Pros and Cons Review Of The Renault Kwid

The Renault Kwid will always hold a special place in our motoring lore as the car that brought the SUV body style to the entry-level buyer. With its cutesy larger than life looks, it marked Renault’s entry into the competitive A and A+ segments of the Indian car market.

Well, that was 2015 and now here we are with this little bad boy. It’s the latest and most updated version of the Kwid and a rather comprehensive one at that too. A lot has changed since the Kwid was launched in 2015 and to see if this car has what it takes to be competitive in today’s market, we will tell you five things that we liked about the facelifted Renault Kwid and two things that we didn’t.

Positives

SUV Looks

When you are restrained by budget and dimensions, looks become a priority and Renault has chosen to go with the wildly popular SUV body style.

The Kwid’s styling has evolved with Renault global design philosophy and gone from square and sharp lines to curved edges and French funkiness that Renault is well known for. The face is entirely new with LED DRLs, a new grille and low set headlights to illuminate the road better. In profile, Renault has upped the wheel size from 13-inch to 14-inches with slightly bigger tyres too giving the Kwid a better stance than the outgoing model. The rear is a bit plain but the tail lamps have now got LED guide lights.

Touchscreen System

One of the selling points for the Kwid, when it was launched, was the inclusion of a touchscreen system. It was a first-in-segment feature at that time. Renault has updated the system on offer to its latest version. This updated version includes a new interface, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto apart from the usual’s like Bluetooth connectivity, AUX-IN and reverse camera with static guides. We’ve highlighted the details of this system in a separate story and you can find a link in the description below.

Digital Dials

The Kwid was the first car in the segment to bring in a fully digital dashboard and what we have here is an updated version of the system.

The colour scheme has switched from green and orange to more futuristic blue dials over silver text. It’s actually quite a comprehensive display with multiple trip meters, RPM gauge, gear position indicator and even real-time consumption.

Ease of City Driving

The Kwid might look like a mini-SUV but it is still a small car with a small footprint. This small footprint makes it a breeze to drive in the city. We have some quips with the steering but its light nature makes it easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces. This 1.0-litre engine version that we are driving has a majority of its torque available quite low down making driving at city speeds quite a breeze. The AMT lacks a manual mode but has a creep function and with the traffic on our roads not looking at dying down anytime soon the two-pedal setup has its own advantages.

Low-Speed Ride

Small dimensions, easy manoeuvrability and a cushy low-speed ride are the trifectas when it comes to a city car and with the Kwid, Renault has managed to connect all the right dots.

Renault has boosted the tyre and wheel size but this has hardly affected the Kwid’s pliant ride quality that it has been known for. Most bumps and imperfections are done and dusted without much struggle and the 184mm SUV-like ground clearance means you get sufficient height to clear big obstacles without clenching too tightly.

Negatives

Dead Steering

An overt emphasis on being city-friendly has made the Kwid’s steering devoid of any feedback. There’s little to no feedback from the steering and while this may not be an issue at low speeds, out on the highway you need to plan your actions well in advance to be able to react to any scenarios.

Lack of Storage for Rear Passengers

You don’t get any kind of storage spaces for the rear occupants either in the doors or in the central armrest. This has been a constant issue with the Kwid right from the beginning. While it may not be an issue when you are by yourself or with another passenger in front, the pinch is felt when you have four occupants in the car. One saving grace is that the rear seatback folds flat for additional boot space.

Conclusion

We've examined the facelifted Renault Kwid in detail and these latest updates ensure that the car is still relevant to the entry-level segment of the car market. While we may not have been too impressed with its highway manners, lack of storage spaces at the rear of the absence of a manual mode for the AMT models, it does make for a good city car thanks to its compact dimensions, light steering and fuel-efficient petrol engines.

.

.

.

Article from https://www.carwale.com/renault-cars/

2021 Renault Captur Subcompact Crossover Gets Sportiness R.S. Line

Renault has applied the R.S. Line treatment to the second-gen Renault Captur, which follows hot on the heels of other R.S. Line models in the French brand’s portfolio with a sporty makeover inside and out.


Starting with the exterior, the subcompact crossover has an F1 blade attached to the front bumper, a honeycomb grille, and a grey rear diffuser. It rides on 18-inch ‘Le Castellet’ alloy wheels and features an ‘R.S. Line’ badge on the tailgate.



Visible when opening the front doors, the ‘Renault Sport’ sills are part of the makeover, and once inside, users will see the red accents applied to the seats, door cards, air vents and perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel. The seatbelts and ring around the gearshift lever sport the same red look, and the carbon finish applied to the dashboard rounds out the package.

Moreover, the extra tinted rear windows, front and rear parking sensors, 10-inch digital dashboard, reversing camera, electrochromic rearview mirror, and wireless charging pad for compatible smartphones are all standard.

The new Captur R.S. Line is fitted with the TCe 140 PS (103 kW) petrol engine coupled to either a manual or dual-clutch transmission.

Article from https://www.carscoops.com

Renault Duster SUV Gets A Powerful Turbocharged Petrol Engine

 Renault has launched the Duster with a new turbocharged petrol engine. It is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission and promises to offer tonnes of performance. We drive the SUV to find out if that claim stands correct or not.

The Renault Duster was the SUV that rocked it for Renault. People just fell in love with its muscular design and flared wheel arches. Over the years, technologies changed and Renault kept updating bits and pieces here and there. The company even launched the AWD version. But the best-seller continued to be the 1.5-litre diesel engine variant. However, with the advent of BS6 norms, that engine was not being upgraded. Sure there was the 1.5-litre petrol, but clearly Renault wanted to infuse some zing into the Duster. Hence in comes the Duster Turbo!

The Duster Turbo comes with minor exterior changes. There are red accents on the front bumper and grille. The roof rail gets the Duster insignia in red too. The alloy wheels are new but tyre sizes remain the same. At the back, there is a new ‘Turbo’ badge. Inside the new variant gets a new seat fabric and a new steering wheel too. The overall design remains the same and hence it looks a bit dated. We would have loved to see the Duster go through a comprehensive redesign which would bring it back into the fight with the Kia Seltos and the Hyundai Creta.

Moving on to the most important change here; the engine. The Duster is now powered by a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine. The motor churns out a mega 116kW and 254Nm of torque. All of it is sent to the front wheels via a 6-speed manual transmission. The engine comes with technologies like Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI), Dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT) which help reduce emissions. Renault also claims that the new Duster MT variant offers a fuel efficiency of 16.5kmpl.

Start her up and the Duster Turbo feels rather sprightly. In hooligan mode, the Duster is one impressive SUV. Launch the big Duster and instantly the electronic nannies come into play and cut off the power to restrain the wheel spin. Even when launched at 4,000rpm, the Duster darts towards the horizon rapidly. The surge of power is constant as one goes through the gears. As a result, acceleration is rather blistering for an SUV of its size. We just loved the way this new engine has infused so much grunt into the Duster. On regular driving jaunts, the feel of power constantly remains. Even when driving in third or fourth gear, the Duster has enough torque and power to get one out of situations. As a result overtaking is like child’s play. One can literally play around in traffic. The gearbox too is brilliant. It offers short throws and there is a certain notch which we loved. The bottom line is whether you decide to cruise or go fast, the Duster Turbo can do it both.

The ride quality on the other hand continues to be one of the best in business. The suspension irons out literally everything thrown at it. A little bit of noise is only what transmits into the cabin. The Duster also handles well. Sure it showcases a bit of roll, but it can take on challenges confidently as before. The steering though is slightly on the heavier side.

Verdict

The Duster might be an old SUV. But honestly, it still looks butch and purposeful. The flared wheel arches, LED DRLs, red accents etc still makes one want it. But where the Duster urgently needs attention is in the interior design. The dash especially the centre console looks old school and offers very little storage space. But where the Duster claws back is in the performance game. The engine is a tower of power and combined with the good handling characteristic, the Duster Turbo variant is a joy to drive. We just loved it but be careful, as so much power can surely get you a lot of speeding tickets.

Article from https://www.indiatoday.in/auto/

A Guide To Renault In South Africa

Renault South Africa is among the leading automotive brands in the country. It sells eight models across several segments, from small hatchbacks to compact SUVs. They also have a stake in the logistics market with a range of trucks and machinery.

They’re considered to be one of the safer road car manufacturers, regularly attaining a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. Don’t think they’re boring, though – Renault has a respected racing heritage, with their sporty road cars, participation in the FIA 24-hour Endurance Championship, and Formula One success.

With wide-ranging specs and a unique design, Renault is a great brand for those looking to stand out and Renault prices offer even more reason to get a Renault!

A Brief History of Renault

Renault was founded in 1898 in France by Louis Renault and his brothers. After years of success with new production lines and tailoring services, Renault was nationalised in 1945 to become Régie Nationale des Usines Renault (RNUR).

Renault’s 4CV was dubbed the ‘small car for everybody’ and quickly became an international sensation. This was followed by the famous Renaults 4 and 5, eventually followed by the 16, which helped establish them on the international rally scene. The company also boasts the iconic Renault Clio V6 model, admired for its solid performance and outstanding design.

Today, Renault is a leading French and international automaker with several unique models on offer.


Buying a Renault

Renault South Africa is among our leading automotive brands, with over 45 dealerships across the country. Their Clio model is regularly featured in the Naamsa top 10 best-selling cars of South Africa.

Their budget Kwid model and premium SUV Kadjar model showcase the extent of their range, while the highly popular Clio and Megane models continue to hold their own in their segments.

Renault also offers a range of commercial vehicles for which they can offer good service support.


Renault Models

While South Africa's Renault fans await the launch of the all-new fifth-gen Renault Clio V, the Clio Authentique 66kW Turbo remains a popular choice – and with good reason.

Its 0.9-litre, 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine is zippy and amazingly light on fuel. (The reported fuel consumption stats are 5.5 litres per 100 km.) With 66 kW and 150 Nm of torque, it's great for urban commutes and runabouts. It's also neatly kitted out with a 7-inch MediaNav infotainment system that includes Bluetooth, navigation and USB/aux.

Other features include 16-inch alloy wheels, an adjustable multifunction steering wheel, electric folding side mirrors, cruise control, four airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist and electronic stability control with traction control. The 300-litre luggage space in the back increases to 1 446 litres when the 60/40 split rear seats are folded down.

.

Article from https://www.hippo.co.za/

All-New Renault Clio is a Gamechanger

The Renault Clio is one of the most recognisable names in the automotive world and is synonymous with small, reasonably priced superminis that are great to drive and offer lots of big-car appeals.

The hotly-anticipated all-new Renault Clio has been launched in Ireland to much acclaim.

With the previous generation Clio proving itself to be a huge sales success for the French manufacturer, the new model could not afford to be anything but perfect.

Thankfully, the all-new Clio is the most advanced, most driver-focused, safest, and most comfortable model in the Clio’s illustrious 30-year history.

Impressive Safety:

The all-new Renault Clio has received the coveted 5-star rating in the latest Euro NCAP safety tests.

Groupe Renault’s best-selling model has been tested according to its new stringent protocol launched in 2018, and won the highest score with results at the highest level of the market, regardless of the segment.

It is also one of the safest city cars ever tested by Euro NCAP. The safety performance achieved is due in part to the enhanced passive safety and the most comprehensive range of driving aids in the segment.

In addition, the all-new Clio’s excellent interior safety features make it possible to install a wide variety of child seats, both front and rear, on Isofix and with the I-size system, as well as featuring enhanced head protection for the rear passengers in case of a side impact.

Trim & Engine Options:

There are four trim levels to choose from in the new Renault Clio – Expression, Dynamique, Iconic, and range-topping RS Line.

The new Clio is better equipped than ever before, with even the entry-level Expression model benefiting from full LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, body-coloured door handles and mirrors, traffic sign recognition, cruise control with speed limiter, and heated front seats, along with a suite of active safety systems including lane-keep assist and automatic emergency braking.

Presently, there are four engines to choose from – three petrols and one diesel. The range starts with the SCe 75, a naturally aspirated 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit with 71bhp that’s only available with a five-speed gearbox.

A more sophisticated, turbocharged version of this engine is offered in the TCe 100, producing 99bhp and offered with a five-speed manual, or optional continuously variable transmission (CVT).

A four-cylinder petrol engine is offered in the form of the TCe GPF, a 1.3-litre unit that’s already been used in some much larger Renault cars including the Megane and Kadjar. It produces 128bhp and only comes in combination with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

The single diesel engine option is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit (Blue dCi 85) with 84bhp and a healthy 220Nm of torque.


Review Car:

My review car was a Renault Clio RS Line TCe 100, which looked amazing in Iron Blue metallic paint.

Key standard RS Line equipment includes 17” R.S. Line diamond-cut alloy wheels, an exclusively-styled front bumper with F1-style blade painted Gun Metal Grey with a Bee-Hive lower grille, front LED fog lights, oval chrome exhaust finisher, Gun Metal Grey rear spoiler and lower door protectors, rearview camera, front parking sensors, and a 9.3” Easylink infotainment system with satellite navigation and smartphone replication.

On the road, the new Clio proved itself to be a fun, proficient car to drive, with excellent driving dynamics for an overall terrific driving experience. Well-weighted steering and solid brakes ensure that the new Clio is a true driver’s car, while excellent levels of damping allow the car to handle road imperfections with ease.

The cabin in the new Clio is truly impressive, with excellent ergonomics and high-quality materials used throughout. Boot space has also increased, with 391-litres available with the rear seatbacks in place, and up to 1,069-litres on offer when the rear seats are folded flat.

The boot gets much of its volume thanks to its deep floor, yet the boot opening is wide and has a relatively low lip – two important factors when loading or unloading heavy items.

Verdict & Pricing:

Overall, the all-new Renault Clio is a star of the supermini class – well-built, good to drive and packed with technology too.

While the previous generation Clio was a well-balanced car in every respect, the latest iteration has genuinely upped its game. The new Renault Clio price starts at just (approximately) R358,000 and represents terrific value for money.
.
.
.
.

Original article from https://dublingazette.com/

Hitting The Open Road In The 2020 Renault Sandero Stepway Techroad

When the latest-generation Renault Sandero was introduced back in 2014, the Stepway version quickly surged in popularity to become the model of choice in the range.

And it’s not hard to see why.

For a relatively low price you get a decent-sized hatchback with an SUV-inspired design package and more safety kit than most of its rivals offer. No one’s pretending that this is some kind of bundu basher (for that you’ll have to get a Duster, which is also very reasonably priced) but the Stepway does at least strike the right chord with buyers seeking a bit of SUV flavour at the lower end of the market.

Renault has also kept it fresh over the years with subtle upgrades coming almost annually, and the latest enhancement - announced in August - sees the introduction of a new ‘Techroad’ model that replaces the Dynamique as the flagship of the range, presumably until something even more colourful comes along next year. That said, Dacia - which builds the Sandero for Renault - has already shown off a 2020 Renault Sandero, although at this stage it has yet to be confirmed for the local market.

So what sets the Stepway Techroad apart?

The styling changes are subtle but include unique design decals on the B-Pillars and lower doors as well as two-tone ‘alloy-look’ Flex wheel covers with blue centre caps and gloss black door mirrors. Cabin decor comes in the form of a new upholstery design with blue detailing.

As before, power comes from the familiar 900cc, three-cylinder turbo petrol, offering 66kW at 5250rpm and 135Nm from 2500 revs, and driving the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox.

While there’s nothing new to report on the engine front, our test slot coincided with a recent return trip from Joburg to Durban, which proved a perfect opportunity to see if this crossover hatch, which is usually confined to city driving, actually had the legs for long-distance driving.

All in all, it proved to be a mixed bag. I was impressed by its sense of refinement on the open road and the way the engine ticked away quietly at low revs when at cruising velocity. It definitely felt like a bigger car in terms of its overall refinement. However, when it came to tackling hills or overtaking slower traffic, it wasn’t quite as perky as I would have expected from a turbocharged engine, even given its small size.

Granted, it does get the job done when you gear down a cog or two, but I tried my best to stay in fifth for as long as possible in order to achieve optimal fuel consumption.

On that note, our test car sipped an average of 6.1 litres per 100km on the 1200km return trip.

Thankfully, this engine doesn’t sip too much more fuel in urban confines as a previous test car that we sampled in 2018 sipped 7.1 litres per 100km during a week of urban-heavy commuting.

Decent size, ample safety kit

It’s worth noting that the Sandero is a larger and heavier car than many of its price rivals, the Stepway tipping the scales at 1055kg, but its size and weight does come with its advantages in terms of overall cabin space as well as safety. On that note, the South African spec Sandero achieved an adult occupant rating of three stars in the ‘Safer Cars for Africa’ crash test performed by Global NCAP.

The Sandero also has more active safety and driver assistance features than most budget cars, including ESP stability control, emergency brake assistance (EBA) and hill-start assist. Passive safety kit comes in the form of dual front and side airbags.

In terms of practicality, the cabin feels spacious upfront, and while rear legroom is decent, it’s perhaps not as ample as I’d expect from a car of this size. The boot is very generous however and it actually seems bigger than the claimed volume of 292 litres - perhaps Renault didn’t stack it up to the top? Either way, our test car swallowed two peoples’ week-long luggage without a fuss.

The cabin is well-appointed and has all the latest infotainment features, including a touch screen infotainment system that’s compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the system also features a satnav and a reverse camera. Also standard on the Techroad is cruise control, electric mirrors and windows (front and rear) and rear park assist. Leather seat upholstery is a R10 000 option.

VERDICT

The Sandero Stepway is a solid, practical and fashionable ‘pumped up’ hatchback that makes a strong case for itself and as an entry into the crossover realm, it certainly makes some sense.

.

.

.

Original article from https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/

Renault likely to revive classic 4 and 5 nameplates for new EVs

The French firm is set to unveil a bold revival plan - which could include the return of some classic nameplates

Renault will reinvent a number of its classic models as electric cars as part of a bold turnaround plan set to be unveiled by new boss Luca de Meo, according to reports.

Former Seat boss de Meo was given the top job at the French giant last year. He has been working on a new business plan to boost sales and reposition the firm, which began last September with the unveiling of a major internal restructure. De Meo is now set to unveil the next phase in his plan on Thursday January 14, in an event billed as a 'Renaulution'.

Reuters, citing two sources, states that de Meo’s plan will focus on future product ranges, and will include the revival of at least two classic nameplates to strengthen the focus on Renault’s French heritage.

They will include an electric reinvention of the 4L, based on the city car originally launched in the 1960s as a rival to the Mini and Fiat 500. An electric version of the Renault 5, originally offered in two generations from 1972 until it was replaced by the Clio in 1996, is also reportedly set to be revealed.

No more details of the models have been given, but they could potentially share a platform with the existing Zoe electric hatch or use the new Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance CMF-EV electric platform, which Renault will first use for the forthcoming production version of the Megane eVision.

The Megane eVision is a crossover that uses the long-running nameplate of the firm’s family hatch, and also features a retro-infused design with numerous nods to Renault’s past. As with the Megane, reviving classic model names such as the 4 and 5 would be a way for Renault to pitch early electric models to a more style-focused audience, in a similar way to how Fiat has positioned its new electric 500.

Reuters also claims that Renault will reveal three electric models for its Alpine sub-brand. As previously reported by Autocar, Renault bosses have been considering turning Alpine into an electric-only performance brand, with a reshuffle last year securing the firm's long-term future.

Do Meo’s plan is also set to include culling several long-running models that have waned in popularity in recent years, including the Espace MPV.

.

.

.

Original article from https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/