Renault RBC MPV continues testing in India

-    Codenamed RBC, the new seven-seater MPV from Renault is a rival to the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga.

-    Expected to arrive later this year, perhaps around the festive season.

-    New spy shots reveal alloy wheel design and near production-ready body. 

Renault is prepping up an all-new rival to the well-established Ertiga. Codenamed the RBC, the seven-seater MPV was spotted recently with almost production ready body and a new set of alloy wheels. 

The RBC was previously seen with LED day-time-running lights but had rudimentary steel wheels. Now, the new test mule was riding on multi-spoke, stylish alloy wheels. Based on the same CMF-A platform as the Kwid, the RBC appears to be much smaller than the Lodgy and even the segment leader, the Ertiga. The fascia is still heavily cladded but presumably, the overall design will be akin to the Renault family face. Which means it will have a wing-type nose grille and LED strips underlining the headlamps. The silhouette appears to be rounded off to make more cabin space since the MPV is likely to measure under four metres. The test mule was also hiding roof rails under the cladding.

The cabin pictures from the earlier spotting have already revealed a black and silver interior with a chrome outline for the instrument cluster. The cluster looks similar to the one seen on the Captur and Duster but is expected to lose out on some features to keep the cost down. The third row in the cabin might not be the best in space for adults, however, with the last row folded down, it could have adequate boot space. 

Powering the new MPV will be a choice of both petrol and diesel engines. The petrol unit from the Datsun Go, which is the 1.2-litre, is expected to make its way under the hood of the RBC, while the oil burner will be the bigger 1.5-litre motor which does duty in the Duster. Transmission could be a five-speed manual while the AMT will be offered as an option.

When launched, the RBC will be positioned between the Kwid and the Duster and go up against the likes of Maruti Ertiga and Honda BR-V in the Indian car market. The yet-to-be-named MPV is expected to be priced between Rs 6-10 lakhs. 

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