Photo: car.blog.br
Born in India, underpinned by a modular Renault-Nissan platform, and powered by tiny engines, the Kwid is one of those no-frills means of personal transport that gets under your skin. Two months after its public outing, the Renault Kwid is en route to other markets as well, including Brazil.
Similar to India, the Brazilian markets also needs cheap cars to mobilize the population. As the youngsters keep climbing on the social and financial ladders, a car without personality simply won’t do. This is where the Kwid comes on the scene and why the Federative Republic of Brazil could become one of the best markets for the lil’ Renault.
According to the peeps from Car.Blog.Br, the Brazil-spec Renault Kwid will be priced at under R$30,000, which is about $9,385 in US dollars or €8,665 at current exchange rates. From the publication’s live pictures, it’s easy to see that the exterior styling and proportions are pleasant to the eye, without giving a feeling of cheapness. Only the plastic wheel covers and three-lug wheels inspire cheapo-mobile.
But once you step inside, oh man. It’s not like we haven’t driven our fair share of back-to-basics cars, but the Kwid doesn’t hide its low-cost nature. The plastics, the fit and finish, the cloth seats, all give a feeling of cheapness, but these details aren’t deal breakers. After all, what Renault wants from the Kwid is to offer a car for the young masses.
Hat tip to the designers for the touchscreen infotainment system and the more upmarket detailing employed for the center stack. 8 cm longer than the VW up!, the 3.68-meter long Renault Kwid A-segment crossover makes use of a 0.8-liter engine that is expected to produce 57 horsepower. Soon enough, a 12-valve 1-liter mill will also be offered. In the Nissan March, the engine develops 77 horsepower.
Compared to the India-spec Renault Kwid, the Brazilian version is more expensive to buy because legislation is enforcing Renault to offer airbags and ABS as standard, equipment that’s classified as optional in India. For the more demanding customer, Renault is expected to swap the manual for an automated manual.
According to the peeps from Car.Blog.Br, the Brazil-spec Renault Kwid will be priced at under R$30,000, which is about $9,385 in US dollars or €8,665 at current exchange rates. From the publication’s live pictures, it’s easy to see that the exterior styling and proportions are pleasant to the eye, without giving a feeling of cheapness. Only the plastic wheel covers and three-lug wheels inspire cheapo-mobile.
But once you step inside, oh man. It’s not like we haven’t driven our fair share of back-to-basics cars, but the Kwid doesn’t hide its low-cost nature. The plastics, the fit and finish, the cloth seats, all give a feeling of cheapness, but these details aren’t deal breakers. After all, what Renault wants from the Kwid is to offer a car for the young masses.
Hat tip to the designers for the touchscreen infotainment system and the more upmarket detailing employed for the center stack. 8 cm longer than the VW up!, the 3.68-meter long Renault Kwid A-segment crossover makes use of a 0.8-liter engine that is expected to produce 57 horsepower. Soon enough, a 12-valve 1-liter mill will also be offered. In the Nissan March, the engine develops 77 horsepower.
Compared to the India-spec Renault Kwid, the Brazilian version is more expensive to buy because legislation is enforcing Renault to offer airbags and ABS as standard, equipment that’s classified as optional in India. For the more demanding customer, Renault is expected to swap the manual for an automated manual.
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