Renault’s Sub-4m Sedan Gets The Axe

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• Renault had initially planned a sub-4m sedan to take on the Tata Tigor, Maruti Dzire, and Hyundai Aura.

• Plans for the sedan have now been shelved due to the losing popularity of the segment.

• Instead, Renault will focus on its utility vehicles like the Duster, Kiger, and Triber.

• Renault has also confirmed a turbo-petrol powertrain for the Triber, likely to arrive by 2022.

The news of Renault developing a sub-4m sedan first surfaced at Auto Expo 2020. The car was meant to rival the likes of the Maruti Dzire, Honda Amaze, and the Hyundai Aura. However, it now seems like the plans for the car have been shelved owing to the lack of interest in the segment. 

The MD and CEO of Renault India, Venkatram Mamillapalle, firmly believes the sedan segment in India is losing its popularity and doesn't warrant the investment for a new model in this body style. Instead, the carmaker will shift its focus to its utility vehicles: the Duster, Triber, and Kiger. 

Initially, the sub-4m sedan was supposed to be built on the CMF-A+ platform, which underpins the Triber, Kiger, and Nissan Magnite. It would have been a petrol-only offering, possibly powered by a 1.0-litre petrol engine putting out 72PS and 96Nm. The Magnite/Kiger’s 100PS 1.0-litre turbo-petrol option could have also made the cut if the car made it to production.

In other news, Renault recently launched the Kiger sub-4m SUV, undercutting the rest of the segment with its pricing of Rs 5.45 lakh to Rs 9.55 lakh (ex-showroom). It is also working on the development of a turbo-petrol version of the Triber MPV, likely to arrive by 2022.