French automaker, Renault is planning to launch a Renault compact SUV in India and it is expected to be launched in 2016. It will be a low cost car, positioned below Duster, borrowing its underpinnings from Duster, it will draw its body shell from Renault Captur, whose production version was first unveiled in 2013 Geneva Motor Show while the concept was revealed at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Since it borrows its underpinning from Renault Duster and body shell from Renault Captur, it is expected to take less time in its production.
Renault sub-Duster Compact SUV Speculative Image
Render source – AutoBild
On mechanical front, this sub 4-meter crossover will most likely be based on Renault Duster. Duster is available in both petrol and diesel engine variants in India. The 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine produces 103 BHP of maximum power and 145 Nm of peak torque. While the K9K diesel engine produces 85 BHP when mated with five-speed manual transmission and the 110 BHP when mated with six-speed transmission.
Image- Renault captur (For Illustrative Purpose Only)
While Renault Captur which is available internationally also comes with both petrol and diesel variants. The petrol engine churns out 120 BHP of maximum power and 190 Nm of peak torque and diesel engine produces 90 BHP of maximum power and 220 Nm of peak torque. Both the variants come with either five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
The Renault compact SUV is expected to come with 1.2-litre petrol & 1.5-litre diesel engine. Buyers nowadays look more inclined towards crossover SUV’s. There are already many mini SUV’s present in the Indian automobile market to compete with Renault compact SUV. Thus, it will compete with Ford EcoSport, Fiat Avventura and upcoming Hyundi ix25.
Image- Renault captur (For Illustrative Purpose Only)
Ford EcoSport is available with two petrol engines and one diesel engine variant. The 1.5-litre petrol engine produces 123 BHP of power and 170 Nm of torque. The 1.5-litre diesel engine produces 89 BHP of maximum power and 204 Nm of peak torque, mated to a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
Fiat Avventura also comes in both petrol and diesel variants. 1.4-litre petrol engine churns out 89 BHP of maximum power and 115 Nm of peak torque. The 1.3-litre Multijet diesel engine produces 92 BHP of maximum power and 209 Nm of peak torque, mated to a five-speed manual transmission.
Image- Renault captur (For Illustrative Purpose Only)
Though much information about the specifications and pricing of the car are not yet available, expect it to be priced competitively under Renault Duster and it is most likely to be launched in 2016. Stay tuned for more details from automobile world.
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Source- AutoColumn
