In April, Venkatram Mamillapalle, Renault India’s Managing Director, had confirmed that the Renault HBC (a sub-4 metre SUV) is arriving next year. Now, Fabrice Cambolive, Senior Vice President, Chairman of AMI-Pacific, Groupe Renault, has reaffirmed that a sub-4 metre SUV is planned for our market.
After that (Renault Triber), of course, we should come with some more products either in growing segment like a sub four- metre SUV,also new technologies like EV and we are working on both directions, Cambolive told The Economic Times in a recent interview.
The Kwid has been one of the most successful products for Renault in India, and the brand wants to replicate the same success in other segments as well. The sub-compact SUV from Renault is said to be based on a version of the CMF-A platform called 'CMF-A+'. In terms of design, the upcoming Maruti Vitara Brezza rival will fare a completely new design and won't merely be an extension of the Kwid.
The Renault HBC could mark the debut of the turbocharged version of the Renault Kwid's 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine. The same turbocharged engine would be offered in the Renault Triber as well. Unlike all other sub-4 metre SUVs currently sold in India, this one won't be available with a diesel engine. This may mean the 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine being standard. The transmission choices may include a manual unit and an automated manual unit.
Also Read: Renault may stop offering diesel engine in India - Report
The Renault HBC will compete with the Maruti Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport, Hyundai Venue, Mahindra XUV300 and the Tata Nexon. Before the HBC, Renault will launch the facelifted Kwid and facelifted Duster.
[Source: auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com]