Renault Kwid launched at Rs 2.56 lakh

Renault has launched the Kwid in India for Rs 2.56 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). This was a global launch of the new small compact hatchback that will also be exported to other emerging markets soon. It competes with the Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 and the Hyundai Eon.

Renault has marked its entry into the entry-level hatchback segment with the launch of the Kwid which they are promoting as a modern, bold and aggressive vehicle. It is based on the modular CMF-A platform making it the first Renault car to be based on it. The car does look impressive with its fascia sporting a black grille and headlamps that are inspired from the larger SUVs from Renault. This aggressive design of the Kwid is inspired by Renault's global design language. Though it is a compact-sized vehicle, the body cladding and bulky wheel arches give it a muscular look.

The Kwid can be personalised with different accessories that further take the styling quotient a notch higher. And it is not just the exterior, but Renault has provided this option of customisation with its interior as well. The cabin boasts of an impressive equipment and feature list, which is something that no other car from the company's car line-up gets as of now. Many features like a seven-inch infotainment system and Sat-Nav are a segment first. The car gets a digital instrument cluster as a standard feature, but airbags are optional.

The Kwid will be offered only with a petrol engine option that comes mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. The hatchback is powered by a 799cc three-cylinder petrol mill that churns out 53bhp of power and 72Nm of torque. Thanks to the lightweight construction, the car weighs only 660kg and Renault has been able to get a fuel efficiency of 25.1kmpl from this car.

The Renault Kwid is manufactured at the Chennai production facility under the Renault-Nissan alliance. The manufacturer has made significant cost savings due to the CMF-A platform and with 98 per cent localisation, the company has been able to rate the car with such an aggressive price tag.

Our first drive impressions

How the Renault Kwid weighs up against competition

The variant-wise pricing of the car is as follows.

Renault Kwid STD - Rs 2.56 lakh

Renault Kwid RxE - Rs 2.89 lakh

Renault Kwid RxE (optional) - Rs 2.95 lakh

Renault Kwid RxL - Rs 3.12 lakh

Renault Kwid RxT - Rs 3.44 lakh

Renault Kwid RxT (optional) - Rs 3.53 lakh