Renault Kwid 1.0L variant could be available with AMT, ABS and Dual Airbags by mid-2016 according to rumours
Renault Kwid is a global small car that has been built on a CMF-A platform. This versatile architecture is used worldwide to underpin the Kwid based on the needs of the particular market Renault has ventured in. Reports emerged upon the Kwid’s launch in the last week of September that ABS would be offered only if it’s feasible for the domestic market and regulations suggest the technology is mandatory.
In some South American markets, it’s being offered as standard but Renault were sceptical over whether Indian buyers would like to pay extra premium for ABS and thus made it available on the top-end variant as optional extra. The single airbag system offered on the top-of-the-line RxT variant is being sold at a price tag of Rs. 3.53 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
Some customers are reported to have felt dissatisfaction over the single airbag unit but if recent report on Motorbeam is anything to go by, Renault could offer ABS as well as Dual airbags in the powerful 1.0L variant. The report goes on to say Renault is preparing Kwid to stand on par with the competition by offering ABS and Dual Airbags as standard across all variants and to comply with stringent 2017 Bharat NVSAP regulations.
The Renault Kwid 1.0L variant will be the powerful engine to be featured on the small car and is more likely to be launched in mid-2016. The Kwid’s current rivals are Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 and Hyundai Eon but the 1.0L variant will take on slightly higher positioned Alto K10 and Eon 1.0L version.
The 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, petrol engine could be the one found under the bonnet of the Brazil-spec Kwid that produces 77hp mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The probability of an AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) coupled with that power unit is highly likely as Renault is gearing up to introduce automatic gearbox on its highly appreciable Duster SUV come next year.
The revolutionary Renault Kwid hatchback is currently being propelled by a 799cc three-cylinder petrol unit developing 54hp of maximum power at 5,700rpm and 72Nm of peak torque at 4,400rpm. This mill mated to a five-speed manual transmission is the most efficient petrol engine in the country at a claimed 25.17kmpl.
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