Kwid Concept (France, 2014)

Renault unveiled the Kwid Concept at the Delhi Auto Show, a compact SUV which intends to highlight both Renault’s commitment to new markets, such as India, as well as the company’s ability to produce appealing products in this segment. The car has a robust but fun design and is packed with technological features, including a mini-chopper.

The Kwid Concept is the first Renault prototype to target new emerging markets and was developed  together by designers around the world, in France, India, Russia, Brazil and Japan.

The Kwid Concept was designed with inputs from Renault Design India and is covered by the ‘Explore’ petal of Renault’s lifecycle-based design strategy. The vehicle’s proportions and dimensions as well as very short overhangs give the impression of a bouncing vehicle, while its oversized wheels protrude past the fenders and make it look like a buggy car. The vehicle comes with a two-wheel drive transmission, but projects the facade of an off-road car.

The interior of the Kwid Concept is designed to serve as a snug cocoon and is inspired by a bird’s nest. The vehicle’s seats, suspended over a solid base in white, giving an impression of lightness. The vehicle also features rear air conditioning with controls on the driver seat’s back as well as ventilation through concentric perforations. The dashboard is an integrated tablet for commanding the navigation of a mini-chopper, the Flying Companion.

Aimed at offering a safe as well as fun driving experience, the Flying Companion is the first of its kind in the automotive world. Taking off from the rotating rear portion of the Kwid Concept’s roof, the Flying Companion can be operated in one of two modes – the automatic mode using a pre-programmed flying sequence and GPS location as well as the manual mode, which enables the companion to be controlled using a tablet inside the vehicle. The Flying Companion can be used for a variety of purposes, including scouting traffic, taking landscape pictures and detecting obstacles on the road ahead.

The Kwid Concpet is prepared to receive eletric driving technology, including a charging plug behind the Renault logo. However the vehicle has been fitted with the latest-generation downsized 1.2-litre petrol turbocharged engine mated to dual-clutch transmission EDC to combine driving enjoyment with low fuel consumption. Other technology-rich features include electric operated front bench seat on a center rail, electric opening doors, LED lighting, lack of gearshift (command with touches next to the steering). The vertically-mounted TFT touchscreen display acts as the dashboard in the concept and also provides access to connected services.