Renault Kwid First Review

Renault first showcased the Kwid in concept form at the 2014 Auto Expo. Less than 4 metres in length the Kwid concept was to be the French car maker’s entry into the small car business. But when they official unveiled the production version sometime back, it came out in a form not many would have thought of.

Looks: Now the Kwid will mark Renault’s entry into the compact hatchback segment and will compete against the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Alto and the Hyundai Eon, but it looks like none of the offering in its class. The Kwid with its high bonnet that leads into the large front grille and muscular headlights on either side of it looks menacing. The huge front bumper holds circular fog lamps and the air dam.  Much like the Duster, the Kwid too flaunts bulky wheel arches in profile but this one is complimented well by body cladding running down the sides. The rear too with its clean yet rugged design goes well with the overall design.

Interiors: While the exterior design is rugged, the dashboard too looks pretty well built, especially for an entry-level car. The three-spoke all-black steering wheel flaunts the big chrome Renault logo. Despite bring a low-cost car, the Renault Kwid sports an all digital instrument cluster behind the wheel.  And then there is the touchscreen infotainment system that is expected to come with phone connectivity, Radio as well as navigation in the higher variants. The Kwid will be the first car to based on Renault’s new CMF-A platform and offers ample of space in front and back. In fact the boot space seems to be the best in the segment.  

Engine: Under the hood, the Renault Kwid will get an all-new 800cc three-cylinder petrol motor. Now Renault hasn’t revealed its power and torque ratings as yet but claims that its efficiency will be among the best in its class. With four-valves per cylinder and twin-cam the engine is expected to be fairly powerful as well, especially when compared with the other cars in the segment. The car will come mated to a newly developed five-speed gearbox and is expected to be launched with an AMT option later on.

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Price:  Knowing that the segment is a hard one to break into with established manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai, Renault has taken a slightly different approach to its offering. First off, they have given it a crossover like design and to make things a little more intense, its price is expected to be in the Rs 3-4 lakh range. Expected to be launched in the festive season later this year, the Renault Kwid will be an interesting entry in the compact hatchback segment and is sure to set new benchmarks.