While it has been known for a while that Renault will be bringing the Kwid facelift to the Indian market soon, we can now confirm that the launch has been slated for early next month. This will be the third significant model upgrade to Renault’s vehicle range this year, after the French automaker launched the updated Duster in July and the all-new Triber in August.
The refreshed Renault Kwid will come in four variants. The upcoming Renault hatchback will sport refreshed looks and modern design cues The Kwid facelift gets a split-headlamp setup with LED DRLs at the top and main headlamp units below, tweaked front grille, redesigned bumpers and tail-lamps with LED elements. However, the basic profile and butch styling of the car (that have made it popular among the masses) continues as is.
The refreshed Kwid's interior will borrow certain elements from the Triber sub-four-metre seven-seater including the steering wheel, a digital instrument cluster (with a tachometer – a first on the model) and an 8.0-inch touchscreen (compared to the earlier 7.0-inch unit) with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
In wake of the upcoming crash test norms that come into effect this October, the facelift will also receive structural upgrades. Other than that, there will be no mechanical changes. The 54hp, 0.8-litre and 68hp, 1.0-litre petrol engine options of the current Kwid will continue, so will the manual and AMT gearbox option only on the top spec variant. However, its powertrains will be updated to BS6 specifications towards April 2020.
As with the current-gen car, the Kwid will continue to duke it out with the Datsun Redigo and Maruti Suzuki Alto and Alto K10 in the Indian market. It will also have a new rival to contend with soon – the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso, which will make its debut on September 30.
Dipan Sur
Viraaj Bhatnagar
