All you need to know about Renault Kwid 1.0-litre

The newly launched Kwid 1.0-litre is quite a crucial product for Renault India. We say crucial because it’s Renault’s ticket to the decisive 1-litre small car segment which has seen constant movement over the years thanks to products like the Maruti Alto K10, Wagon R and Hyundai Eon 1.0. What’s more, the addition of a bigger and more powerful engine option will certainly help Renault find more buyers for its little city runabout.   

Here’s all you need to know about the new Kwid 1.0-litre.

New engine

The Kwid 1.0-litre is all about its 999cc, three-cylinder engine. Designed to deliver more low-end and mid-range punch compared to the standard 800cc model, this bigger motor makes 68bhp at 5,500rpm and 91Nm of torque at 4,250rpm. It’s paired to the same 5-speed gearbox that’s also found in the 800cc Kwid. For comparison sake, the 800cc Kwid develops 54bhp and 72Nm. 

Couple of cosmetic changes

Renault India hasn’t done much to differentiate the new Kwid from its 800cc sibling. In fact, the only cosmetic changes are the silver housings for the wing mirrors and chequered decals on the sides. Dimension wise, the Kwid 1.0-litre is unchanged and even its 2422mm wheelbase is the same. The only difference here is the kerb weight which has gone by around 40kg to 699kg. 

Best in class power-to-weight ratio

Thanks to its lightweight underpinnings and good power output, the Kwid 1.0-litre has the highest power to weight ratio in its class, at 97bhp per tonne. In comparison, the Alto K10 measures in at 91bhp per tonne whereas the Eon 1.0 is 85bhp per tonne.

Price

Now for the all-important price, the Kwid 1.0-litre RXT variant has been launched at Rs 3.83 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) while the RXT (O) is priced at Rs 3.96 lakh. At these prices, the Kwid 1.0-litre undercuts its rivals by a significant margin and makes for a tempting choice for those on a tight budget.