2016 Renault Kwid First Look [Pictures Galore]

Renault’s newest small car, the Kwid gets an SUV stance and certainly looks much better than what the competition has to offer.

After months of teasing its most affordable offering yet, Renault India has finally pulled the wraps of the ‘Kwid’ small car globally that will be launched in the country in the second half of 2015. To be priced between Rs. 3-4 lakhs (ex-showroom), the Kwid is based on Renault-Nissan’s CMF-A platform and takes cues from bigger Renault’s in terms of design. With the hatchback measuring 3.68 metres in length and 1.58 metres in width, the French automaker says that the Kwid is ideal for zipping around the city with a ground clearance of 180 mm and the high driving position ensures great visibility for the driver.

In terms of aesthetics, Renault has very cleverly given the Kwid small car a butch styling that certainly looks impressive. Competing in the entry-level A-segment, the Kwid appears robust with the front fascia heavily inspired from the Duster. You get a chunky looking twin-slat 3D honeycomb mesh grille with a large diamond logo resting in the centre. The side profile is accentuated by the black plastic cladding on the wheel arches and doors for the rugged feel. The rear gets a nicely sculpted hatchback friendly appearance with sporty body coloured rear spoiler while the black bumper is added for an SUV-like appeal. The car rides on 155/80/13 tyres wrapped around steel rims and gets wheel covers but cost cutting has been done as it uses 3 lug nuts.

On the inside, Renault has opted for an uncluttered design that has been further simplified by the not so premium all black cabin but there are large windows to offer a roomy feel. That said, the Renault Kwid is being offered with a segment first 7-inch touchscreen infotainment unit that comes with navigation, radio and Bluetooth telephony for hands-free driving. Renault says that the Kwid comes with the best-in-class knee room and load capacity. In terms of power, the small car will be using the newly developed 800cc three-cylinder petrol engine and will be offered in manual and AMT versions right from the start. In terms of safety, the hatchback gets a driver-side airbag as optional.

The Renault Kwid will certainly be one-of-best looking entry-level cars and with SUV favouritism ripe, the styling will be appealing to a larger audience base. Renault will also equip the hatchback with an AMT unit that will make the vehicle further convenient to drive in congested city conditions. With the automaker promising a competitive price tag, the Kwid might just bring in the volumes that Renault has been craving for.