The Renault Kwid is scheduled to arrive in South Africa in early November, but the French automaker has already taken plenty of heat over the new model’s Global NCAP safety rating.
In fact, just last month Global NCAP again assessed an updated version of the entry-level crossover in the 64 km/h frontal impact test, but it could muster just a single star for adult occupant protection.
So, just how safe will our version of the Indian-built mini-crossover be? Well, according to a Renault official we chatted to at the brand’s Techno Centre in Guyancourt, Paris, the SA-spec model will be adapted to suit local “market regulations”.
Exactly what that means, we’ll have to wait to find out. But we did manage to learn that the SA version of the Kwid will come with a driver airbag as standard, and that it will not feature ABS at launch. Renault SA, however, says that it is studying the option of adding ABS at a later stage.
The front seatbelts will furthermore feature pretensioners, while extra body reinforcement (ostensibly the brand’s reaction to the initial crash-tests in India) will also be added.
Locally, the Kwid is expected to be offered with a naturally aspirated 1,0-litre three-cylinder petrol mill worth somewhere in the region of 50 kW. No word yet on pricing, but the French automaker is likely to target first-time buyers who place affordability high on their list of priorities.
