Renault is developing a fully-electric version of the Kwid which was recently spotted testing on Indian roads. The Kwid EV will be French carmaker’s first battery-powered venture in India and most likely its most affordable EV globally. The French carmaker has been contemplating on bringing the all-electric Kwid to India for a long time.
The company even displayed a pre-production prototype of the same a few years ago at the Auto Expo. A test mule of the Kwid EV was caught on camera once again. As reported previously, the Kwid EV will essentially be a rebranded Dacia Spring EV sold in Europe, similar to its ICE namesake.
The electric variant of the Kwid was first launched in China in 2019 as the Renault City K-ZE. It made its European debut in 2021 under the name Dacia Spring EV. In Latin America, it is marketed as the Renault Kwid E-Tech Electric.
Renault Kwid EV: What to expect?
On first glance, the fully-camouflaged test mule of the Kwid EV looks similar to its petrol-powered counterpart. The only noticeable difference is the fact that this particular prototype rides higher. The chassis seems to sit a bit higher as compared to the ICE Kwid. This is highlighted by the large gap between the tyres and wheel arches. We only get a view of the rear end and side profile so details of the vehicle’s front end remain under the wraps.
Interiors of the Kwid EV are still under wraps but expect highlights such as a 10-inch infotainment system and a 7-inch instrument cluster to be carried over from the Dacia Spring EV. In terms of safety, expect it to come equipped with emergency calling, ABS, electronic stability control (ESC), six airbags, TPMS, and ISOFIX mounts.
Since it will be based on the Europe-spec Dacia Spring EV, the Kwid EV is likely to borrow the powertrain from the latter. The electric vehicle is expected to be equipped with a 26.8kWh battery and a 33kW front-wheel-drive motor, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in 19.2 seconds. The electric hatchback will support fast charging up to 30 kW, with a claimed charging time of 45 minutes to go from 20 to 80 percent. The estimated range is 225 km, and the top speed is 125 kmph.