Buoyed by the huge response for the Kwid hatchback, French car manufacturer Renault is gearing up for several launches over the next two years in India. IBTimes India had earlier reported the Duster facelift and automatic in early 2016, which will be followed by the 1.0-litre engine and AMT for the Kwid hatchback.
Our sources also revealed Renault India's product launch strategyfor 2017. In the first half of 2017, Renault will launch the Captur compact SUV, which will strengthen its SUV portfolio, along with the Duster. The second half of 2017 will witness the launch of the Laguna sedan, which will be renamed when introduced in India.
Renault Captur
Renault Captur will compete in the sub-four-metre compact SUV category in India, which is the domain of Ford Ecosport. Although Captur measures more than four metres in the international market, the India spec will be under four metres to avail the excise duty benefits for smaller cars. The Captur is based on the fourth-generation Renault Clio platform.
The compact SUV is available in 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines in the international market. The 1.5-litre direct injection, common-rail diesel is the same K9K engine that also does duty in the Duster sold in India.
The engine develops 89bhp at 4,000rpm and 220Nm at 1,750rpm mated to five-speed manual and six-speed DCT transmission. When launched India, Captur will use the same powertrain international model. However, the availability of DCT transmission is still an uncertainty.
Renault Laguna sedan
Renault India's current sedan offerings are the Scala and the Fluence, both of which are not sold in volumes. To put an end to the drought in sedan sales, Renault will launch the Laguna, which is expected to replace Fluence. The Laguna is currently in its third generation, and features updated light clusters as well as new front and rear bumpers. The interior gets new sporty, mixed-material upholstery, an updated dashboard and better sound isolation.
The same K9K engine powering the Duster and Captur will also power the Laguna in its higher state of tune. The 1,461cc four-cylinder engine develops 109bhp at 4,000rpm and 240Nm of torque, mated to six-speed manual transmission. A 1.2-litre M9R petrol engine is available in the iInternational Laguna, which is not expected in India. The car will bear a new name when launched in India.
