The Renault KWID concept car unveiled at the Delhi Auto Show highlights both Renault’s commitment to new markets, such as India, as well as the company’s ability to produce appealing products in the compact car segment. The vehicle’s fun, yet robust design, along with its technology-driven features, is targeted at meeting the needs of young customers in these markets.
The KWID was designed with inputs from Renault Design India and is covered by the ‘Explore’ petal of Renault’s lifecycle-based design strategy. The vehicle’s exciting proportions and dimensions as well as very short overhangs give the impression of a bouncing vehicle, while its oversized wheels protrude past the fenders and make the KWID look like a buggy car.
The playfulness of the vehicle’s exterior design is offset by a robust appearance due to its protective guards and chunky wings, which exude an impression of strength. The vehicle comes with a two-wheel drive transmission, but projects the facade of an off-road car.
(L to R) Gilles Normand, Senior Vice President, Chairman of Asia-Pacific Region, Renault S.A.S. and Sumit Sawhney, Country CEO & Managing Director, Renault Operations in India
The interior of the KWID is designed to serve as a snug cocoon and is inspired by a bird’s nest. The vehicle’s seats, suspended over a solid base in white, give an impression of lightness, while their 2-tone elastomer material provides a sense of brightness. The KWID also features rear air conditioning with controls on the driver seat’s back as well as ventilation through concentric perforations. The dashboard is an integrated tablet for commanding the navigation of the Flying Companion.
The KWID is also Z.E ready – being pre-disposed to receive batteries for electric use – and comes with a charging plug behind the Renault logo. The KWID is powered by the latest-generation downsized 1.2-litre petrol turbocharged engine mated to a dual-clutch transmission to combine driving enjoyment with low fuel consumption. Other technology-rich features include electric operated front bench seat on a center rail, electric opening doors, LED lighting, lack of gearshift and command keys next to the steering. The vertically-mounted TFT touchscreen display acts as the dashboard in the KWID and also provides access to connected services.
A multinational concept car, the KWID is the first of its kind in Renault to target new markets. Renault Designers around the world, including India cooperated to conceive a vehicle made for local markets and designed to meet the latters’ needs. The interior of the vehicle was designed by François Grenier (Technocentre Design, France) based on original drawings by Mishu Batra (Renault Design India) and the exterior by Anton Shamenkov (of Russian origins, Technocentre Design, France) based on original drawings by Jean Semeriva (Studio Design Brazil). The colors and materials of the vehicle were worked upon by Neha Lad (Indian trainee, Technocentre Design) and developed by Chie Yanagisawa (Japanese designer, Technocentre Design). Axel Breun (Technocentre Design) was the overall Project Manager.
“This is the first time we have chosen to reveal a concept car outside Europe and this is an eloquent sign of our commitment to India. Young customers in India are often trend setters, looking forward to pushing the envelope when it comes to technology and enjoyable drives. The KWID, with its Flying Companion, meets this forward-looking spirit with both its dynamic styling and hyper connectivity.” Gilles Normand, Senior Vice President, Chairman of Asia-Pacific Region, Renault S.A.S.
“Renault has seen unparalleled growth in India in just under 3 years and the market is set to continue playing a significant role in the company’s global strategy in the years to come.” said Sumit Sawhney, Country CEO & Managing Director, Renault Operations in India. “The reveal of the KWID in India – the first such unveil outside Europe, as well as its design keeping in mind the young customers in India illustrate our strong commitment to the country.”
