<div>Your ‘budget’ need not limit your sense of style. Your car, most definitely, need not wear the grimace of it.<br /><br />Talking about cars, India’s most passionate category — small cars — just got more exciting. Enter, the Kwid! The new baby from the French giant Renault, a hatchback, couldn’t get more stylish than this. Having been launched months after a high-profile showcase in Chennai, the car has already set your expectations high.<br /><br />Renault has been successful the world over in the small car segment, with trendsetters like the Clio and the Renault 4. In India, its biggest success story, however, is echoed by the SUV Duster, a lineage from which, the Kwid seems to have been conceived. The Kwid’s perfectly chiselled features looks like the SUV just lost a few pounds to only look better.<br /><br />Small car, big body<br /><br />The Kwid takes its small car credentials to an all new-level. It sits on the newly developed Renault-Nissan Common Module Family CMF-A platform — the first car to be built on it. The car has been placed in the class of a mini SUV, with the body style of a five-door crossover.<br /><br />And yes, it is a big, small car! Standing at an impressive length of 3,679 mm, width of 1,579 mm, and height of 1,478 mm, the Kwid is quite menacing at first glance itself.<br />Its bold structured front grille with the large proud Renault logo taking centerstage is a sign of assurance of the carmaker’s pedigree. The sides of the grille house the Duster-like, C-shaped signature headlamps, smartly located in a rather upright position. <br /><br />While the front of the car is a beauty, the side view is as robust, as it is in styling. The linings move across the body of the car from the front, smoothly cascading all the way towards the back. The rear of the car, with the wide tail lamps, is simplistic and understated.<br /><br />Enthusiasts and onlookers for some reason have nicknamed the Kwid, ‘Mini Duster’, and we found out why. Apart from the already described SUV elements, a few other aspects that catch our eye are the highly-placed black bumpers, and the wheel arch cladding (a very SUV exterior feature), on which sits the side indicator lights.<br /><br />We get to taste the top-end RXT variant. The variant name ‘RXT’ is engraved on the rear door pillars, adding a further pinch of style on its own. The RXT features certain premium elements such as the integrated roof spoiler, and a black painted multi-spoke cover for wheels. Having been taken by surprise on the exterior front, it’s time to see what’s ‘in’ store, literally. <br /><br />Imagination, inside<br /><br />Budget cars in the Indian market are vying with each other to appease your pocket and at the same time allure you with their features. With its flawless appearance, the Kwid stands as a formidable contestant to other cars in this segment. It successfully accommodates some of the features of a luxury car that makes you want to set your heart on it instantly. The seat design, the well-crafted boot space, and the touch screen for the radio add to the finery. The seating is comfortable, with ample space, though it’s roomier in the front, while three large adults may barely fit in the rear seats.<br /><br />For the driver, certain treats await. The dual-tone dashboard on the RXT houses the touch-screen infotainment system (as on the Lodgy and Duster), which offers Bluetooth connectivity, and is fun to operate. A first in the segment, the touch interface is fascinating. The only irritant in this regard is that the car offers speakers for music lovers only in the front, quite feeble for occupants in the backseat. <br /><br />The central aircon vents are supported by knobs embellished in chrome, adding another goody to a slew of many others. The air-conditioning system itself offers a four-speed blower and five-position air distribution that ensures everyone in the car is cool or warm at all times. The car offers a range of conveniences, especially in its top-end, such as ample storage spaces with several glove boxes, and also, front-power windows.<br /><br />Drive? It ain’t an SUV<br /><br />As you turn on the ignition and start driving the Kwid, it’s a smooth start. You are looking forward for it to sail along effortlessly, expecting its SUV stance to take control as it glides through the road. But at the end of the day, the Kwid is a hatchback, and is driven by a modest powertrain.<br /><br />The car carries a 799 cc, three-cylinder petrol engine, dishing out a power of 54 PS @ 5,678 rpm, and a maximum torque of 72 Nm @ 4,386 rpm. Going by the size of it, and expecting it to be a powerful beast, is not really the case, as we find out taking the car through the traffic, and driving it to the fullest on NICE Road, near Bengaluru.<br /><br />As you drive, you will realise that the low-pitched humming of the engine is your constant companion throughout the drive. However, with distance, you will get attuned to it and will learn to overlook this noise.The car offers a five-speed manual synchromesh transmission system. If you are driving in peak hour traffic within city limits, you are mostly navigating within the first three gears. <div> </div><div>As the car begins to accelerate, the shift between the second and third gears gets especially a little bumpy. If you are in heavy traffic, it’s better to restrict yourself to the first gear as the engine threatens to stop with the slightest drop in speed. You will find the car slightly lacking as there is a delay in picking up pace. This gets quite tiresome in those moments when you find a gap in traffic and want to swiftly dart through, and the car just lazes about sluggishly, with other cars behind, blaring their loud horns at you.<br /><br />We hit NICE Road, and want to see the best of the Kwid. If you want to dart on a highway in this car, it fails to impress much at higher gears too. In fact, one will notice that it is slow on picking up pace, overall. In all, we hit a speed of around 90 kmph, on a downward incline. <br /><br />With a car this big, it’s best expected that it sport a 1,000 cc engine, for that much-needed extra pull. Renault has hinted of several upgradations to this model, especially in terms of engine. <br /><br />Also, in future one may expect an automated manual transmission (AMT) gearbox, which is welcome. Meanwhile, on the drive, you would also wish for the steering to be sturdier in proportion with the frame of the car.<br /><br />In fact, it feels a bit flimsy. It could have done with some height too. If you are tall with long legs, your thighs will easily collide with the dashboard. Also, the small 155/80 R13 tyre size might have made way for bigger tyres to support the larger hatch.<br /><br />High on ground clearance<br /><br />But where the Kwid scores is with a feature of much relevance in India today. That is the lofty ground clearance of 180 mm, which helps you sail across a bad road with ease, making the drive rather comfy for occupants. Visibility is a plus-point for the driver. While in some cars in this segment, the windshield is narrow, obstructing the vision, here it offers adequate view of the road in front of you. <br /><br />The top-end Renault Kwid RXT offers a first-in-class remote keyless entry with central locking, and an optional driver-side airbag, displaying the transition of carmakers in India, who are thoroughly moving towards keeping patrons safe. Overall, the Kwid with all its minimalism is indeed a serious contender in the price-sensitive, value-intensive Indian auto market. <br /><br />The car promises a mileage of 25.17 kmpl, which has already made it a match-winner. <br />Priced at Rs 2,73,594 for the STD variant, going all the way up to the RXT Driver Airbag Option variant at Rs 3,69,477 (ex-showroom prices, Bengaluru), the Kwid is stylish, a new beginning, and a Renault promise. <br /><br />The Kwid offers a range of experiences, with many firsts. It is a reinforcement of the French connection with India.<br /><br /></div></div>
<div>Your ‘budget’ need not limit your sense of style. Your car, most definitely, need not wear the grimace of it.<br /><br />Talking about cars, India’s most passionate category — small cars — just got more exciting. Enter, the Kwid! The new baby from the French giant Renault, a hatchback, couldn’t get more stylish than this. Having been launched months after a high-profile showcase in Chennai, the car has already set your expectations high.<br /><br />Renault has been successful the world over in the small car segment, with trendsetters like the Clio and the Renault 4. In India, its biggest success story, however, is echoed by the SUV Duster, a lineage from which, the Kwid seems to have been conceived. The Kwid’s perfectly chiselled features looks like the SUV just lost a few pounds to only look better.<br /><br />Small car, big body<br /><br />The Kwid takes its small car credentials to an all new-level. It sits on the newly developed Renault-Nissan Common Module Family CMF-A platform — the first car to be built on it. The car has been placed in the class of a mini SUV, with the body style of a five-door crossover.<br /><br />And yes, it is a big, small car! Standing at an impressive length of 3,679 mm, width of 1,579 mm, and height of 1,478 mm, the Kwid is quite menacing at first glance itself.<br />Its bold structured front grille with the large proud Renault logo taking centerstage is a sign of assurance of the carmaker’s pedigree. The sides of the grille house the Duster-like, C-shaped signature headlamps, smartly located in a rather upright position. <br /><br />While the front of the car is a beauty, the side view is as robust, as it is in styling. The linings move across the body of the car from the front, smoothly cascading all the way towards the back. The rear of the car, with the wide tail lamps, is simplistic and understated.<br /><br />Enthusiasts and onlookers for some reason have nicknamed the Kwid, ‘Mini Duster’, and we found out why. Apart from the already described SUV elements, a few other aspects that catch our eye are the highly-placed black bumpers, and the wheel arch cladding (a very SUV exterior feature), on which sits the side indicator lights.<br /><br />We get to taste the top-end RXT variant. The variant name ‘RXT’ is engraved on the rear door pillars, adding a further pinch of style on its own. The RXT features certain premium elements such as the integrated roof spoiler, and a black painted multi-spoke cover for wheels. Having been taken by surprise on the exterior front, it’s time to see what’s ‘in’ store, literally. <br /><br />Imagination, inside<br /><br />Budget cars in the Indian market are vying with each other to appease your pocket and at the same time allure you with their features. With its flawless appearance, the Kwid stands as a formidable contestant to other cars in this segment. It successfully accommodates some of the features of a luxury car that makes you want to set your heart on it instantly. The seat design, the well-crafted boot space, and the touch screen for the radio add to the finery. The seating is comfortable, with ample space, though it’s roomier in the front, while three large adults may barely fit in the rear seats.<br /><br />For the driver, certain treats await. The dual-tone dashboard on the RXT houses the touch-screen infotainment system (as on the Lodgy and Duster), which offers Bluetooth connectivity, and is fun to operate. A first in the segment, the touch interface is fascinating. The only irritant in this regard is that the car offers speakers for music lovers only in the front, quite feeble for occupants in the backseat. <br /><br />The central aircon vents are supported by knobs embellished in chrome, adding another goody to a slew of many others. The air-conditioning system itself offers a four-speed blower and five-position air distribution that ensures everyone in the car is cool or warm at all times. The car offers a range of conveniences, especially in its top-end, such as ample storage spaces with several glove boxes, and also, front-power windows.<br /><br />Drive? It ain’t an SUV<br /><br />As you turn on the ignition and start driving the Kwid, it’s a smooth start. You are looking forward for it to sail along effortlessly, expecting its SUV stance to take control as it glides through the road. But at the end of the day, the Kwid is a hatchback, and is driven by a modest powertrain.<br /><br />The car carries a 799 cc, three-cylinder petrol engine, dishing out a power of 54 PS @ 5,678 rpm, and a maximum torque of 72 Nm @ 4,386 rpm. Going by the size of it, and expecting it to be a powerful beast, is not really the case, as we find out taking the car through the traffic, and driving it to the fullest on NICE Road, near Bengaluru.<br /><br />As you drive, you will realise that the low-pitched humming of the engine is your constant companion throughout the drive. However, with distance, you will get attuned to it and will learn to overlook this noise.The car offers a five-speed manual synchromesh transmission system. If you are driving in peak hour traffic within city limits, you are mostly navigating within the first three gears. <div> </div><div>As the car begins to accelerate, the shift between the second and third gears gets especially a little bumpy. If you are in heavy traffic, it’s better to restrict yourself to the first gear as the engine threatens to stop with the slightest drop in speed. You will find the car slightly lacking as there is a delay in picking up pace. This gets quite tiresome in those moments when you find a gap in traffic and want to swiftly dart through, and the car just lazes about sluggishly, with other cars behind, blaring their loud horns at you.<br /><br />We hit NICE Road, and want to see the best of the Kwid. If you want to dart on a highway in this car, it fails to impress much at higher gears too. In fact, one will notice that it is slow on picking up pace, overall. In all, we hit a speed of around 90 kmph, on a downward incline. <br /><br />With a car this big, it’s best expected that it sport a 1,000 cc engine, for that much-needed extra pull. Renault has hinted of several upgradations to this model, especially in terms of engine. <br /><br />Also, in future one may expect an automated manual transmission (AMT) gearbox, which is welcome. Meanwhile, on the drive, you would also wish for the steering to be sturdier in proportion with the frame of the car.<br /><br />In fact, it feels a bit flimsy. It could have done with some height too. If you are tall with long legs, your thighs will easily collide with the dashboard. Also, the small 155/80 R13 tyre size might have made way for bigger tyres to support the larger hatch.<br /><br />High on ground clearance<br /><br />But where the Kwid scores is with a feature of much relevance in India today. That is the lofty ground clearance of 180 mm, which helps you sail across a bad road with ease, making the drive rather comfy for occupants. Visibility is a plus-point for the driver. While in some cars in this segment, the windshield is narrow, obstructing the vision, here it offers adequate view of the road in front of you. <br /><br />The top-end Renault Kwid RXT offers a first-in-class remote keyless entry with central locking, and an optional driver-side airbag, displaying the transition of carmakers in India, who are thoroughly moving towards keeping patrons safe. Overall, the Kwid with all its minimalism is indeed a serious contender in the price-sensitive, value-intensive Indian auto market. <br /><br />The car promises a mileage of 25.17 kmpl, which has already made it a match-winner. <br />Priced at Rs 2,73,594 for the STD variant, going all the way up to the RXT Driver Airbag Option variant at Rs 3,69,477 (ex-showroom prices, Bengaluru), the Kwid is stylish, a new beginning, and a Renault promise. <br /><br />The Kwid offers a range of experiences, with many firsts. It is a reinforcement of the French connection with India.<br /><br /></div></div>