New Renault Kwid to signal tiny breed of crossover

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18 May, 2014 7:00am Luke Madden

Renault plans to follow up its Kwid concept with a production version. Our exclusive images show how it could look

With the crossover boom showing no signs of slowing down, Renault is planning a new compact model based on the Kwid concept.

Renault has already signalled its intentions to produce a crossover smaller than the Clio-based Captur with the Kwid concept it displayed at the New Delhi Motor Show earlier this year.

That car was designed to show Renault’s commitment to developing markets. The concept measured in at just 3.6 metres long, but we’re expecting the production car to grow to around four metres – which is still 150mm shorter than the Captur.

The Renault Captur used the same name as the concept that previewed it, and Renault is expected to stick with the Kwid name, although the styling will be noticeably toned down, as revealed in our exclusive image.

The curvaceous body panels and wide-mouth grille are all part of Renault’s latest design-language, while the black plastic cladding and rugged underbody protection help create the muscular look that buyers in this class are after. The raised ride height and a certain amount of personalisation – like the contrasting roof colours – should also appeal.

Power is set to come from a range of small capacity engines, which could include the three-cylinder units set for the latest Twingo. That means 900cc TCe units, developing 89bhp and 69bhp. Key to the Kwid’s success will be keeping running costs down, and these small engines are the ideal way to do it.

Expect prices to be kept down, too, with a starting figure of around £11,500 when the Kwid is revealed in 2016, undercutting the £14,495 Captur.

Does the UK market need another smaller breed of crossover SUV? Tell us what you think in the comments section below and get our view on the best 4x4s to buy here...

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Submitted by paulhitch on Sun, 2014-05-18 07:36.

No-one in Renault's U.K. arm appears to have the guts to tell H.Q. when they are proposing to give a vehicle a silly name. The "Wind" also fell foul of colloquial English and left no more than a nasty smell!

Submitted by CL Hope on Sun, 2014-05-18 10:25.

And it gets worse, no we don't need another SUV ! and whats a 'Kwid' sounds like a slang phrase for quid lol who comes up with these names ? A 15 year old that cant be arsed to use proper English?? FFS !

Submitted by EndlessWaves on Sun, 2014-05-18 11:49.

I rather like the look of the concept car, it has far more personality than the usual bland crossover. If they can convert that quadcoptor bay into a folding hard top then it could be a cracking little car.

Submitted by johnfalckt on Mon, 2014-05-19 10:25.

Was it not because the actual car was so dire that it did not sell? Yes, Wind was a bad name for a car but I doubt it would sell any better with a decent name

Submitted by antonyr on Mon, 2014-05-19 10:25.

No No No Auto Express stop these stupid Exclusive images they are always so far from the truth. Very Very childish they are wait as we all can for of original photos. I agree with the comment that Renault UK should have a word with HQ in France re stupid names Wind being the prime example. Standing at the bar with your mates who ask what car you drive and you come back with a Wind ! Not good Renault Not good. .Just like V W with their Sharon again not good was it V W Going back to A E exclusive images can someone at AE tell us all why you persist with them ?

Submitted by HARVEY56 on Mon, 2014-05-19 10:49.

Renault Kwid ????? WTF, Why not Renault Ten Bob, for old times sake !!!! That aside, I think I like it, reminds me of a mini Toyota FJ Cruiser.

Submitted by Mr J on Tue, 2014-05-20 10:36.

Like the concept, though not the bland me-too Photoshop visual.

Submitted by Nicko on Tue, 2014-05-20 23:34.

I thought the original 3 door Rav4 was a great car, but there's not really anything like it now. A distinctively styled, smaller crossover SUV would be good for me, with its raised seating position (I have a bad back) but they need to offer a 3 door version rather than just a 5-door. After the Clio and Twingo I feel Renault are unlikely to do this, but hopefully other manufacturers will.