Kwid, the highest-selling car in India from Renault, now has a new powerplant. The French automaker launched the 1.0-litre version of the Kwid in the country today (22 August). It is priced at Rs 3,82,776 for the RXT variant and Rs 3,95,776 for the RXT (O) (both prices ex-showroom, Delhi). This new launch price makes it Rs 22,000 more expensive than the 0.8-litre version of the same trim.
In case you want to know how it runs and drives, here's a quick first drive review. Alright then, let's give you a run through of what is on offer.
The Looks
The 1.0-litre version is simply called the Kwid 1.0. On the outside, there's virtually nothing that makes it different compared to its 800cc sibling. It retains the same SUV-inspired design elements such as the large grille, flared wheel arches and a generous dose of matte-black cladding. A keen pair of eyes will notice the larger rearview mirrors finished in matte silver, and a chequered decal on the side. Everything else, including the dimensions and the tyre profile, remain identical to the standard Kwid.
The Cabin
The interiors too remain identical. There's absolutely no distinguishing the 1.0 from its smaller sibling. The cabin is enveloped in grey and has dabs of piano black and chrome to accentuate the finer details. Since the 1.0 is available only in the top-spec RXT and RXT (O) variants, it gets the whole jingbang of features. The list includes air conditioning, front two power windows, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a digital speedometer. There are plenty of thoughtful storage spaces around the cabin and, lest we forget, a cavernous 300-litre boot as well.
The Drive
The new 1.0-litre motor shares its architecture with the existing 800cc unit. The added displacement is courtesy increased bore and stroke. The engine puts out a healthy 68PS of power and 91Nm of torque. Couple that with the relatively low kerb weight, and you get an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 97PS/ton. ARAI-certified fuel economy is rated at 23.01kmpl. The Kwid 1.0 will be available with a 5-speed manual transmission for the moment. That said, the manufacturer has confirmed that the AMT variant is in the works and should be available very soon.
The Kwid has been a phenomenal success for Renault India. The little hatch almost singlehandedly catapulted the French automaker to the number six spot on the top ten manufacturers (by sales) list. With the added power, it has become a better-rounded package for sure. Plan on buying one? Got questions? Let us know through the comments.
Source: CarDekho.com
