Renault Kwid 1.0-litre Launch In August 2016

During the 2016 Auto Expo, Renault India had confirmed that a 1.0-litre variant of the KWID will be launched. According to a PTI report, Renault India is targeting to expand their market share to 5 per cent in the entry level hatchback segment by the end of this year. With the launch of the 1.0-litre KWID, their sales figures will touch new heights.

The KWID in its present form is fetching good sales numbers for the company. They have sold close to 75,000 units since its launch in September last year. Currently, it is on offer with a three-cylinder 799cc petrol engine which produces 54PS of power and 72Nm of torque. It is one of the most fuel-efficient cars in India, with an average of 25.2 kmpl. Although, the official facts and figures have not been released yet, it is expected that the 1.0-litre engine will produce around 66PS of power and will be capable of delivering similar fuel efficiency figures as the 799cc motor. The new engine is also expected to be mated with an AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) unit.

With the new engine under the hood, the KWID will enter a competitive territory dominated by the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10, followed by the 1.0-litre Hyundai Eon. No official announcement has been made for the prices yet for the KWID 1.0-litre, but a competitive price list is a must for Renault India to capture the market share further. We expect a price list ranging from Rs 3.4 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the entry level 1.0-litre engine variant to Rs 4.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the top-spec version. The Duster was a game changer for Renault and the KWID only strengthened the brand’s presence in the Indian automotive market. The KWID 1.0-litre is surely the next step for Renault India to assert actual pressure on the established marques.