Renault Kwid-based RBC MPV: What it’ll look like

Renault will launch an Kwid-based MPV in India next year. The MPV is expected to be a compact model, much smaller than the Lodgy. The Lodgy has not been very successful for the company in India. So, the new MPV, which is codenamed the RBC will Renault’s second attempt to succeed in the people mover market here. Here is a speculative render of the upcoming vehicle.

It will use the CMF-A platform of the Kwid but will have a longer wheelbase. We expect seating for seven adults, and the vehicle may be similar to the Datsun Go+ in size. Renault will keep the length to under 4 meters to qualify for excise duty benefits.

This length limitation also means that the engines of the new RBC MPV will have to be under 1.2 liters for petrol and 1.5 liters for diesel. The company may use the 1 liter engine that is offered with the Kwid 1.0. This engine produces 67 Bhp and 91 Nm. There are no details yet about the diesel engine.

Five speed manual and AMT gearbox options are expected to be offered with the new MPV. It will be a low cost model meant for buyers who are looking for a spacious vehicle to move their entire family. The MPV may be pacakaged as a 5+2 seater, with the last two seats meant only for kids.

Most buyers may prefer to fold down the last seats and carry luggage instead. The Kwid is the least priced car that Renault sells in India. The new RBC MPV is expected to be priced between the Kwid and the Duster. We expect prices to start from well under Rs. 5 lakhs.

The RBC will be manufactured at Oragadam, near Chennai, where Renault and Nissan have a joint manufacturing facility. The MPV’s design inputs are said to come from Renault’s design studio in India. There is no news of Datsun (Nissan’s low cost car brand) building a similar MPV because the Go+ already exists in its line up.

Via IAB