The first teaser of what could be the
Renault HBC that will have its world premiere at Auto Expo 2020 on 5 February
2020 is out. Rumoured to be called Renault Kiger, it will be a sub-compact SUV
in concept version. The teaser suggests that the Renault HBC concept borrows an
awful lot from the Renault Symbioz demo car that was unveiled in December 2017
as a working prototype of the Renault Symbioz concept from the 2017 Frankfurt
Motor Show (IAA 2017). The split headlamps and angular C-shaped LED DRLs of the
model in the teaser look very similar to those of the first rolling prototype
to be autonomous from the ground up. So, we're looking at either the Renault
HBC concept or maybe the Renault Symbioz demo car itself in the teaser. We hope
it's the former, though.
Earlier this month, a spy video had
revealed the production Renault HBC’s exterior design partially. The production
model will have a high-set bonnet, V-shaped radiator grille, two-tier headlamps
with three main light modules positioned unconventionally lower, floating
roofline and a rakish back glass leading to a tough yet very sporty exterior
design. The new B-SUV from Renault will likely be equipped with features like
LED headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels, LED tail lights, shark fin antenna,
touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, fully digital
instrument cluster, rear AC vents and more.
The Renault HBC will have a length of no
more than 4,000 mm so that it is charged with only the lowest GST (for ICE
four-wheelers). It will be based on the CMF-A+ platform of the Renault Triber.
It will compete with the likes of Hyundai Venue and Maruti Vitara Brezza in our
market. Reports say that the upcoming low-cost SUV will mount the HR10 1.0L. turbocharged
three-cylinder petrol engine. This engine is offered in two versions
internationally, one without direct injection (100 PS/160 Nm) and one with
direct injection (117 PS/170 Nm). It can be had with a 5-speed manual
transmission or a CVT. An AWD system won’t be offered in the sub-4 metre SUV.
Renault has confirmed that it will launch
the HBC in India in the second half of the calendar year.
