Renault showcases Duster Extreme, Kwid Outsider and Kaptur at Sao Paulo

Renault has pretty much stuck to the off-roading theme at the Sao Paulo auto show with the display of the Duster concept and the yet-to-be-launched Brazilian-spec Kwid. Further, the French carmaker also displayed the Brazilian-spec Kaptur.

While the Kwid is christened Kwid Outsider, the all-wheel drive Duster is named Duster Extreme. Interestingly, for the Kaptur SUV, which is the same one sold in Russia, Renault South America has named the model after its smaller European sibling, the Captur.

Duster Extreme

Renault has increased the ride height of the Duster along with giving it new bumpers, centre locking wheels finished in black with off-road tyres, tow hooks, a front winch, roof mounted LED light bar and a roof rack. The concept features a grey exterior paint scheme with red inserts and painted bits across the cabin.

The Duster Extreme concept is based on the Brazilian-spec Duster and so uses a 143hp 2.0-litre flex-fuel (petrol and ethanol) engine chanelling power to all-four wheels via a manual gearbox.

Kwid Outsider

The Kwid Outsider concept bears similarities to the Kwid Climber concept that Renault showcased at the Auto Expo earlier in February this year.

While exterior design reflects the design of the Kwid sold in India, the interior gets some notable changes. It misses out on the digital instrument cluster and comes with an analogue unit. The centre console is also revised with switchgear for the door locks and power windows located right under the touchscreen infotainment system instead at the bottom of the centre console. The top glovebox has been replaced with a passenger airbag.

While a launch in South American markets is pending, the Kwid has been a hit with Indian buyers. Renault has been releasing variants of the Kwid in India at quite a rapid pace to keep the momentum going and the Brazilian Kwid’s features could well be on its way to our market as well.

Captur

Compared to its European namesake, the Brazilian Captur is underpinned by a different platform – that of the Duster – and is a rather notable 211mm longer, 35mm wider and 47mm taller.

Powering the SUV is the choice of a 1.6-litre flex-fuel engine or a larger and more powerful 2.0-litre unit. The 1.6-litre unit is paired to either a five-speed manual or a CVT gearbox, while the larger unit is offered with a four-speed automatic as standard. Unlike the Duster for Brazil, there is no all-wheel drive variant.

Renault has also lined up the Kaptur for an India launch in 2017, with the model likely to share some of the aspects featured on the Brazil-spec SUV. One of these could be the use of dual-tone interiors to make the car feel more upmarket with Renault set to position it above the Duster.

The Indian car is also likely to use the tried and tested engine combinations from the Duster in place of its existing engines offered internationally.