French automaker, Renault will launch two new cars in the Indian car market next year. The first product to come would be the Lodgy MPV, followed by an all-new compact car. Set to rival the Maruti Suzuki Alto and Hyundai Eon, the small car is based on the Common Module Family (CMF) architecture. Codenamed XBA, the hatchback will be manufactured at the Nissan-Renault manufacturing unit in Chennai. Testing of the hatchback has already begun in India, indicating a near launch.
With the growing demand for AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) equipped products, car makers are aiming to offer more cars with AMT as an options. After the success of Celerio AMT, MSI introduced Alto K10 AMT and is aiming to offer AMT gearbox with other existing cars. Joining the league, the French automaker is also contemplating the AMT equipped XBA small car to rival newly launched Alto K10 AMT. Moreover, Mahindra and Tata Motors are also planning to introduce new AMT equipped car. Just like the Zest compact sedan, the Tata Bolt hatchback is expected to get AMT variant.
The Renault XBA Small car will be powered by an 800cc, 3-cylinder petrol engine, which is developed by Renault-Nissan technical centre in Chennai. The A-Entry level hatchback will be priced under Rs. 4 lakh. Since it will be a global hatchback, it will be exported to several emerging markets including Brazil. If media reports are to be believed, the company is also contemplating more products based on the XBA platform.
