Renault Kwid

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Renault Kwid (BW)
Renault Kwid 2017 in Montevideo (front).jpg
Renault Kwid (Uruguay)
Overview
ManufacturerRenault
Production2015–present
Assembly
Body and chassis
ClassEntry-level crossover (A)
Body style5-door hatchback
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
PlatformRenault CMF-A platform
Related
Powertrain
Engine
  • Petrol:
  • 799 cc BR08DE I3
  • 999 cc BR10DE I3
Power output33 kW (44 hp) (0.8)
50 kW (67 hp) (1.0)
Transmission5-speed manual
5-speed Easy-R automated manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,422 mm (95.4 in)
Length3,679–3,740 mm (144.8–147.2 in)
Width1,579 mm (62.2 in)
Height1,478 mm (58.2 in)
Curb weight775 kg (1,709 lb)

The Renault Kwid is an entry-level crossover[1] produced by the French car manufacturer Renault, initially intended for the Indian market and launched in 2015.[2][3][4] In 2017, a revised version was introduced for Latin American markets. The Renault City K-ZE, an electric car built on the Kwid, was launched in 2019 in China.

Development[]

The Kwid was developed under the project code BBA. It is the first car to be based on the new CMF-A platform jointly developed by Renault and Nissan.[2] It is slightly longer but narrower than Renault's smallest conventional vehicle, the Twingo[3] with a high sitting position and a 180 mm (7.1 in) ride height.

The car was designed by an engineers' team settled in India led by Gérard Detourbet, a senior engineer, former mathematician described as "an innovation a minute" who led the development team for the first-generation Dacia Logan.[5]

Market versions[]

Rear view

Indian version[]

The Kwid was unveiled at Chennai on 20 May 2015 by Renault's CEO Carlos Ghosn.[3] Ghosn said the car would be "a game changer for Renault in India." The car has 98% of parts localisation and extensive engineering by local Renault's personnel.[6][7] The Kwid is aimed at competing with other small cars within the Indian market, as the Suzuki Alto,[2] and incorporates uncommon equipment for its segment such as a digital instrument cluster and a multimedia touchscreen.

In September 2015, the Kwid was launched in India at a starting price of 2.57 lakh rupees,[8] equal to $3,884. Sales started in September and had a "flying start" of 25,000 bookings in 2 weeks and 50,000 in 5 weeks,[9][10] then 70,000 in 2 months, getting 10% of effective market shares in its segment.[11][12]

At launch, the only engine available was a single three-cylinder, 799 cc unit with a 54 hp (40 kW) power output and 72 N⋅m (53 lb⋅ft) torque, coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission. According to the Indian newspaper The Financial Express, Kwid's 300-litre boot space is "the most voluminous in its class" and its fuel efficiency is "class-leading", at 25.17 km/L (59.2 mpg‑US).[13] In August 2016, the Kwid received a more powerful 1.0-liter engine.[14] The Kwid 1.0 is powered by a 999 cc engine which churns out 68 hp (50 kW) of power and 91 N⋅m (67 lb⋅ft) of peak torque.[15]

The Renault Kwid received a minor update in July 2018. It gets new features such as pretensioner front seat-belts, two additional USB sockets, a rear armrest, a new grille and two new colour schemes. The Dacia Easy-R 5-speed automated manual transmission became available on Indian market Kwid models.[16]

Brazilian version[]

2019 Renault Kwid Outsider (Colombia)

In 2017, a heavily revised version of the Kwid started production at the Renault's Renault do Brasil plant in Brazil. To comply with stricter Brazilian regulations, the localised version has various structural reinforcements and four airbags as standard which made its weight go up 88 kg compared to the Indian version. This version only offers a 1.0-litre inline-three petrol engine.[17] It was also introduced to the Mexican market in May 2019, in the Intens, Iconic and Outsider trim levels. For Mexico, a Bitono trim level was added on 10 November 2020, with the main difference having a black roof and can be ordered in the Marfil (Ivory), Rojo Fuego (Fire Red), and Naranja Ocre (Ocher Orange) colours. It is identical to the Outsider trim level and is positioned above said trim.[18]

Safety[]

At tests conducted in 2016, the Indian version of the Kwid scored a 0-star rating from British agency Global NCAP, a rating also achieved by many entry-level competitors in the Indian market, including localised versions of the Suzuki Alto, the Hyundai Eon, the Tata Nano, the Suzuki Celerio and the Ford Figo.[19] The Kwid was also criticised for being one of the Indian models not having airbags as standard. Renault and other car manufacturers made objections to Global NCAP for its methodology and for ignoring India's own safety criteria.[20]

The Brazilian-built Kwid got a 3-star rating from Latin NCAP.[21]

Facelift (2019)[]

Facelift

The Kwid in its facelift form debuted in India in October 2019, with the exterior differences being the front grille and the wheels. The Kwid facelift also featured a larger 8.0 inch infotainment system equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and an optional passenger side front airbag.[22]

Sales[]

Year India South Africa Brazil Argentina Mexico Global
2015 17,933[23]
2016 105,745[24] 111,688[25]
2017 92,440[26] 8,027[27] 22,576[28] 430[29] 124,807[25]
2018 66,815[30] 9,695[31] 67,320[32] 22,578[29] 171,088[33]
2019 53,438[30] 11,848[34] 85,117[35] 12,058[36] 7,196[37] 183,989[33]
2020 37,927[38] 6,017[39] 49,476[40] 9,709[41]

Kwid-based electric models[]

Renault City K-ZE[]

Main article: Renault City K-ZE
Renault City K-ZE

The concept for the Renault City K-ZE was shown at the 2018 Paris Motor Show, and the final production model went on sale before the end of 2019.[42] Based on the Renault Kwid, the Renault City K-ZE is the result of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance's joint venture with Dongfeng, utilizing a variant of Renault-Nissan's CMF platform named CMF-A. The K-ZE is Renault's smallest electric vehicle, sitting beneath the Renault Zoe.[43] Rapid charging is capable to get 80% from flat in 50 minutes.

The Renault City K-ZE debuted in China in April 2019. In the front, the City K-ZE featured split headlamps consisting of LED daytime running lights, turning lights and positioning lights in the top portion and the main beam in the bottom portion. It also received tail lights with C-shaped LED light guides.[44]

The car is manufactured in a facility in Shiyan, Hubei owned by eGT New Energy Automotive, a joint venture between Dongfeng, Renault and Nissan.[45][46]

Sales in China started in 2019, and the vehicle is not currently sold in other markets. It is notable for its low price, starting at less than $8,700 after incentives.[47]

Specifications[]

The vehicle uses a 26.8 kWh lithium ion battery and is powered by a 44 hp (33 kW), 125 N⋅m (92 lb⋅ft) front-mounted electric motor driving the front wheels.

DC fast charging from 0% to 80% takes 50 minutes.[47]

Optional equipment includes an infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, a backup camera and manual air conditioning.[47] A smartphone app allows remote monitoring of the vehicle's status.[48]

Pricing and reception[]

...this entry-level electric vehicle (EV) looks set to become the real “Tesla Killer” simply because it’s the cheapest EV anywhere. The cheapest version of this Renault baby retails for a mere $8,700, or four times cheaper than the cheapest Tesla. Contrast that with the cheapest Tesla Model 3 with its $38,990 price tag and the $29,990 price for the Nissan Leaf...

the International Business Times[48]

With the price starting at 61,800 yuan ($8,650) after incentives,[47] this electric car is very cheap by Western standards.

The car represents a category of budget electric city cars popular in China, but practically nonexistent in the West; among these, it is probably the first one carrying a badge of a Western marque. Prices of EVs in general are much lower in China than in the US or Europe, and they exhibit a downward trend while in the West they show an upward trend: a report by JATO Dynamics shows that an all-electric car priced at $1 in 2011 would now cost $0.52 in China, but $1.42 in Europe and $1.55 in the US.[49]

The car was launched in China on September 10, 2019.[48]

The International Business Times wrote that it looks set to become the real "Tesla Killer" simply because of its low price,[48] while erroneously stating it's the cheapest EV in the world (there are even cheaper EVs in China).

Venucia e30[]

Venucia e30

Alongside the production version of the City K-ZE, Dongfeng Nissan showed off their version of an electric Kwid under the Venucia brand in the form of the e30.[50] The e30 is essentially a badge engineered City K-ZE, sharing the same basic powertrain and design. The e30 name was previously used on another badged engineered EV based on the first generation Nissan Leaf.

Dacia Spring Electric[]

Dacia Spring Electric
Main article: Dacia Spring Electric

In October 2019, Gilles Normand, head of the EV department in Renault, indicated that a version for Europe was in the works.[51][52] In March 2020, it was introduced as a Dacia Spring Electric concept for European market.[53][54][55] It was planned to be presented at the Geneva Motor Show 2020 but it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[56] It went on sale in Europe in 2021.[55]

Kwid concept[]

The Renault Kwid Concept at the 2014 São Paulo International Motor Show

The Renault Kwid concept was unveiled at the 2014 Auto Expo in India. The SUV-like concept incorporates a roof-mounted, remote-controlled quadcopter (called the "Flyer Companion"), butterfly doors and has large R16 wheels. According to Renault, the interior was "inspired by a nest" and has a 3-seat front and 2-seat rear arrangement.[57]

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External links[]

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