I have driven the Renault Kwid RXT 1.0 Option equipped with the Lovato EXR Blue CNG kit for 2,00,000 kilometers across most of the states of India, including diverse terrains like mountains, forests, and highways, here's my experience with the car, which was a reliable companion through every type of road and weather condition. After covering such an extensive distance, the car has shown impressive resilience.
Performance Across Various Terrains
Highways: On long stretches of highways, the Kwid RXT 1.0 with the CNG kit performed admirably. CNG was significantly cheaper compared to petrol, reducing my running costs. On smoother highways, the car cruised comfortably at speeds of up to 100-110 km/h. Although the engine is not a powerhouse, it’s sufficient for everyday long-distance driving. The smooth switch between petrol and CNG was mostly seamless as it was a sequential CNG Kit, it automatically switches itself to CNG and Petrol Whenever is required.
Mountains and Hilly Terrains: Driving up steep mountain roads posed a challenge for any car, but the Kwid held its ground. The 1.0L engine, while not the most powerful in its segment, provided enough torque to navigate inclines. However, I had to shift to petrol mode on steeper ascents because the CNG system tends to reduce engine performance due to lower energy content compared to petrol. Once on the flat or downhill stretches, switching back to CNG provided the best efficiency.
Forest and Rural Roads: The Kwid excelled in rural and forest roads, where roads are often narrow and bumpy. The compact dimensions made it easy to maneuver through tight spaces, and the light steering helped in making quick turns. However, the suspension did start to show signs of wear at this point. Over time, the ride quality became a little stiffer, especially when driving on uneven roads. I had replaced the helical spring of the suspension with the springs which comes with Volkswagon Vento with some minor alterations to fit in the mounts of Kwid and with that the height of the vehicle is increased by 60 mm which makes the ground clearance of the vehicle to 240 mm, almost similar to the most of the SUVs available in the market. After the upgradation of the suspension there is no challenge in the forest and rural roads with high ground clearance.
CNG Kit Performance and Longevity
The Lovato EXR Blue CNG kit was a major factor in the car’s overall fuel efficiency. The CNG kit was installed in the vehicle after completing approximately 4000 Kms. After the conversion, the system worked quite well and needed minimal intervention. Here's how the kit held up:
Fuel Switching: The switch from CNG to petrol and vice versa worked smoothly most of the time. On rare occasions, especially in extreme weather conditions like cold climate where the temperature is below 10 degrees, I noticed a slight hesitation or delay during the switch. These were minor inconveniences but didn’t impact the overall experience much.
Mileage: CNG was a godsend for long-distance travel. The fuel efficiency was a major highlight, delivering impressive mileage of 30-32 Km/Kg on highways and 28-30 Km/Kg in city traffic and I could cover huge distances on a single tank. I did have to visit CNG refueling stations often in remote areas. I use Nawgati App, (earlier CNG ECO Connect) to find the CNG Stations on the route and the overall savings were massive compared to petrol.
Maintenance: The CNG kit doesn't require any servicing. The filter was changed after completing 1 Lakh Kms. CNG cylinder needs to be tested for every 3 years. There were minor issues with the CNG hoses wearing out, but these were handled easily during maintenance. I kept the kit in good shape, which prevented major issues down the road.
Driving Comfort and Handling
Suspension and Ride Quality: Over the course of 200,000 km, the suspension system began to show signs of fatigue. In cities, where roads were rough or under construction, I began to notice more bumps inside the cabin. The shock absorbers and suspension bushings had worn down, which made the ride feel less smooth. I had replaced the helical spring of the suspension with the springs which comes with Volkswagon Vento with some minor alterations to fit in the mounts of Kwid and with that the height of the vehicle is increased by 60 mm which makes the ground clearance of the vehicle to 240 mm, almost similar to the most of the SUVs available in the market. After the upgradation of the suspension there is no challenge anywhere with high ground clearance.
Interior Comfort: The cabin still remains functional, though wear and tear were noticeable after extensive use. The seats held up well for long trips, but after 2 lakh kilometers, the cushioning was a bit compressed. The infotainment system also worked well. I have upgraded the speakers with pioneer oval shaped coaxial speakers by replacing the rear parcel tray with wooden make. Activated the BOSE Audio in the infotainment system by cracking the internal system.
Climate Control: The air conditioning system worked fine for the most part, but after extended use, there were signs of a drop in cooling efficiency. AC gas was refilled twice at around 80000 kms and again 150000 kms. At 178000 Kms the bearings and clutch kit of AC compressor has got damaged and replaced at a cost of around Rs. 3000.
Maintenance and Cost of Ownership
Routine Servicing: Keeping up with regular oil changes, air filter replacements, and spark plug checks was crucial in maintaining engine performance. The CNG kit doesnt require any maintenance. Even with 200,000 km on the odometer, I didn’t experience any major engine failures or breakdowns, which speaks to the durability of the Kwid and the CNG system when properly maintained. The average service cost for every 10000 kms is around Rs. 4000 - Rs.5000 at Renault authorised service centre.
Major Repairs: After 200,000 km, the engine finally needed an overhaul. One of the valve in the cylinder 3 got leaked and engine got misfiring issues. The timing belt and some internal components like pistons were showing wear after opening the engine for overhaul. This was expected after such high mileage. So the timing kit, valves and the pistons are replaced. Parts like brake pads, suspension bushings, and shock absorbers were replaced periodically as part of regular maintenance. After completing around 1,75,000 Lakh Kms the full body painting was done followed by ceramic coating. Sharing the before and after pictures.
Cost Efficiency: One of the best parts about owning the Kwid with the CNG kit was the low maintenance costs. Parts were relatively affordable, and service intervals were generous. CNG being a cheaper fuel than petrol resulted in immense savings on long trips across the country. My overall expenditure on fuel was drastically lower than it would have been if I were using petrol exclusively.
States Covered in India.
Andhra Pradesh
Tamil Nadu
Kerala
Karnataka
Telangana
Maharashtra
Gujarat
Rajasthan
Punjab
Madhya Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Pondicherry
Goa
Daman and Diu
Dadra and Nager Haveli
Himachal Pradesh
Uttarakhand
Conclusion After 200,000 Kms Strengths:
Fuel Efficiency: The combination of the Renault Kwid's light weight and the Lovato CNG kit made it one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its segment, especially when driving across long distances.
Low Cost of Ownership: Maintenance costs were low, and parts were reasonably priced, making it a highly economical vehicle for long-term use.
Reliability: Despite the high mileage, the car remained reliable through different terrains and conditions. The CNG kit continued to perform well with minimal issues.
Weaknesses:
Engine Wear: After 2 lakh kilometers, the engine showed signs of wear, leading to the need for an overhaul. While this is expected with such high mileage, the engine was still functional before the overhaul.
In conclusion, the Renault Kwid RXT 1.0 Option with the Lovato EXR Blue CNG kit has been a fantastic long-term companion for over 200,000 kilometers. It has handled diverse terrains, extreme weather conditions, and long highway drives with ease. While there was some wear and tear, especially with the suspension and engine, the overall experience has been overwhelmingly positive. It was economical to run, reliable, and capable of handling the Indian roads with minimal issues. The engine overhaul was expected after such high mileage, but the car still has a lot to offer for those willing to invest in maintaining it for a few more years.