The Kayou will be a 5,000 EUR hatchback in Europe.
A MotorBeam reader snapped these images of a Red Renault XBA (codename) testing in the city of Chennai, ahead of its world premiere on May 20, 2015, announced to take place in the same city. The XBA, or the Renault Kayou as it is reported to be named, will be positioned as Renault's entry-level offering in the Indian market, and several international markets where it will go on sale.
While the Kayou will be a car built to costs (Renault India has announced a sub-4 lakhs price for it), it will subscribe to Renault's global design language as it will be pitched as Renault's 5,000 Euro offering in the European market.
Powering the Kayou will be a new 0.8-liter three-cylinder petrol engine, which is reported to come with an automated manual transmission apart from a 5-speed manual transmission. Renault India will not offer a diesel variant on the Kayou.
Also read: Renault Lodgy Stepway to follow, petrol variant ruled out
Underpinning the Maruti Alto-rival is Renault's modern and flexible CMF-A platform. Post the Kayou's introduction in India (expected to take place in the second half of this year), alliance partner Nissan will use the same platform for its entry-level offering under the Datsun brand, codenamed 'I2'.
Rivals: Tata Nano variants, Maruti Alto, Datsun redi-Go, Hyundai Eon
Expected Price: INR 3-4 lakhs, ex-Showroom
Launch date: May 20, 2015 (unveiling)
[Spyshots from MotorBeam]
