Last month, the Renault Kiger concept celebrated its digital debut in India. Now, ElectricVehicleWeb.in has discovered patent images that show the Renault compact SUV in detail.
The patent images come from a Chinese repository, although it should not be taken as an indication for a Chinese launch. In April 2020, Renault unveiled a re-calibrated business strategy for China where it focuses only on light commercial vehicles and electric vehicles and it is common practice for car makers to patent their designs globally.
ElectricVehicleWeb.in was the first to note last month that the Renault Kiger is EV-ready, meaning that we could see a Renault Kiger EV (Renault Kiger Electric) in showrooms this decade. Venkatram Mamillapalle, CEO and Managing Director, Renault (India), had revealed to us earlier this year that a Renault Kiger EV is technically possible and that the company is open to exploring the idea.
There is no intent at this point of time (for Triber or Kiger EV) but why not if it is possible? I’m sure it’s possible, all you need to do is manage the floor of the car. Everything is in the floor of the car or chassis.
Venkatram Mamillapalle, CEO and Managing Director, Renault (India) on the possibility of a Renault CMF-A+ EV.
The Kiger is based on the CMF-A+ platform, which is a modified version of the CMF-A developed for low-cost B-segment models as the CMF-B proved very expensive for emerging market requirements. An electric car based on the CMF-A is available in the global market – the Renault Kwid EV. It is marketed as the Renault City K-ZE, Venucia e30, Dongfeng Fengshen Aeolus, Dongfeng Fengxing T1, Dongfeng Fengguang E1 and the Dacia Spring. So, the Renault Kiger’s platform technically is ready for full electrification.
A Renault Kiger EV, if it becomes an official project, could be launched in India as a budget alternative to the Tata Nexon EV, which is India’s best-selling electric car, and the Mahindra eXUV300 that will go on sale by early 2022. Thanks to a longer and wider body and a higher ground clearance, a Renault Kiger EV could house a battery pack bigger than the Renault Kwid EV (26.8 kWh) and offer users a travel range of over 300 km (Renault Kwid EV range – 271 km*) per charge.
The ICE Renault Kiger was planned to be launched between July and December this year, but it is postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the production version has been already spied on countless occasions, Renault has released pictures of a concept version. Apparently, the upcoming sub-4 metre SUV is quite a looker despite its small size and comes with additional features like a sunroof over its sister car, the Nissan Magnite.
India may get a Renault Kiger EV, but the first Renault electric car arriving in India by the end of 2022 should be a version of the Renault Kwid EV.
*As per NEDC
