New modular platform will underpin five new models that will be produced from four production hubs, including India.
At the presentation of its ‘New International Gameplan 2027’ in Brazil, Renault announced two platforms that it says will form the basis of its new plan for regions outside Europe. Speaking at the event, Fabrice Cambolive, global CEO of Renault said that the platforms will underpin eight new models. All these models will be produced and launched outside Europe, with the last one scheduled to arrive no later than 2027.
Fully Flexible Platform
Curiously, Renault refrained from labelling the platform headed to India, with Renault brand product performance VP, Bruno Vanel, only describing it as “a fully new Renault group modular platform that will be used in four hubs beyond Europe.” The first market would be Latin America, followed by Turkey, Morocco and India.
Speaking about this platform, Vanel said, “It is scalable and flexible and capable of accommodating vehicles with a length between 4-5 metres, with four possible wheelbases from 2.6-3 metres. The platform is also capable of accepting a wide range of powertrains, including ICE (gasoline and diesel), flex-fuel, LPG, 48V hybrid and full-hybrid too. It would also offer two- and four-wheel-drive capability.”
CMA platform
The second platform is the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform, which will be localised in South Korea in partnership with Geely and will be used to develop D- and E-segment vehicles. Renault also used the event to showcase two vehicles based on the new flexible platform; the Niagara Concept pickup and the Kardian SUV.
Niagara Concept Pickup
The Niagara concept pickup is scheduled to go into production ‘no later than 2027’. It is 4.9 metres in length, powered by a new E-tech hybrid 4X4 powertrain, comprising of a 48V mild-hybrid engine that powers the front axle, with an extra electric motor on the rear axle.
Renault Kardian SUV
The Renault Kardian SUV is the first of the eight new models announced and will debut a new 3-cylinder, 1.0-litre turbocharged gasoline direct injection motor that’s derived from the brand’s larger 1.3 litre unit.
‘New International Gameplan 2027’
Renault’s new international gameplan will see the French carmaker invest 3 billion Euros (around Rs 263 crore) in the next four to five years. This is a part of what the brand is calling its ‘Renaulution’, where it aims to double its net revenue per unit sold outside Europe in 2027, when compared with 2019. It also says that one out of every three Renault cars sold outside Europe will either be hybrid or electric. Renault is currently present in 80 countries with 40 percent of its sales coming from outside of Europe.