India-made Renault Kwid launches in South Africa

It is positioned as the entry-point into Renault's South African product line-up, slotting below the Sandero.

Akin to the version sold in India, the Kwid SA spec comes with a 7-inch MediaNav navigation/multi-media touchscreen system housed in a piano black centre console with chrome surround.

Renault is marketing the SUV styling and construction, underscoring the 2,422mm wheelbase, 180 mm ground clearance and 300 liter boot volume, where the car punches above its weight.

Under the hood is the 1.0-litre 3-cylinder Smart Control efficiency (SCe) engine that pushes out peak power of 50kW @ 5 5000 rpm and maximum torque of 91Nm @ 4250 rpm. It is married to a five-speed manual gearbox, and has a fuel efficiency of 4.71 litres/100 km. The fuel tank holds 28 litres.

Features in the SA-spec Kwid are height adjustable front seats, electric power steering, one-touch lane change indicator, electric front windows, lower glove box (plus upper glove box in Dynamique variant), 1-litre bottle holder and rear parcel tray. A driver airbag is standard, but the car does not get ABS.

Renault offers a 5-year/150,000km mechanical warranty and a 6-year anti-corrosion warranty, with service intervals at 15,000km.