Alto rival XBA to be branded Renault 'Kayou' - Report

14/04/2015 - 19:23 | ,   | Shrawan Raja

To be priced starting at INR 2.5 lakhs?

MotorOctane is reporting that the Renault entry-level car, reported to be previewed on May 20, will mostly be called the Renault Kayou.

2015 Renault Zoe rear three quarter at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show
The sub-Pulse hatchback would have a 800 cc three-cylinder engine powering it, with a five-speed manual or an AMT. Pictured - Renault Zoe EV.

Renault have been using the name "Ka" or "Ca" for its new gen crossovers and the XBA, which reportedly comes with crossover-inspired design, could be the smallest member of the group.

Renault India Managing Director & CEO Sumit Sawhney told IAB yesterday that the "third volume pillar" would be launched to Indian customers this year and that it is a "global car". He said that the company would study export opportunities for all products, and not just for the Duster.

The sub-Pulse model would be based on the CMF-A platform and come strapped with a 800 cc petrol engine, codenamed B4A. The three-cylinder mill will produce 45-50 bhp of power, and sport a five-speed manual transmission, the report claims. A previous report said that the XBA would also have an automated manual transmission, and the same vehicle would be sold in Brazil with some adaptations.

Dacia Sandero Black Touch front three quarters at the 2014 Paris Motor Show
The XBA will also be badged as a Dacia and slot below the Sandero, the report claims.

Sources tell MotorOctane that the base model would be priced at INR 2.5 lakhs (on-road) and there would be about four variants in all. The car could also be badged as a Dacia and be made at the Moroccan plant for European markets with a sub-5000 Euro (INR 3.32 lakh) price tag, sitting below the Sandero.

Competitors: Maruti Alto 800, Hyundai Eon, Tata Nano variants
Expected Price: INR 2.5- 3.5 lakhs (on-road)
Launch date: May 20 (reported unveiling), market launch in second half of 2015

[Source - MotorOctane.com]

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