Delhi show: Renault reveals wild Kwid concept

RENAULT has pulled the covers from the rugged and wild Kwid at India’s Delhi Auto Show, the first concept car it has premiered outside of Europe.

The latest outlandish product of Renault’s ‘life-cycle’ design strategy was created by a global team in India and France based on original drawings from Brazil, and overseen by global design boss Laurens van den Acker.

“Renault Design is a highly international team with studios in France, Romania, Brazil, Korea and India. This concept car is a reflection of the distinctly international flavour of our design network,” said Mr van den Acker.

By staging the premiere in India, Renault has seemingly given its sub-continental hub a big vote of confidence.

“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,” said Renault’s Asia-Pacific regional chairman, Gilles Normand.

The jacked-up knobbly tyred concept adds to the ever-growing trend of emerging baby-SUVs, and may have pinched running-gear from the current Clio and Captur such as its 1.2-litre turbo engine in front-wheel drive configuration – not four-wheel drive as the styling suggests.

While the concept is fitted with a conventional engine and double-clutch automatic transmission, Renault says the little SUV is also ready for batteries and electric running gear, which could be donated from the Zoe EV. The charging socket is already installed.

Following on from previous ‘life-cycle’ concepts, the Kwid is reportedly born of a theme summarised as “explore”, which focuses on being “robust yet joyful” – a philosophy Renault claims is reflected by a vehicle that appears to be bouncing.

Earlier concepts have centred around the themes “play” and “wisdom”.

The outlandish concept comes equipped with a quadcopter “flying companion”, which is controlled from a tablet inside the car and can be used to survey the way ahead for traffic and obstacles, or simply taking pictures of people in convertibles.

Other interesting features include the electrically operated white elastomer-constructed seats, which resemble a badly wrapped mummy and allow generous ventilation of the occupant’s behinds. The butterfly doors are also electric.