Renault Kiger: High On Convenience And Priced Right

Renault arrived late to the sub-4 metre SUV party, but it came prepared. With the Renault Kiger, it has been able to create a sweet spot for itself in the ultra-competitive sub-4 metre SUV segment (along with Nissan Magnite, with which the Kiger shares the platform).

The top-end Kiger Turbo Xtronic CVT RXZ seems rather price, but we see if it’s value-for-money and how convenient it is to drive.

Muscular lines on the body, roof rails, high ground clearance (205mm), wheel arch cladding and spoiler give this variant a more SUV look compared to entry-level models that are priced almost half (which look more like a hatchback). At the same time, somewhere it does look a bit over the top.

The cabin has plenty of ‘functional’ storage spaces, the dashboard has a distinctive design, and it also appears to be the most spacious SUV in its segment.

The 999cc turbocharged petrol engine (100PS; 152Nm) powering this variant is quite engaging to drive. It has three drive modes: Eco, Normal and Sport (the default mode is Normal).

As opposed to automatic gearboxes like AMT, the CVT is far smoother. The feel of acceleration in the Normal and Sport modes is great, but the real-world fuel efficiency I got in both these modes was around 15 km/litre during city driving. The steering feedback—mechanical signals that front tyres send to the steering wheel—is accurate and you feel most bumps and dips on the road through the steering wheel.

In the Eco mode, the Kiger feels quite low on power, and acceleration is slower. But in city driving conditions it returned me 20.4 km/litre, which is among the best in India for a petrol-engine car.

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Sourced from https://www.financialexpress.com/

Pros And Cons To Know Before Planning To Buy A Renault Triber

The Renault Triber is a decent choice for anyone looking to buy a compact 7-seater family car under R250,000. So, if you too are planning to buy it, here are some key pros and cons you should know about.

The Renault Triber was the first sub-4-metre vehicle from the French carmaker in India. Subcompact MPV was also the first vehicle to be based on a heavily modified version of the company's CMF-A platform and right now, one of the best-selling models from Renault India. 

The Triber is quite a capable car and a decent choice for anyone looking to buy a compact 7-seater family car under Rs. 10 lakh. So, if you too are planning to buy the Renault Triber MPV, here are some key pros and cons you should know about before making that final decision.

Pros

1. The Renault Triber is arguably one of the best 7-seater vehicles you can buy under the R200,000 that can actually seat 7 average-sized adults.

2. The Triber has received an impressive 4-star rating for adult occupant protection by Global NCAP.

3. The Triber gets the signature EasyFix modular seats for the third row with fold/tumble function. They are removable and allow you to create multiple layout options.

4. Renault offers a bunch of smart features like - projector headlamps, LED DRLs, electric boot release, and a pair of functional roof rails. The cabin gets a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear AC vents, and sliding second-row seats.

5. Renault has priced the Triber quite attractively. It's a good alternative for any looking for a car bigger than a compact hatch, on a budget.

Cons

1. The Triber might get a spacious cabin, but it lacks when it comes to quality. The materials used for the interior could have been better, and the seats could use more cushioning.

2. Even though the third row is spacious enough to fit two adults, it's only suited for a short distance, and might get a bit uncomfortable during long journeys.

3. While the Triber has scored a 4-star safety rating, the middle second-row passenger only gets a lap belt, and the seatbelts in the third row are not retractable.

4. The Triber's 1.0-litre engine is underpowered and does make a lot of noise as it gets going - typical of a 3-pot motor.

5. Renault doesn't offer a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine with the Triber, even though the company already offers it with the Kiger subcompact SUV.

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Info sourced from https://www.carandbike.com/news/

Renault Triber Roadtested - Here’s The Verdict

When versatile little people carrier meets funky crossover, this could be the best of both worlds…

Some cynics believe the acquisition of an MPV to meet a family’s motoring needs is the equivalent of waving a white flag in the face of more aspirational fare. It’s a pity, really, as beneath their slabby shells, most small MPVs are cheerful and hugely practical. But what if you could drape the rugged “lifestyle” (ever the buzzword) garb of the sought-after crossover over the frame of a practical people carrier? With its Triber, Renault has done just that and at an eminently affordable price point. And it looks most promising, indeed.

The new Renault Triber for sale shares much of its underpinnings with the ever-popular Kwid, including the Renault-Nissan-developed CMF-A compact modular platform. This foundation has seen its wheelbase stretched from the hatchback’s 2 422 mm to an impressive-for-its-size 2 636 mm in the Triber. Bear in mind it approaches the wheelbases of larger rivals such as the Toyota Avanza and Suzuki Ertiga, but still comes in at less than four metres long. The Triber is a practical package but it needs to be clothed in a manner that will appeal to the crossover-crazy masses. Renault seems to have succeeded in this regard.

In much the same way a weary parent will try to disguise bitter medicines from fussy kids by burying them in sweets, Renault has taken a largely unpalatable MPV-shaped pill and dipped it in a more appealing crossover-flavoured coating.

Our test unit’s striking Honey Yellow metallic paintwork certainly shares parallels with the above analogy but it’s the inclusion of such crossover staples as faux bash plates, chunky cladding for the runners and wheel arches, and roof rails with a 50 kg load rating that manage to steer the Triber away from the often banal MPV formula.

Inside, the Triber’s MPV bearing is evident in a cabin that’s versatile and impressively spacious for a vehicle of its relatively diminutive proportions. Up front, the driver is presented with a tidy and fairly solid facia. Ancillary controls are logically placed and their simplicity is balanced by striking features: a crisp, smartphone-enabled touchscreen infotainment system and a digital instrument array with a funky segmented rev counter. Although the seats are narrow, they feel supported and present a lofty driving position with a good field of vision; it also avoids the steering wheel-betwixt-knees stance thanks to its adjustable column.

There are some neat storage features sewn into the driver’s compartment, too, including a dual-tier cubby, door bins capable of accommodating a one-litre drinks bottle and a ventilation-connected centre console with a three-speed fan that can (somewhat noisily) cool its contents. It forms part of an air-conditioning system that feeds vents in all three rows and is mighty effective.

The second row features a 40:20:40-split seatback with a variable rake. It slides back to provide between 565 mm and a sprawling 721 mm of legroom, while the third row’s individual pews are more kid-friendly in their proportions.

All three sections of the cabin are accessed by wide-opening doors and are marked by an impressive amount of modularity in their seating arrangements. Leave everything in its place and you have a seven-seater MPV. Remove the rearmost seats and you’ve got a spacious five-seater with between 504 and 584 litres of loadspace aft. Taking out these seats isn’t cumbersome as the seatbacks and cushions detach separately (a boon for those less muscle-bound). Longer loads of around two metres can be accommodated by folding all three passenger-side seats, while stowing both second- and third-row seats free up an impressive 1 096 litres of utility space.

Packing this much versatility into such a compact and cost-effective shell does, however, involve a couple of noteworthy concessions. The most evident is in the third row where inertia-reel safety belts make way for less forgiving solid-anchor items, and mere inches between the headrest and rear hatch glass could be a concern in a rear collision. Thankfully, the Triber doesn’t skimp in many other areas of safety, with this range-topper featuring dual front and side airbags, along with ABS and EBD.

Sharing much of its mechanicals with the Kwid, it’s fair to say we didn’t have high hopes for the Triber in terms of drivability but we walked away pleasantly surprised. The floatiness that mars some of the Kwid’s driving manners isn’t evident, partly owing to suspension and damper calibration which strikes a neat balance between bump absorption and body roll. While the steering is a bit numb, it’s light and twirly enough to make short work of urban weaving. But the most impressive aspect is its stability at speed. Where the Kwid often feels precarious at pace, the Triber is palpably more planted and settled when the speedometer needle creeps into triple figures. Granted, the combination of the high sides and lightweight does hamper the Triber in strong crosswinds but it’s amazing how far removed it is from its marginally smaller relative.

Early in its development, Renault’s engineers shelved a planned diesel engine in favour of a compact petrol unit in a move that freed up additional cabin space. The decision has, however, been a double-edged sword as the petrol powertrain removes some of the sheens from an otherwise pleasing driving experience. Although the naturally aspirated 1,0-litre inline-three petrol engine is working against just 969 kg of car, its 52kW and 96 Nm outputs are decidedly modest. This isn’t helped by noticeably tardy throttle response and a light clutch with a high biting point; both conspire to make town driving erratic and less fluid. Thankfully, the shift action of the five-speed ‘box is short and snippy and once up to speed (0-100 km/h took almost 17,0 seconds), the Triber settles into a relaxed rhythm. It’s a pity the turbo-equipped HRA0 engine hasn’t found its way here, as that unit’s 74 kW and 160 N.m would address such shortcomings.

As a value proposition, there’s little to touch this range-topping Prestige model, with keyless entry and start, air-con, electric windows and mirrors and smartphone-enabled touchscreen infotainment system joining a two-year/30 000 km service plan.

Original source: https://www.carmag.co.za/car-reviews/

All-New Renault Clio V Price In SA

 

The new Clio 5 takes aim at French rivals Peugeot's 208 and Citroën's C3, as well as the newly refreshed Volkswagen Polo.

Ahead of its long-awaited debut this week, Renault South Africa has divulged complete specification and pricing details of the fifth-generation Clio on its website.

Unveiled as far back as the Geneva Motor Show in 2019, the Clio arrives after no-less than two delays with the most recent being as a result of the global semi-conductor crisis.

Based on the same CMF-B platform as the Nissan Micra, the Clio measures 4 050 mm in overall length with its wheelbase stretching 2 583 mm and its width 1 988 mm.

Standing 1 440 mm tall, the claimed boot capacity is rated at 391 litres with the dropping of the 60/40 split rear seat increasing the luggage capacity to 1 069-litres.

For South Africa, the line-up consists of three models, all powered by the same 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine used in the Micra.

In the Clio though, the unit has been retuned to produce 74kW/160Nm with the only transmission option being a five-speed manual.

Claimed top speed is 187 km/h with the 0-100 km/h sprint taking 11.8 seconds. According to Renault, the Clio will consume unleaded at a rate of 5.7 L/100 km.

Styling builds on that of the previous Clio

As with the Kiger, the Clio becomes the second local model to adopt Renault’s new trim level designations, with the Life serving as the entry-level model followed by the mid-range Zen and the flagship Intens.

On the equipment front, the Life rides on 16-inch wheels with “flex” imitation alloy covers, with the sound system consisting of six-speaker audio, dual USB ports and a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Also standard are:

• PureVision LED headlights;
• body-coloured electric mirrors;
• 4.2-inch TFT instrument cluster display;
• multi-function steering wheel;
• cruise control;
• rear parking sensors;
• electric front windows;
• black fabric seats
• four airbags;
• Hill Start Assist;
• ABS with EBD and EBA;
• Electronic Stability Control

Moving one up, the Zen retains the mentioned infotainment system, albeit with integrated satellite navigation, while also getting the following:

• PureVision Performance LED headlights with Auto High Beam Assist;
• body-coloured door handles;
• faux leather-wrapped steering wheel;
• black/anthracite interior;
• LED fog lamps;
• chrome air vent surrounds;
• height-adjustable driver’s seat

The interior is all new and comes with a choice of three infotainment sizes.

Completing the range, the Intens is mounted on 16-inch alloy wheels with its exterior being highlighted by gloss black window surrounds and mirror caps, chrome detailing and privacy glass.

Additional standard items include:

• Lane Departure Warning;
• LED daytime running lights;
• climate control;
• all around electric windows;
• seven-inch digital instrument cluster;
• key card access;
• push-button start;
• rain sense wipers;
• interior ambient lighting;
• wireless smartphone charger;
• leather steering wheel and gear lever;
• front armrest;
• satin chrome interior detailing;
• black interior;
• height-adjustable passenger’s seat

An additional capital outlay of R20 000 though sees the Intens being outfitted with the following:

• front parking sensors;
• reverse camera;
• 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels;
• 9.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system

In all, six colours are available:

• Glacier White;
• Urban Grey;
• Mercury Metallic;
• Diamond Black Metallic;
• Titanium Grey Metallic;
• Flame Red Metallic

Price

Included with each models’ sticker price is a five-year/150 000 km warranty as well as a two-year/30 000 km service plan.

Get the latest Renault Clio prices here.

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Info found on https://www.citizen.co.za/motoring/

What The Used Renault Megane Hatchback Is Like

 The Renault Mégane has been for sale in various forms for a very long time, but it’s fair to say that – sporty Renault Sport versions aside – it’s never quite caught on with the SA buying public in the way the French firm had hoped.

This has perhaps been more to do with the quality of its rivals than any serious faults in the Mégane because it’s always been a decent car to drive and one with its own unique style.

The fourth-generation model was launched in 2016 and, as well as a bold new look outside, it incorporated a sleek and high-tech interior laden with safety kit and executive toys. The car is larger – being longer, lower and wider – and considerably more sophisticated than previous Méganes.

It drives well, too, with a good range of engines that encompass a lively 128bhp 1.2-litre petrol unit and a super-quick 1.6, as well as a trio of diesel options that includes the economical 1.5-litre dCi 110 and the punchy yet abstemious 1.6 dCi 130. There’s also a higher-powered 1.6-litre diesel that combines speed with reasonably good fuel consumption. Later models were whittled down to just a 1.3-litre TCE 130 petrol and 1.5-litre dCi 115 diesel engine. 

Where the Megane excels is the amount of equipment you get compared with its rivals. Even the entry-level Expression+ gets cruise control, air-con, DAB radio and Bluetooth. You also get driver’s seat height and lumbar adjustment.

The Dynamique Nav model has swish night-time ambient interior lighting, power-folding door mirrors and dual-zone climate control. You also get keyless entry, a configurable 7.0” digital display in place of analogue instruments, and a 7.0’’ touchscreen for the infotainment system that comes equipped with sat-nav. There are also important safety features such as a system to warn you if you drift out of your lane, auto-sensing lights and wipers, automatic headlamp dipping, rear parking sensors and a speed limit display.

The GT Line Nav trim adds a sportier theme to the above, with dark-chrome door mirror casings and more aggressive bumpers outside, plus sports seats inside. Dynamique S Nav trim adds the 8.7in infotainment screen, front parking sensors and a rear-view camera; Signature Nav augments that with 18in alloy wheels, LED headlights and leather seat trim.

The range-topping GT Nav is available only in the earlier models with the sportier 1.6 205 petrol engine. A seven-speed automatic gearbox was standard, as well as more macho-looking exterior styling and sports seats inside. The rest of the specification largely mirrors that of the Dynamique S Nav model.

The entry-level 1.2-litre petrol is fine for town driving and shorter journeys, but you need to work it quite hard for motorway trips, making it rather a noisy unit. The diesel engines better suit more robust use. The 1.5-litre diesel unit has similar power to its rivals, but it feels slower in real-world driving compared with a Seat Leon 1.6 TDI 110 or Vauxhall Astra 1.6 CDTi, because the Mégane weighs more. It sounds quiet, even when working hard, but you do feel the engine’s vibrations buzzing through the pedals.

The 1.6 130 diesel is a good fit, offering flexible performance (without being quick) and relative refinement, plus it’s a smooth runner on motorway journeys. It isn’t the most refined diesel engine in this class, and you will still get a harsh engine note if you push it hard. The more powerful version of the 1.6-litre diesel is quick but less economical and not very refined.

The range-topping 1.6-litre petrol comes in the GT Nav trim only and is matched with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. It’s a warm hatch model designed to compete with cars such as the Ford Focus ST and Peugeot 308 GTi. However, on the road, it feels a little flat and is quite thrashy when revved hard. That auto 'box changes slickly but is occasionally hesitant when changing gear manually with the steering wheel paddles.

Underneath was a new platform that contributed to the car’s improved road behaviour. The Mégane is still set up on the soft side, however, and although the ride is initially comfortable the car can roll in corners and doesn’t like to be hustled around too quickly.

Inside, there’s plenty of space upfront, as well as a good and adjustable driving position. Passengers in the rear will feel a little cramped behind a taller driver, though, with less legroom available than in some of the Mégane’s rivals. Likewise, the boot is a good size, but the overall capacity is slightly below what is offered by the best in this class.

The interior’s a good and modern place to be, even if some of the functions controlled via the infotainment screen can be a little fiddly to use, and there’s a range of well-equipped trims to seek out.

Ultimately, the Mégane fails to make a dent in the supremacy of its rivals, but it’s a smart and desirable car that will serve many people’s needs well, and there are now quite a few on the used car market at temptingly low prices.

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Review posted on https://www.whatcar.com/renault/

Renault Kiger Replaced The Renault Sandero And It’s Great

The new Renault Kiger that’s been launched in SA takes on the task of bridging a gap, replacing the Renault Sandero for sale, which for many years was the crossover point into larger Renault territory.

It’s a stylish-looking compact SUV that blends the familiar V-shape grilles and letterbox-design headlights of the Kwid and Triber with short overhangs and a sloping roof.

Based on the same scalable platform shared with the seven-seat Renault Triber, and group cousin Nissan Magnite, it has a 205mm ground clearance, which, however, doesn’t elevate it to genuine off-road status, even if it sits only 5mm lower off the ground than its rugged Renault Duster cousin. The front-wheel-drive Kiger is more of an urban crossover that’s capable of forming dust clouds on dirt roads.

It looks funky, especially when painted in bright colours such as Caspian Blue and Radiant Red. There are also Cool White, Planet Grey, Moonlight Grey and Mahogany Brown paint options, but the range-topping variants get two-tone body colour.

Customers will find a vast difference in the interior set-ups from the Kwid. The Kiger is roomier, with a commanding driver’s seat position and a 2,500mm-long wheelbase that feels like it can easily accommodate a family of four to five with ease on 60/40 split-folding rear seats, and a 405l boot.

The arrival of the Kiger also marks the introduction of new grade names: Life (base spec), Zen (mid-spec) and Intens (high-grade.) I tested the Life specification at the car launch, and even this basic version has a modern dash with a 20.3cm floating touchscreen that becomes an extension of your smartphone wirelessly through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The instrument binnacle is a colourful and digital layout, while the main display screen can also have a built-in MP4 video player and runs a new auditorium 3D sound system by Arkamys. A hands-free smart access card allows for keyless door locking/unlocking and engine start.

Further conveniences include automatic air conditioning, ambient lighting, voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity that can pair up to five devices, and a fast-charging USB socket.

The Kiger also comes with a reinforced body structure, ABS brakes, stability control, Isofix child seat anchors and four airbags among its safety features.

The seven-model Kiger range is available in two engine guises and a trio of transmission alternatives. It’s a naturally aspirated 1.0l three-cylinder engine with outputs of 52kW and 96Nm for the Life and entry-level Zen models.

The second-tier Zen model is equipped with the same engine but mated to an automated manual transmission (AMT). It allows drive either in fully automatic or sequential mode. The third Zen model gets a turbocharged 1.0l heart with 74kW and 160Nm linked with a manual gearbox.

Higher ranking Kiger Intens models are fitted exclusively with the turbo motor and a manual gearbox or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and fuel consumption rated at 5l/100km. 

Intens models include a reverse camera with guiding lines and three driving modes: Normal, Eco and Sport. These modes also change the appearance of the TFT screen, with green for Eco and red for Sport.

My first drive experience with the Kiger was a mixed bag. Renault knows full well that the thousands of Kwid buyers should be ready to migrate to a larger car and, importantly, these need to be groovy yet practical. The Kiger covers this well.

It’s not, however, the best drive experience. I didn’t get to drive the turbo model, but the normally aspirated 1.0l is underpowered and requires deft work on its good manual transmission to keep it in the power band, especially on steep inclines.

The engine has an audibly coarse note that constantly drones into the cabin at all times. This can become tiresome for others, but the behaviour of the Kiger on roads and its overall damping is acceptable.

All Renault Kiger models come standard with a five-year/150,000km mechanical warranty and three-year/30,000km service plans for models fitted with the normally aspirated engine, and a two-year/45,000km for turbo models.

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Story sourced from https://www.businesslive.co.za/

Renault Kwid In SA In 2022: Updates

 The updated Renault Kwid 2022 range offers dual airbags as standard. It also brings along new options like dual-tone paint for the Kwid Climber model.

Renault launched a new updated model of the 2021 model-year Renault Kwid. The update to the micro SUV/crossover in the A-segment offers dual airbags now as standard. Dual airbags will now be offered on both the Kwid 800cc and the Kwid 1.0L with both manual and semi-automatic AMT models. The addition of the airbags comes ahead of the Indian government looking to mandate dual airbags in cars.

However, the Renault Kwid in the past was awarded 0 stars for adult occupant protection in the Global NCAP crash test safety for no airbag variant and for a driver airbag variant. But was then awarded 1 star after a repeat crash test in 2016 with a driver airbag, awarded just 8.28/17 points for adult occupant protection. Global NCAP rated the body shell as “Unstable”. The model has not been crash-tested since.

Fast forward to the present day, the Kwid has been updated with added safety features like front driver side pyrotech and pretensioner and ABS with EBD as standard as per current Indian regulations.

Other feature additions to the new Kwid include a new dual-tone exterior in white with a black roof for the new Kwid Climber edition. This model also comes equipped with electronically adjustable ORVMs and a day and night IRVM. Mechanically, the new Kwid is identical to the model it replaces for all versions.

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Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/auto/car-news/