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Cape Town - Renault has three new cars headed for the South Africa. All three are set to be launched later in 2016.
The French automaker has expanded its local SUV offering, with the launch of its new Kadjar which follows the launch of its Captur sibling in May 2015.
Image gallery: 2016 Renault Kadjar
According to Renault: "The new Renault Kadjar SUV Crossover is the embodiment of the brand’s entire DNA and set to make its mark on one of South Africa’s most hotly contested vehicle categories."
WATCH: Renault's new Kadjar - Dare to live
Wheels24's Janine Van der Post had the chance to sample the new Kadjar at its local launch in Cape Town.
She said: In terms of road manners, it’s as if Renault has analysed its rivals and aimed to deliver a vehicle that's on par or, in some cases, better than the rest. The Kadjar is spacious and comfy. The driver’s seat has a raised driving position, great for us vertically-challenged folk whom are often left peering over big, bulky bonnets. The seats have extra cushioning and leather can be purchased as an optional extra.
The engines are fantastic and enables the Kadjar to live up to its "agile" moniker. The Kadjar performs admirably with adequate road-holding when pushed and it's capable of overtaking with gusto when needed. It accelerates with ease while steering and throttle is responsive.
Click here to read her driving impression.
New Renault models set for SA
EDC for Kadjar
Renault SA has announced that its electric dual clutch (EDC) will be available for both 1.5dCi (diesel) and 1.2T (petrol) Kadjar derivatives.
The automaker also confirms a manual version of the 1.5dCi (diesel) will arrive locally during the third quarter of 2016.
READ: Renault's hottest Clio yet - 205kW RS Concept at Monaco GP
Megane IV
Reanult's most loved and successful hatchback is set to arrive locally during the third quarter of 2016.
The Megane was launched 20 years ago and to date more than 6.5-million units have been sold.
The fourth-generation Megane will be launched in a very competitive segment, claims the automaker but it will stand out with dynamic new lines and a stronger identity.
The new range will be headed by a GT version, which the automaker says draws design cues from the Renault Sport division. More details will be available at closer to its local launch.
Renault Kwid
Renault South Africa has confirmed its compact, Indian-built Kwid, powered by an 800cc power unit, could arrive in SA later in 2016 or early 2017.
The Kwid will be available with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine pushing out 52kW/91Nm.
READ: Rise of the urban crossovers - Six new models to look out for
According to Renault India, it's the automaker's best-seller there, with more than 50 000 bookings garnered in a month and over 5000 sold monthly.
Early in May, Wheels24 reported that the Kwid is based on Renault-Nissan’s CMF-A platform and built in Chennai. It slot in just under the Sandero and Clio in Renault’s local line-up.
In India it’s powered by Renault-Nissan’s brand new, compact 779cc three-cylinder SCe (Smart Control efficiency) petrol motor delivering 40kW and 72Nm of torque mated to a five-speed manual transmission.
With a base weight of only 660kg its claimed fuel consumption is only 3.3 litres/100km, but with the bigger mill (similar to that used in the latest Twingo and the newly introduced smart fortwo and forfour) it will probably be in the region of 4 litres/100km.
