Renault's low-cost XBA is more crossover than hatch

Renault is ready to unveil its Maruti Alto-rivalling budget car, the XBA, on May 20th. Designed to take on the Alto and Eon, but from a slightly different angle, the XBA
will be more a crossover than a regular hatchback. This is clear from the spy pictures taken of the car in India, and elsewhere. The car has a high bonnet, a high waistline and as you look towards the rear you can clearly see a muscular bulge over the rear wheel arches. The car's silhouette is in fact not too far from that of the upright Datsun Redi-GO show car, and is likely to be built on the same platform as well.

Of course, the detailing up front is pure Renault. There's Renault's smiling grille, with the lozenge-shaped badge placed up high, and the slot-like headlights are tagged on to either side of the grille, forming a single unit. A large crossover-like air dam is used with a big air inlet placed low as well, and though other SUV-like bits like body cladding may not be used, better-equipped versions could get roof rails and scruff plates.

There are enough signs to classify this as a low-cost car. There's only a single wiper, the mirrors look like they are non-adjustable, the wheels are secured by only three bolts and the doors don't even have pull-type handles. The tall body however, does have its benefits. To begin with, the car will look big, and then there'll be plenty of useable Wagon R-like vertical space on the inside, with the high-seating position making it really space efficient. Renault insiders also say that unlike the Datsun Go, the interiors won't be low rent, but will they be able to match those on the Eon? That's the big question. Renault's new car will also be built on an all-new platform. Based on the company’s highly flexible CMFA architecture, the XBA is expected to be high on efficiency and will feature a robust and stiff bodyshell. The big wheel arches will allow for sufficient wheel travel, making it well-suited to rural roads.

The XBA will use a modern engine too. The three-cylinder motor (Codename: BR08)  will feature twin-cams, four-valves-per-cylinder and thanks to the advanced design, both efficiency and power should be excellent. Additionally, future engine options could include a more powerful 1.0-litre petrol motor (Codename: BR10) and the big news is that it will also come with the option of an automated manual transmission (AMT), pitting it directly against the new AMT-fitted Alto K10.

A diesel option, however, has been ruled out. Firstly, the engine bay is designed to accommodate only the BR series of small motors, and secondly, while a three-cylinder diesel motor was in the pipeline, Renault has shelved plans as future emission regulations could lead to diesel losing its cost advantage.

Renault is betting big on the XBA. It has invested heavily in the project. The company has even pulled one of its best engineers out of retirement for the project (78-year old Gérard Detourbet of Logan and Duster fame). India is likely to function as the mother plant for many variations of the XBA. It will have its work cut out though, especially considering it is going up against well-entrenched competition like Maruti and Hyundai, who have much stronger brands and more widespread sales networks. On the pricing front, The XBA is expected to cost around Rs 3 lakh, and should be in showrooms by mid-2015. Exciting times ahead.

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