Renault recently introduced a 68hp 1.0-litre petrol engine on the Kwid that gave the entry-level hatchback a much needed spring in its step. Come November 9, 2016, the Kwid 1.0 will be launched with the option of a five-speed automated manual transmission (AMT) also known as, in Renault speak, an 'Easy-R' gearbox. With this, the Kwid will become the only rival to the Alto K10 AMT, with the other rivals being the smaller Nano and the Celerio above. Unlike the manual version of the Kwid 1.0 – offered on the RxT and RxT(O) variants – the AMT gearbox will be available only on the fully loaded RxT(O) variant. As a result, it will come with a driver-side airbag as standard.

Here’s a look at the Kwid 1.0-litre Easy-R’s equipment list:

•         Touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, USB, Bluetooth audio streaming and aux-in
•         12V power socket
•         Remote keyless entry with central locking
•         Front power windows
•         Foldable backrest
•         Rear parcel tray
•         Front fog lamps
•         Passenger-side ORVMs

Besides the touchscreen infotainment system, which has been one of the highlights of the Kwid, a unique feature of the Easy-R version is the dash-mounted rotary knob controller for the AMT gearbox. It has three modes – Drive (D), Neutral (N) and Reverse (R). This is unlike any of the other AMT gearboxes seen on cars so far in India, that are controlled via gear stalks offered on automatics. The AMT Kwid also gets an additional storage recess in the place where the gearlever would reside.

When it comes to pricing, there is nearly a Rs 45,000 difference between the Maruti Alto K10 and its AMT-equipped variants. Hence, it's safe to say that the Renault Kwid 1.0 Easy-R will be costlier than the regular Kwid 1.0 RxT(O). Expect its ex-showroom, Delhi price to be around the Rs 4.5 lac mark. To know more about the Renault Kwid AMT, read our review of it here.