Renault Cars At Auto Expo 2023 - What You Can Expect

Important Note: We've recently learned that Renault will not be present at the Auto Expo.

Renault Triber Facelift & Triber Turbo - Confidence: High

The Triber arrived in 2019 and is a lone wolf in the B2-segment MPV space. For the price of a hatchback, Renault are offering a fairly spacious 7-seat MPV. With its removable 3rd row seats, it offers a boot space of 625 litres, which is more than that of the much larger Ertiga in 5-seat mode. Buyers, obviously, saw the value in the Triber and it does surprisingly decent monthly numbers for Renault. Even moving around 3,000 units a month consistently is not a small achievement from a smaller brand like Renault with a limited reach in terms of sales and service network.

It is almost time for the Triber’s mid-life update and we should see a fresh design at the 2023 Auto Expo. The update along with some new features should help the Triber once again achieve 5,000 units monthly factory dispatches on a consistent basis.

Also Read: Nov 2022 Renault Car Sales Analysis - YoY, MoM Change, 6-Month Trend

Note: Know more about the upcoming Cars In January 2023

The other problem with the Triber is that it doesn’t get some features like front and middle-row armrest, cruise control and the option of captain seats. While wishing for captain seats seems like a stretch, we should at least see the 2023 Triber model adding the other features.

On the powertrain front, the Triber’s 1.0L normal petrol engine is not powerful enough for buyers who frequently travel on the highways with 7 adults. The option of a turbo petrol engine will make good use of the cruise control and offer a relaxed highway driving experience even with a full load. The option of a CVT automatic with the turbo petrol engine will also make the city driving experience much better for the Triber customers.

We can expect the Triber facelift to go on sale sometime by mid 2023 and become Renault’s prime vehicle to promote during the 2023 festive season. It doesn’t have a direct rival but buyers considering a B2-segment hatchback can consider the Triber for its 7-seat option. If you’re considering a bigger MPV for limited use, then also, you can consider the Triber and save a few lakh rupees.

The current Triber model costs between Rs. 5.92 lakh and Rs. 8.31 lakh (ex-showroom). With the update, we should expect it to cost between Rs. 6.20 lakh and Rs. 8.50 lakh. If the turbo petrol with manual and CVT automatic also makes it to the 2023 Triber’s powertrain options, then its ex-showroom prices could go up to Rs. 10.30 lakh.

Also Read: Renault Likely To Showcase Triber Facelift And Turbo MPV At Auto Expo 2023

Renault Arkana - Confidence: Medium

We’ve seen the Arkana testing on public roads in India several times and even seen a model registered to Renault India. This makes it a credible option for showcasing at the 2023 Auto Expo. The Arkana is a D-segment coupe SUV from Renault and if it goes on sale, then it could become the most affordable coupe SUV in India.

Also Read: Renault Arkana Coupe SUV Spied Again

Arkana Hybrid Coupe SUV Registered To Renault India Spied

This particular Arkana registered to Renault India is a D-segment coupe SUV measuring 4568mm long, 2304mm wide and 1571mm tall. It has 2-row seating and is likely to compete with cars like the Tata Harrier, Mahindra XUV700 5-seater and MG Hector.

The Arkana spotted in India has a hybrid petrol engine. It looks like the model testing on Indian roads has a strong hybrid petrol engine as it has the E-Tech badge on the boot lid. This 1.6L hybrid petrol engine makes a combined 142PS of power and 250Nm of peak torque. The transmission is a hybrid-specific CVT automatic and it has a fuel efficiency of 21.1kmpl as per the UK-spec test cycle.

Whether it will go on sale in India or not is anybody’s guess. If Renault are indeed serious about bringing the Arkana hybrid to India, then clearing up the homologation red tape, customer analysis and lining up the part suppliers could take a while. At best, we should expect it to go on sale sometime in the 3rd or 4th quarter of 2023. If it does go on sale in India, then, with heavy localisation, we can expect it to cost between Rs. 17.0 lakh and Rs. 22.0 lakh (ex-showroom).

Also Read: Renault Likely To Showcase Arkana Coupe SUV At Auto Expo 2023

Note: Find out more about all the upcoming Cars In India

Next-Generation Renault Duster - Confidence: Low

Renault’s sister company, Dacia, sell the Duster in international markets. The Renault Duster’s downfall started with the demonisation of diesel engines. Although, until then, it had a strong run. The Duster single-handedly established Renault in India and made them a household name. Since its departure, many cars have jumped at the opportunity to fill the void and the Creta is the most prominent among them.

Rumours suggest that the next-generation Duster with a completely new design, features and powertrain could come to India. Reportedly, the top officials at Renault India are seriously considering bringing the Duster back to regain some of its lost turf.

However, the Duster is a more important product for their European market than their Indian wing. Therefore, we have a lower confidence in seeing the next-generation Duster in India before the global reveal. Should it make it eventually to India, we can expect it to get the same 1.6L hybrid petrol engine as the Arkana. Although, a downsized, 1.5L hybrid petrol engine makes more sense to help it stay in a lower tax slab. Moreover, we shouldn’t expect the next-gen Duster to make it to India in the 2023 calendar year and in the best-case situation, it could arrive in 2024.

Also Read: Renault Likely To Showcase Duster SUV At Auto Expo 2023

Next-Generation Renault Kwid - Confidence: Low

Just like the Duster, the Kwid, also known as Dacia Spring, is yet to get an update in international markets. On the bright side, the Kwid is a key product for Renault India. Hence, it’s natural for us to expect to see the update first in India. However, it’s not doing as well as it should while the Alto twins are flying off the shelves. So, we have even less hopes of seeing it at the Expo. Right now, we can’t even say if the Kwid will even get a next-gen model update.

The Kwid’s most notable feature is its style as it gets double-barrel headlamps, LED DRLs, 14-inch wheels and a healthy ground clearance in all variants. It's so big that it qualifies to compete with the B1-segment cars like the Ignis and Tiago. But its powertrain and price point give us enough reasons to call it an exception among A-segment cars.

Note: Here’s a list of all the upcoming Renault Cars