Renault has pledged to launch an all-new product in India every year, starting this year. This year marks the launch of the Duster-based Renault Captur in India, expected in showrooms in 3-4 weeks. Bookings for the Hyundai Creta rival are currently open across the country.
For 2018, ET Auto reports that Renault is readying a 7-seat crossover (codename: Renault RBC) for launch in India. Further details have not been provided by the publication. From past reports about Renault RBC, it will slot below the Renault Lodgy and rival the Maruti Ertiga, Honda BR-V and even the Datsun GO+. While its bigger sibling is based on the M0 platform, reports suggest that Renault RBC will ride on an extended version of the Kwid's CMF-A platform - rumoured to be called CMF-A+.
Renault could not find the success they had hoped for with the Lodgy in India and therefore weren't able to take advantage of the demand for practical, 7-seat vehicles. With RBC, Renault could have another attempt at the segment, this time with a less expensive product featuring tougher styling, good equipment levels, smaller footprint and a fuel-efficient range of engines.
Also Read: Will the 2018 Renault Duster be more than just a badge-swap exercise?
Also in the pipeline is a compact SUV (codenamed Renault HBC) in 2019 to challenge the Maruti Vitara Brezza and the Tata Nexon. Prices for both RBC and HBC are expected to start from under INR 8 Lakhs.
[Source: ET Auto]
