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Renault Kwid EV (Kwid K-ZE) ready for global debut

Written by Nizam Shaikh

Renault is lining up to reveal its K-ZE concept based EV, in the form of the Kwid EV, which was showcased earlier at the Paris Motor Show in 2018. Renault will be unveiling the Kwid EV at the 2019 Shanghai Motor Show on 16th of April, 2019. The Renault Kwid EV is based upon the CMF-A platform which is also localised in India. Renault will be jointly developing the Kwid EV with its Chinese partner – Dongfeng Motors at their Chinese facility in Xian, China. The production will commence later this year.

The production model will by styled very much like the concept Kwid EV that was showcased earlier and will look similar to the internal combustion engine powered Renault Kwid with features like split vertically stacked headlights, LED daytime running lights, black cladding on doors, bold wheel arches and stylish grille design. The rear gets redesigned bumpers and LED tail lamps.

Interiors of the Kwid EV could have an air-conditioning system, touchscreen infotainment with steering mounted controls and a digital instrument cluster.

Renault is tight-lipped regarding any technical information about the powertrain that will be used on the Kwid EV but it is safe to speculate, that it will have a driving range of around 200 km, if not more on a single charge. The Renault Kwid EV will get a domestic charger or a quick charging system.

However, the conventionally powered Renault Kwid is propelled using two engine options, a 0.8-litre 3-cylinder Smart Control Efficiency engine producing 54 PS of power and a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder Smart Control Efficiency engine producing 58 PS of power and 91 Nm of torque mated to an AMT or manual transmission.

If at all Renault brings the Kwid EV  to India, it will compete with the upcoming Maruti Suzuki Wagon R EV and the flop show Mahindra E2O.