm
Width – 1580mm
Height – 1471mm
Wheelbase – 2422mm
Ground Clearance – 180mm

Styling Elements
– Sweptback headlamps
– Dual-slat grille
– Stylish Fog lamps
– Plastic cladding on sides
– Manually-operated outside rear view mirrors
– Rectangular-shaped black wheel arches
– 13-14 inch wheels
– Rear bumper with a black trim
– Body-coloured tailgate spoiler

Comfort & Safety Features
– Digital instrument cluster
– Best-in-class ground clearance
– Piano black centre console with a chorme-surround
– MediaNAV with navigation functions and radio and Bluetooth connectivity
– First-in-segment 7-inches touch-screen
– Front power windows, chrome air vents
– Optional driver airbag

Pros
– Outstanding design
– Most Spacious Interior in its class
– Highest power-to-weight ratio in its class
– First-in-class touchscreen infotainment system
– Highest ground clearance in class
– Class-leading boot space of 300-litres

Cons
– Almost no safety features except the optional driver airbag on top-end variant
– Least torque in its class