After the Triber MPV and the facelifted Kwid, now the French automajor is gearing up to introduce another car in India, codenamed Renault HBC. In the recent reports, it is claimed to be unveiled at the upcoming Auto Expo 2020. Based on the speculations, IAB's digital designer, Shoeb Kalania has produced a near-accurate rendering to showcase its expected exterior design.
As the above rendering suggests, the Renault HBC will feature a proper SUV design with traditional proportions. Up front, it may sport the facelifted Kwid-inspired front fascia with spit light set-up. The headlamps will be placed on the lower-side of the front bumper, above which will sit the sharp-looking LED DRLs flanking the multi-slats three-dimensional front grille with chrome finishes. On the sides, it will roll-on five-spoke diamond-finished alloys flaring-up its sporty appeal. Also, black-cladding on its swollen wheel arches and side body baseline will be another add-on to its beefier personality.
The Renault HBC will be based on the same CMF-A+ platform as the previously launched Triber and will be restricted to under 4-metres in length. This will enable the company to price it more aggressively against its competition such as the Hyundai Venue, Maruti Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport and the Mahindra XUV300.
As for the mechanicals, it will source power from a BS-VI 1.0-litre dual VVT turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine which delivers 72 PS at 6,250 rpm and 96 Nm of torque at 3,500 rpm. The engine will come mated to a 5-speed MT or a 5-speed AMT. Also, a CVT is under consideration because as the competitors are offered with CVT, AT and DCT options. The Renault HBC is expected to be a petrol-only model. And it goes without saying that it will be a front-wheel drive vehicle.
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In terms of pricing, the Renault HBC is expected to retail in the price bracket of INR 6-6.5 lakh (ex-showroom). It may also spawn out a mechanical cousin for the Datsun brand in India. The Renault HBC is expected to be launched in India by June 2020.
