Renault and Nissan plan five new SUVs for India, with hybrid, CNG and electric options
Renault and Nissan are preparing to launch five new SUVs in India, with hybrid, CNG, electric and petrol powertrains likely across the models.
Demand for SUVs in India's automobile market continues to rise. Against this backdrop, Renault and Nissan are preparing to launch five new SUVs in the coming period. The new models are likely to be offered with hybrid, CNG, electric and petrol powertrains.
Both companies are changing their strategy for India and are focusing on models built locally. The new SUVs from the two brands could reach the market in the next 12 months. They include the Renault Duster Hybrid, Nissan Magnite CNG, Renault Boreal, Renault Bridger and Nissan's seven-seater Tecton.
First is the Renault Duster Hybrid. Renault has already brought the new Duster to the Indian market this year, and the company is now set to introduce its Strong Hybrid version. According to information available, its official launch will be on October 17. It could get a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with a Strong Hybrid system, along with a 1.4 kWh battery. According to the company, the SUV can run in electric mode for about 80 per cent of the time in city driving.
The second SUV is the Nissan Magnite CNG. The Magnite is an important vehicle for Nissan in India, and it is now likely to get a factory-fitted CNG option. The option is said to be linked to the development of the platform and technology of the Renault Kiger. It could pair CNG technology with a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine, and the gearbox options may include manual and CVT. This could be Nissan's first attempt to offer factory-fitted CNG in any of its SUVs.
The third vehicle is the Renault Boreal, which could arrive as a seven-seater version of the Duster. With three rows of seats, it will be larger than the Duster. Its exterior design may also differ somewhat from the Duster's. Engine options could include a 1.3-litre turbo petrol and a 1.8-litre Strong Hybrid petrol.
Fourth is the Renault Bridger. Renault showed this sub-4-metre SUV concept earlier this year. It will be developed in India and could later be sold in global markets as well. It is being built as a Multi Energy SUV, so a range of options is likely, including petrol, turbo petrol, hybrid, CNG and electric. It could get a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and a 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine. Renault is also working on a new 1.2-litre three-cylinder hybrid engine, which could be based on Miller Cycle technology.
The fifth SUV is Nissan's seven-seater Tecton. The company has confirmed that it plans to launch this model by the end of the financial year. It will be built on the existing Tecton platform, but its size could be increased to accommodate three rows of seats. It is likely to get a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine, with a 6-speed manual and a DCT gearbox as possible options.
These upcoming SUVs are likely to intensify competition in the Indian market. With hybrid, CNG and electric powertrains, customers will have more choices alongside conventional petrol SUVs. From the Duster Hybrid and Magnite CNG to the seven-seater Boreal and Tecton, the plans of both companies appear to rest on the changing needs of Indian SUV buyers. Official prices, variants and features will become clear after the launches.
