Renault confirms Kwid-platform based compact MPV for India

Renault will build a sub-4 meter MPV for the Indian market based on the CMF-A platform. This is a low cost platform that the Kwid and Datsun Redi-GO presently use. Currently, the only sub-4 meter MPV in India is the Datsun Go+ but it’s based on the Nissan V-Platform. The new compact MPV that Renault is developing will be launched in India during 2019.

Thierry Bolloré, Chief Competitive Officer of Groupe Renault, said this,

We will launch a compact MPV in the Indian market, a car to transport many adults but in less than 4 metres length.

Renault’s attempt to crack the MPV segment in India has not been a successful one. The Lodgy – based on the Duster B0 platform – is a poor seller. The new MPV will however, be positioned in a completely new segment. It will be a low cost vehicle that is meant to carve out a new niche for the company. Engine and transmission details are not known for now. However, we feel that both petrol and diesel engines will be offered on the new MPV.

Another important detail is that the MPV will seat 7 people. But it’s sub-4 meter length means that it could more like the Datsun Go+ in terms of interior space. This means that the third row of seats may be adequate only for kids or very small built adults. Buyers of such vehicles generally use them as five seaters, and fold down the last row of seats to carry more luggage. This is something that could happen with the new Renault compact MPV as well.

The French automaker plans to launch one new product each year, in a different segment. The next launch for the French company will be a premium crossover, called the Captur. It will be launched in the next few days, and will be priced above the Duster SUV. Other cars from Renault for India include the new Duster – launching in late 2018 – a new Compact MPV that we have detailed above for 2019, and a Kwid based compact SUV for 2020. By 2022, Renault is also expected to launch an electric variant of the Kwid.

Via IAB