Renault has been making headlines with its sales numbers, first for the Duster, and now for the Kwid. The French carmaker has managed to crack the code to the most perplexing question in the Indian automobile market – what is it that customers want?
Renault, it would seem, has no plans of slowing this roll. Slated for a 2017 launch is yet another SUV from the French manufacturer, the Kaptur, designed to be a more premium offering to the Duster.
You might liken it to the European Captur, but it shares little apart from general styling and phonetic name with that car. Underneath that stylish, flowing skin is a rugged Duster. Well, sort of. The Kaptur, you see, is based on the same M-Zero platform as the Duster, though in an evolved and modified form. The chassis features more underbody protection, the front axle has been reinforced and the springs are more robust. Considering the shared platform, the Kaptur will possibly also get the same 1.5-litre diesel and 1.6-litre petrol engine as the Duster, albeit with more power, as well as the same manual and AMT gearboxes and switchable four-wheel drive.
What really sets it apart from the hardy Duster though, is the cabin. The dash features a fresher design, the seats are bigger, better and more comfortable and there is an overarching premium feel to it all.
The better cabin and expected increase in power will obviously lead to the Kaptur sitting above the Duster in Renault’s India line-up. As such, it will compete with the Mahindra XUV500, and to an extent the upcoming Hyundai Tucson and the Creta. With an estimated price tag of Rs 16 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), it will sit between the two Hyundai SUVs, offering a viable option to Creta buyers looking for something a touch more premium or Tucson buyers looking for something a touch more affordable, and take the XUV500 on head-to-head. Late next year, it may also be joined in by the Nissan Kicks.
It is difficult to say exactly how the Kaptur will compete with its rivals without a proper comparison test, but as of now the Kapur holds promise, complemented by the brand equity earned by the carmaker with the Duster and Kwid.
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