Renault teases & confirms sub-4m 7-seat MPV model for India

Groupe Renault has announced their 'Drive the Future' mid-term plan covering the 2017-2022 period. Renault's business expansion plan for the Indian market features 4 launches including an EV. Among these will be a new Renault compact MPV.

Renault will be leveraging an extended version of the CMF-A platform for the MPV. This platform underpins the Kwid and the Datsun Redi-GO. Addressing the gathering, Thierry Bolloré, Chief Competitive Officer of Groupe Renault, announced the plans for the future models. While an exact timeline has not been specified yet, an earlier report said that the Renault crossover MPV will be the French brand's all-new model for 2019.

Bollore said:

We will launch a compact MPV in the Indian market, a car to transport many adults but in less than 4 metres length.

Renault currently has three models in its portfolio in India with the fourth product - Renault Captur - just around the corner. In the MPV segment, Renault has the Lodgy that has been around since April 2015. Although the Lodgy has been unable to clock strong sales in the Indian market, and despite most manufacturers shying away from the segment currently, Renault clearly believes customers will turn to it due to the improving road infrastructure and when seeking replacement. Partner brand Nissan has already tried its hand at the compact SUV segment with the Datsun GO+. However, much like the Lodgy, its sales are nothing to write home about.

Also See - Renault Compact SUV rendering

A report from October 12 quotes Stefan Mueller, EVP, Chief Performance Officer, Renault Group, saying that there are three new models based on the Kwid planned for the future. The CMF-A based compact MPV appears to be one of them. The other two are likely to be a new compact SUV and an EV variant of the Kwid.