Renault Launches Electric Kwid In China

Renault has launched the electric Kwid in China called the City K-ZE. This Renault EV looks similar to the upcoming Kwid facelift that is expected to be launched by the end of September 2019 in India. With a 26.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack, it has a claimed range of 271km. However, this figure might vary in the real world but a range of 200km and above is surely a positive for driving around in the city. It comes with an electric motor that is good for 44PS of power and 125Nm of torque. The City K-ZE can go up to a max speed of 105kmph. Renault has used the CMF-A platform, the same one which underpins the Kwid, with suitable altercations to fit in the electric powertrain and batteries. The EV gets both AC and DC fast charging options. While the AC charging powers the car from empty to full in four hours, the DC option quickens the process by topping up the batteries from 30 to 80 percent is just thirty minutes. Some features that are provided in the EV include the usual touchscreen infotainment system (which now gets an 8-inch display), 4G WiFi connectivity, support for online music and remote vehicle information display over a smartphone. It also offers a tyre pressure monitoring system and an air quality sensor. However, it is unlikely that these features will be offered in the upcoming Kwid facelift. On the front, its grille gets U-shaped elements which flaunt the sleek headlamps on both sides with LED DRLs running through the centre. At the rear, the City K-ZE is more or less similar to the current Kwid except for some minor changes in the tail lamps and reflectors being placed in the bumper. The design of the EV hints at what can be seen on the upcoming Kwid facelift except for an open grille and an exhaust pipe at the back. Renault has priced the CIty K-ZE at 61,800 yuan which is roughly equal to Rs 6.22 lakh. This pricing is vital as the City K-ZE could be the foundation of the first Renault EV in India that is expected sometime in 2022.