French automaker, Renault is currently selling 3 cars – the Kwid, Triber MPV and the Kiger – in the Indian market. The company won’t have a new product for the next 1 year in our market. However, it is preparing at least 3 new cars which will be launched in our market in 2025-26. The company will launch two new SUVs and an all-new entry-level electric hatchback.
New Duster
Renault’s sibling brand, Dacia has revealed the third generation Duster mid-sized SUV for the European markets. Renault will also introduce the new Duster mid-sized SUV in the markets where Dacia is not present. It will be built on the Alliance’s CMF-B modular platform that underpins the Sandero and the Jogger in the International markets. Renault claims that the modular platform allows the engineers to create more space inside the cabin. It will also receive several premium features including a large freestanding touchscreen infotainment unit, a digital instrument console, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, cruise control, automatic AC, electric parking brake and others.
The new gen Renault Duster is also equipped with advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) with features like automatic emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, lane keep assist and driver attention alert. The new model is expected to receive strong hybrid petrol and mild hybrid petrol engines.
New 7-Seater SUV
The French automaker is also preparing to launch a new 3-row SUV, which will be based on the Duster’s CMF-B modular platform. It is likely to be the production version of the Dacia Bigster concept. The new model will be positioned against the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV700, Hyundai Alcazar and the Jeep Meridian. It will ride on a longer wheelbase compared to the third-gen Duster. The longer wheelbase will allow Renault engineers to create more space to accommodate third-row seat. It is likely to receive strong hybrid petrol and mild hybrid petrol engines.
New Electric Hatchback
Renault is developing an entry-level electric hatchback for the Indian market. This entry-level hatchback will be based on the CMF-AEV platform, which will also underpin Nissan’s entry-level electric hatch for India. It is most likely to be the Kwid EV, which is already on sale in select international markets. The CMF-A EV platform has compact electric components and allows to form a large wheelbase and a flat floor. It doesn’t have a transmission tunnel that enables to maximize capacity better than other vehicles with similar lengths. The Kwid EV features a 26.8kWh battery pack and delivers a claimed range of 271km (NEDC cycle) in the city.
