Renault To Launch Kwid-Based Compact Sedan, Will Be Cheaper Than Maruti Dzire

Renault has very-well cracked the idea of making small and affordable cars. The manufacturer started off this idea with the Duster, then followed it with the Kwid, and then, recently launched the Triber. The manufacturer is expected to follow this suite again and launch a compact sedan this time. A recent report from The Economic Times, citing a hidden source, claims that the Kwid-based compact sedan, codenamed LBA, will undercut the Maruti Dzire with a decent margin.

Also Read - 2020 Renault Triber To Be As Powerful As the Maruti Baleno RS.

The LBA sedan will be based on the advance version of Kwid's platform that Triber is underpinned with.

The Dzire happens to be the highest-selling entry-level sedan in the country in terms of annual sales figures. Targeting this spot would, however, be tough for the French carmaker, but the heavy localization as on the Kwid and Triber would help to finish the task. The LBA sedan will be underpinned by the Triber’s CMF-A+ modular platform. Renault will utilize the platform’s USP of holding better engines and different body styles while developing the compact saloon. Renault is also developing an SUV on the same platform, codenamed – HBC.

At the 2020 Auto Expo, Renault showcased the 1.0L TCe (Turbo Control Efficiency) engine, which is expected to be the choice of engine for the LBA sedan. The engine would also be seen doing duties on the Triber soon. It is capable of producing a peak power output of 100 PS and max. torque of 160 Nm. The transmission options are also expected to be shared with the Triber, which comes with a 5-speed manual transmission as of now, but will get a 5-speed AMT soon.

Also Read - 2020 Renault Duster BSVI To Feature A Mercedes Engine.

The new TCe 1.0 L turbo-petrol engine will be offered with all the cars based on the CMF-A+ platform.

In the year 2019, Venkatram Mamillapalle, MD, Renault India, claimed “Today we have a Total Industry Volume (TIV) penetration of just 24% with the Duster, Kwid and Captur and my target is to go to 50%+. The low-cost entry-level sedan could be back on the table. The new management is planning on filling up the gap present in the current line-up with an aim to "double volumes to by 2022 to 2 lakh units." Going back on these words, we can expect the LBA sedan to make its debut sometime next year and go on sale to upscale the competition in the compact sedan space.