What’s up?
The Renault Kwid entered the Mexican market in the second half of 2019 and Since its launch it has been a commercial success, quickly making it the sales leader due to its low price.Comfort-equipment ratio, but above all things What made it stand out was the fact that it had four airbagsthe only one in the segment to offer it at the time.
Until 2022 The brand offered us the facelift of the modelwhose external appearance has been significantly improved thanks to the integration of DRL lights and new optical groups – front and rear. Unseen but appreciated additions include ESP stability control and the slightly increased overall weight of the vehicle, making it slightly more stable at cruising speeds on the highway.
The Kwid E-Tech is already known in other markets For example, under other names in China it is known as Dongfeng Nano Vox and it is advisable to remember this Renault and Dongenfeng terminated their cooperation agreement in 2020 and we assume that China is the country where the version that will arrive in Mexico is expected to be manufactured (dates not yet confirmed). Our electric test Kwid had a VIN with French spelling, but this model is not sold in France like Renault, but is known as the Dacia Spring – which will be renewed in 2024 – and is made in China. We will find out where it is made when it is presented in Mexico in the last months of 2023!
Renault Kwid E-Tech 2024: Design
The electric version It’s basically the same as the petrol versiononly with some distinctive touches that let us know that it is a version with 100% battery-powered mobility is the only radical change that we find The charging port is located directly behind the brand diamond, where the front grill is located on the petrol models.
Renault Kwid E-Tech 2024: interior
The interiors They are also fundamentally the sameand we only find differences in the instrument panel, which logically gives us information about battery consumption and the status of its flow while we drive forward, the information displayed is simple, concrete and clear.
As for connectivity, we have a 7-inch touchscreen compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay systems with USB-A cable and to complete the equipment we have air conditioning, electrically operated windows – all four –
Renault Kwid E-Tech 2024: Engine
This is exactly where the technical design specifications of the Kwid change: In the motor shaft we find an electric motor with compact dimensions instead of a heat engine.
Is about a permanent magnet synchronous motor which is powered by energy from a 26.8 kWh lithium-ion battery.
Drivetrain
- Motor: permanent magnet synchronous motor
- Power: 48 kWatt (equivalent to 65 HP)
- Torque: 85 lb-pie
- Transmission: None (automatic engine clutch forward or reverse)
Energy data
- 26.8 kWh lithium-ion battery (25 kWh NET)
- Autonomy -+ 250 km
- Charger including type 2 (Mennekes)
- Loading time:
- In a “wallbox” (CD) 50 kW direct current from 10 to 80% in 40 minutes
- With the included charger on a 220 volt socket from 0 to 100% in 9 hours. (Longer in a 110 volt outlet)
- Approximate distance of 8.8 km for each kWh consumed
Renault Kwid E-Tech 2024: handling
As I have commented since the beginning of the 1st. Contact with the Kwid e-Tech in terms of external appearance there are very few differences from the petrol version, the vehicle is similar in dimensions and dimensions, including the interior, the only thing that changes is the drive or reverse gear selector – there it is electrical There is no transmission as we know it.
To start the movement, you need to follow several fairly simple steps. The first and most important of these is that you need to insert a conventional key – which is basically the same as that of any Kwid – into an ignition switch in the vehicle’s usual location, on the right side of the steering column behind the steering wheel, the interesting thing is that you have to insert the key and turn it around its axis, when this happens the instrument panel lights up and until a warning light appears that says READY, you must release the key and at that moment our Kwid E-Tech can start moving, you have to put the selector lever in D and release the handbrake – which is also a traditional drive –
The “touch” and feeling when starting is similar to that of any electric vehicle, the response is quick and quiet.
When we accelerate, there’s a light indicator in the instrument panel – it’s in the same place where the tachometer is on a Thermo-Kwid – and the graphic lights up when pressed gently when the driver accelerates at full speed during a maneuver, for example . Once passed, the indicator lights up fully and even two other indicators that say POWER light up. This is a clear sign that all battery power available at that moment is being used.
Housed in the center console and keypad where the front electric lifts are operated There is a button labeled ECO. By pressing this button we access the program in which the release of energy occurs gradually The engine management also delivers less power when ECO mode is activated, Instead of the equivalent of 68 hp, we only have 44 hp at our disposal – which is sufficient for maneuvers in the city – this driving mode also achieves greater energy recovery into the battery.
How does energy recovery work?
Let’s imagine we are traveling at a cruising speed of 50 km/h With ECO mode activated, every time we take our foot off the accelerator, the feeling of deceleration is noticeable and on the power indicator, two lights will gradually light up, informing us that we are converting kinetic energy (motion) into electrical energy and returning it to the battery. This is very useful, for example when we go on descents where the vehicle is “too low”. “Due to the inertia and its sensible use, we can noticeably increase the electric autonomy.
The feelings behind the wheel are very similar to those of a petrol Kwid. As far as autonomy is concerned, you have to know the routes to be taken very well in order to be able to calculate charging times. and we will have the opportunity to live more with the specific vehicle and check the actual charging times, as the ones we tell you here are based on manufacturer information.
Renault Kwid E-Tech 2024: safety
- SIX airbags
- Stability control
- ABS brakes
- Manual headlight height adjustment
Direct competitors
Definitely Renault’s bet is interestingas it is a similar vehicle to the one already sold, but with a different type of engine and therefore the Kwid The only device in this price range that offers a complete range of thermal and electrical mechanics of the same model.
The competition in this segment is tough and We know that electric cars are much more expensive than their thermal counterparts and in the specific case of the Kwid, whose gasoline prices are around 250,000 pesos, We expect the electric vehicle to be priced between 420,000 and 450,000 pesos, almost double!
Will buyers in this segment be willing to pay these amounts for electric mobility?
Competition grows over time, for example on the national market JAC E10X and its price is 440,000 pesos (MXN) or SAVE E-WAN with similar characteristics and an announced price of 300,000 pesos.
What benefit would Renault offer to buyers of the Kwid E-Tech?
A robust network and consolidation of the market for many years – be careful without compromising the work of the Chinese brands in Mexico that have joined forces and consolidated a serious distribution network, as in the case of JAC, which has been on the market since 2016 national market. SEV is a very new brand that needs to consolidate in an increasingly competitive market.
