The made-in-Brazil Renault Kwid was recently crash tested by Latin NCAP. The entry-level hatchback scored 3 stars in both adult and child occupant safety. 

Earlier, the India-made Renault Kwid had scored 1 star in Global NCAP crash tests. The Kwid built for the Latin American market comes with 4 airbags which is one of the reasons why it received a higher rating. It also showed improved structural integrity than the Indian version.

According to Latin NCAP, the Kwid offered adequate frontal protection and marginal side impact protection but weak protection to the chest area of an adult. The impact structures worked as designed in the side impact barrier test. The addition of side airbags has also reduced the risk of injury in such a crash. 

In case of child occupants, the Kwid offered adequate and good protection in frontal and side impact tests respectively. In the South American market, the Kwid comes standard with ISOFIX child safety seat mounting points but lacks 3-point seat belts in all seating positions which is why it could not score anything above 3 stars. 

The test car came equipped with safety features like seat belt pretensioners for front occupants, seat belt reminder, ABS and side impact protection.

Source: Latin NCAP

It has been two years since the launch of the Renault Kwid in India. To mark the occasion, Renault has launched the Kwid Anniversary Edition, which comes with a list of styling updates. The Anniversary edition is offered in both 799cc and 999cc versions of the Kwid with prices starting at Rs. 3.43 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). It is only available with a 5-speed manual, in RXL or RXT trim and costs Rs. 15,000 more over the standard variants. It will be offered in a choice of red or white exterior colours.

The updates are purely aesthetic. On the outside, the Kwid Anniversary Edition gets designer graphics on the doors with "02" insignia, graphics on the C-pillar, bonnet and roof, ORVM housing in two-tone finish, coloured wheels and skid plates at the front and rear. Similarly, cabin updates include Sportline seat upholstery with 02 insignia, dark ivory trim around side air vents, a two-tone gear knob, floor mats and steering wheel with "02" insignia and piano black center fascia with dark ivory highlights.

The Kwid Anniversary Edition is offered with a 799cc, 3-cylinder petrol engine which produces 54 BHP @ 5,678 rpm and 72 Nm @ 4,386 rpm. The 1.0L variant uses a 999cc, 3-cylinder petrol engine which delivers 67 BHP @ 5,500 rpm and 91 Nm @ 4,250 rpm.

Other standard features include a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, digital instrument cluster, one-touch lane change indicator, speed dependent radio volume control, and 300 liters of luggage space among others.

Price:

RXL 0.8L - Rs. 3.43 lakh

RXT 0.8L - Rs. 3.76 lakh

RXL 1.0L - Rs. 3.64 lakh

RXT 1.0L - Rs. 3.98 lakh

Renault has launched new graphic schemes for the Kwid as a part of its 'Live For More' range. The new colours and graphic options will be available with all three powertrain options of the hatchback - 0.8 MT, 1.0 MT and 1.0 AMT.

In total, Renault has introduced 7 new graphic schemes with the Kwid - Sports, Race, Rallycross, Chase, Ziipp, Turbo and Classic. The graphic schemes are distributed over 5 base colour options - Fiery Red, Ice Cool White, Moonlight Silver, Outback Bronze and Planet Grey. The Live For More range also comes with roof rails as standard.

No mechanical or feature related changes have been made to the Kwid. It continues to be offered with a 0.8-litre petrol engine that puts out 53 BHP and 72 Nm of torque and a 1.0-litre petrol unit that churns out 67 BHP and 90 Nm of torque. Both engines come with a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard while the 1.0-litre mill is available with an AMT gearbox as well.

Renault has sold over 1.5 lakh units of the Kwid in India, since its launch in September 2015. Knowing the importance of the Kwid in its portfolio, Renault has continuously been introducing new variants to the line-up in order to broaden its appeal. As part of these attempts, the Kwid 1.0-litre model was launched in August 2016, while the AMT variant was introduced in November. Recent reports suggest that both these variants are now contributing heavily to the Kwid's monthly sales.

The Kwid 1.0 is amounting to around 60% of the total monthly sales of the Renault Kwid in India. This is a significant share, especially since the hatchback is managing to clock around 9,000 unit sales per month. Since the Kwid 1.0 was launched at a premium of just Rs. 22,000 over the corresponding 0.8-litre model, it has successfully managed to attract customers of the low-displacement variants.

Interestingly, half of these sales of the Kwid 1.0 are coming from the AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) model. As a result, the Kwid AMT is currently contributing 30% to the total sales of the Kwid in the country. This is a clear indication of the increasing popularity of automatics, even in the budget hatchback segment.

These figures are further expected to rise in the coming months as Renault recently introduced an RXL variant as well for the Kwid 1.0 MT & AMT line-up. Before this addition, the Kwid 1.0 MT was available only in the RXT and RXT (O) variants, while the Kwid 1.0 AMT was offered only in the top end RXT (O) trim. This has reduced the starting price of the 1.0-litre range, thus making it more accessible for entry-level buyers.

Source: Car and Bike

We had recently reported that dealer training for the Renault Kwid Climber edition has started in India, ahead of the car's nearing launch. Now, brochure images of the Kwid Climber have surfaced on the internet, providing a first look at the production model.

The brochure showcases a blue coloured model of the Kwid Climber edition, which gets orange-coloured ORVMs. The front bumper is also a new unit that houses larger plastic garnish around the fog lamps and a silver faux skid plate. The car also gets beefier body cladding, roof rails and a Climber badge on the front door panel. It also comes with 6-spoke alloy wheels.

On the inside, the Kwid Climber will get the same cabin layout as the regular model. However, there will be a few orange inserts around the gear lever, seat upholstery, centre console and door pads. The seat headrests will also get Climber badges.

The Kwid Climber is expected to be available with a 1.0-litre, three cylinder petrol engine that develops 67 BHP and 91 Nm of torque, while being mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Source: AutosArena

Renault has started dealer training for the upcoming Kwid Climber edition from this week. This suggests that the car's India launch isn't far away.

Renault had showcased the Kwid Climber concept at the Auto Expo last year. It was basically a cosmetically enhanced version of the regular Kwid hatchback that is currently on sale in the country. Cosmetic changes seen on the Climber concept included a new front bumper with faux skid plate, beefier front grille, black cladding around the headlamps and tail lights, new ORVMs, thicker body cladding on the wheel arches and door panels, 15-inch alloys shod with 205/65 competition rally tyres and a tweaked rear bumper.

The interiors received a dual tone treatment along with contrasting red inserts on the steering, gear lever, AC vents and floor mats. There was also a prominent Climber badge on the door pad.

Renault is expected to launch the Kwid Climber edition with the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine which will come with a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard. It remains to be seen whether or not the AMT gearbox is offered as an option on the upcoming model.

Renault has launched a special edition model of the Kwid hatchback. Called the 'Live for More' edition, it is an accessory kit that can be fitted to any Kwid trim. This kit will be free of cost on the 2016 manufactured models, while the 2017 models will get it as a payable extra.

The Kwid 'Live for More' edition gets some cosmetic tweaks on the exteriors, including red and grey racing stripes that run from the hood to the boot, decals on the door panels, red accents on the wheel covers and front grille, a blacked out section on the C-pillar and a red-coloured spoiler. The roof rails also feature a contrasting colour tone of black and red.

On the inside, the steering wheel cover and the door pads get some red accents, while the cabin layout and features remain identical to the standard model. The special edition also doesn't get any mechanical changes. It is available with all powertrains of the Kwid: 0.8L, 1.0L and 1.0L AMT.

Renault Kwid has reached the 1 lakh domestic sales milestone in India. It has managed to achieve this number in 14 months since its official launch in the country.

The Kwid competes in the high-volume entry-level hatchback segment. It rivals the likes of the Maruti Alto 800 and the Hyundai Eon. Both these cars come from prominent automakers, while Renault is a relatively new name in the segment. However, owing to its crossover inspired styling and some segment-first features like a touchscreen infotainment system, the Kwid has managed to attract quite a few buyers in the segment.

Renault has also acknowledged the Kwid's success and has thus been launching new variants to optimize sales volume from the nameplate. The Kwid is currently available with three powertrains: 0.8-litre with 5-speed manual, 1.0-litre with 5-speed manual and 1.0-litre with AMT.

Source: Car and Bike

Renault India has officially teased the Kwid AMT, before its imminent official launch. The Kwid will be getting an Automated Manual Transmission with the 1.0-litre engine. It was earlier displayed at the 2016 Auto Expo in Greater Noida.

The Kwid 1.0 was launched in India in August 2016. It is powered by a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine that churns out 67 BHP @ 5,500 rpm and 91 Nm of torque at 4,250 rpm. It is currently offered with a 5-speed manual gearbox. With the new launch, the same engine will now also be offered with a 5-speed Easy-R AMT gearbox.

Unlike other automakers like Maruti Suzuki and Tata who provide a conventional gear lever with their AMT models, Renault will only be providing a gear selector knob with the Kwid AMT. It will be placed at the bottom right of the centre console, near the power window control buttons. This knob has three selections: Reverse, Neutral and Drive. The lack of a gear lever means that the Kwid AMT doesn’t provide the option to shift gears manually.

Various reports suggest that the Kwid AMT will be launched in India in the second week of November.

Renault India has issued an official recall for the Kwid hatchback. Models manufactured till May 18, 2016 have been affected under the recall. The automaker hasn’t revealed the exact fault in the car, though an official statement has mentioned inspection of the fuel supply system. The company would be adding a clip to the fuel hose of the hatchback, in select models.

The Renault Kwid was launched in September last year with only a 0.8-litre, three-cylinder engine, while a 1.0-litre unit was added in August this year. Since the recall only affects models manufactured before May 18, the new Kwid 1.0 isn’t a part of recall. The French carmaker hasn't revealed the exact number of models affected.

Authorised Renault Dealerships across the country have started contacting customers about the said recall. The company has requested affected owners to get their vehicle inspected at their nearest Renault service centre. All inspection and replacement expenses under the recall will be borne by the manufacturer.