French auto major Renault is all set to launch its much-awaited Renault Captur SUV in India anytime soon. In a series of teasers released by the company, it has focused on the exterior design elements of the SUV. With its new addition, the company is expected to compete with Hyundai Creta, Mahindra XUV500 and Jeep Compass. Renault India currently retails small car Kwid, sports utility vehicle Duster and multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) Lodgy. Kwid and Duster have been the volume drivers for Renault in the Indian market.
Design that exudes sophistication. 3K RTs to reveal #RenaultCAPTUR’s next feature.#CAPTURcomingsoonhttps://t.co/2Q7UC6aNQu pic.twitter.com/IRBb1WR72V
— Renault India (@RenaultIndia) September 18, 2017
Sumit Sawhney, managing director & chief executive of Renault India told PTI that the much-talked-about launch will take place in the December quarter, but refused to specify whether it could be a Diwali offering or not.
The crossover SUV is also known as Kaptur in some global markets like Russia and Captur in Europe which is based on the Clio’s platform. But the Captur that’s coming to the domestic market is a crossover on the Duster platform and will be “positioned at a very premium over the Duster,†Sawhney said.
According to analysts, the SUV may come in two engines options - a 1.6-litre petro and a 2-litre diesel powertrain and may be priced around Rs 12 lakh, which is the more or less same at that of the Creta.
“The 5-seater compact SUV with ‘cross-over DNA’ will be a very premium offering and much higher than the Duster. The new SUV will be rolled out from the company’s Chennai plant,†Sawhney said.
The largest European car brand in the country with around 5 per cent market share has primarily two models- the entry level SUV Duster and two variants of its small car Kwid-0.8 litre and 1 litre, which has been specially made for this market and the biggest volume grosser.
(With PTI inputs)