Renault Kwid Launched - Prices and Details

Renault has just launched the Kwid in India. The car starts at 2.57 lakh rupees ex-showroom Delhi, and this is the lowest price ever that a Renault has sold for in India. The Kwid is powered by an 800cc petrol engine, and competes with the Maruti Alto and the Hyundai Eon. The car is the most fuel efficient in its segment, at 25.17 Kmpl. It’s the lightest in the country, weighing just 660 kilograms. Bookings are already on and the car will be delivered next month. The Kwid sells in six variants. Standard – 2.57 lakhs, RxE – 2.89 lakhs, RxL – 2.95 lakhs, RxL Option Pack – 3.12 lakhs, RxT – 3.44 lakhs and RxT Option Pack – 3.53 lakhs.

After the Kwid, Renault may no longer be a one-trick pony, for the car’s pricing has taken everyone by pleasant surprise. The car is likely to outsell the Duster, and the second hot selling Renault in India. Maruti Suzuki’s Alto may have something to worry about, as the response to the muscular looking Kwid has been nothing short of phenomenal.

Coming to what the new K(w)id on the block offers, performance comes from an 800 cc, triple cylinder petrol engine that makes 53 Bhp and 72 Nm. Paired to a 5 speed manual gearbox, this motor turns the front wheels. The Kwid’s super low weight of 660 kilograms means that it’s peppy yet very fuel efficient, at 25.17 Kmpl.

The Kwid has generously proportioned dimensions. Measuring 3,679 mm long, 1,579 mm wide, 1,471 mm tall and with a 2,423 mm wheelbase, the new Renault hatch is larger than the Alto, Eon, and wait-till-you-hear-this, the WagonR. That makes this car very spacious – a top selling point. Butch looks and the 180 mm ground clearance means that many have already calling the Kwid, a mini SUV.

A power steering and a three point seatbelts are standard across all variants. The top end variant of the Kwid is equipped with a driver airbag and a touch screen infotainment system that features navigation, the stereo and Bluetooth connect for calling and music. The instrumentation is a fully digital unit, which is a first-in-class feature. The interiors of the Kwid are contemporary and cheery.

Also read – 10 things you really need to know about the Kwid

Based on the CMF-A platform, the Kwid is a global car that will soon be exported to emerging markets. Built at the Renault-Nissan joint manufacturing facility at Oragadam, the Kwid features a localization of 98 %. This localization is expected to make for very affordable spare part costs. The car also features many new weight reduction ideas, ones that the entire car industry eventually adopts.

Also see – The Kwid is make-or-break for Renault in India – Here’s why

Renault still need to put more dealerships on the map though. The automaker is still stuck with 157 dealers. Maruti has 10 times more than that and Hyundai, 3 times more. For the low cost Kwid to succeed and sustain the good initial run, the French automaker really needs to appoint more dealers, quickly, especially in Tier II and Tier III cities.