Riding high on the success of the Kwid, Renault is planning to launch at least 3 new cars in India next year. If media reports are to be believed, the company will stop selling the Fluence and the Koleos in the country. Adding to it, the French automaker plans to launch a sub-compact SUV to rival the Maruti Vitara Brezza and the Ford EcoSport. As a reminder, the much-awaited Renault Kaptur crossover will be launched during the festive season, 2017. Read More – Complete List Of Upcoming Renault Cars In India
Speaking to ET Auto, Sumit Sahney, Renault India CEO and Managing Director, said that the company has decided not to sell semi-knocked down cars with less than 80 per cent local content in the country. The report further suggests that the sub-4 metre SUV is expected to be launched in 2017. Speculations were on rife that the small SUV will be based on the Kwid platform, but new reports suggest that the SUV could be based on the new CMF-B platform. The same platform is also being used to develop the new generation Nissan Micra hatchback.
The small SUV will be the company’s global product, which will be slotted below the Renault Captur. Currently, the Captur is the company’s smallest crossover measuring 4.12 meter in length. Previous reports suggested that the SUV could be based on the Clio platform; however, nothing official has been revealed by the maker so far. Read More – Renault Kaptur Crossover Launch & Other Details
The Renault’s sub-compact SUV is expected to be offered in both petrol and diesel fuel options. While the petrol version could get a 1.2-litre unit, the oil burner is likely to be a 1.5-litre TDI unit. Transmission options are likely to include a 5-speed manual and an AMT unit.
Coming back to the Kwid, the small car has received an excellent response from car buyers. The company has sold a total of 91,702 cars during April-November 2016. Interestingly, Renault also plans to launch a sub-4 metre sedan based on the Kwid hatchback.
Source – ET Auto
