Auto Expo 2016: Renault Kwid with 1.0-litre engine and AMT could be showcased

Renault has a new trick up its sleeve to cash in on the Kwid’s success. The Kwid will most likely get a larger 1.0-litre petrol engine and this will be followed up by an AMT gearbox to take on the Maruti Alto K10 and the Hyundai Eon 1.0. The Alto is currently the top selling passenger car in India, recording sales of over 1.75 lakh units between April and November 2015. Of the total sales, the K10 variants account for about 40 percent according to industry sources.

While the 3-cylinder 799cc Kwid takes on the smaller variants of the Alto and Eon, a 1.0-litre 4-cylinder unit will give the Kwid a broader customer base to cater. There is also a probability of an AMT version of the 5-speed manual gearbox being showcased at the Expo grounds but it will be launched only around July.

AMTs are being picked as logical affordable options to their manual counterparts in congested cities. This could further strengthen the Kwid’s popularity in the cut-throat entry level hatchback segment. Renault also plans to equip the Kwid 1.0-litre with two airbags and ABS given the newfound focus on safety in the automotive industry.

Expect the larger engine in the Kwid to deliver about 66bhp and 95Nm. The lightweight design and extra performance will make the Kwid a lot peppier than the 0.8-litre engine and should also improve drivability. The 1.0-litre Kwid should carry a Rs 50,000 premium over the standard model while the AMT Kwid will be dearer by another Rs 40,000 approximately.