2014 Auto Expo: Renault announces a new concept car called the KWID

Renault announced a new compact SUV concept today at the Auto Expo. The

concept is a sub-four metre crossover and is called the KWID concept. The

concept is breaking cover for the first time globally.

 The first to begin the crossover segment in India, Renault is preparing to do

it differently this time. The new concept car is just 3.62 metres long and it

looks snazzy and futuristic. It is targeted at youngsters and is made

specifically for the emerging countries. The surprise element is a flying

companion, a first in the automotive industry, which can be used in two

modes, Automatic and Manual. This unique feature can be used for scouting

traffic, taking landscape pictures and detecting the path ahead. The interiors

are again unseen of and is built like a bird’s nest.

The KWID CONCEPT will be powered by a 1.2-litre petrol turbocharged engine

mated to dual-clutch transmission EDC to combine driving enjoyment with

low fuel consumption. It will also get features like an electrically operated

front bench seat on a center rail, electrically opening doors, LED lighting,

lack of gearshift (command with touches next to the steering). The

vertically-mounted TFT touchscreen display acts as the dashboard in the

KWID CONCEPT and also provides access to connected services.

Gilles Normand, Chairman of Asia-Pacific Region, Renault S.A.S. said “This is

the first time we have chosen to reveal a concept car outside Europe and this

is an eloquent sign of our commitment to India. Young customers in India are

often trend setters, looking forward to pushing the envelope when it comes to

technology and enjoyable drives. The KWID CONCEPT, with its Flying

Companion, meets this forward-looking spirit with both its dynamic styling

and hyper connectivity.”