Renault has revealed its new Triber, a “value-for-money” seven-seater model that is scheduled to launch in South Africa at some point in 2020, slotting in above the Kwid and likely taking on the Datsun GO+.

The French firm says the Triber (which runs on the CMF-A platform) will be produced in Chennai and sold at a “competitive price” in the Indian market from the second half of 2019. It is described as a “joint project” between the firm's teams in India and France.

Interestingly, despite boasting seating for seven, the newcomer measures just 3 990 mm long (vehicles under four metres long attract a reduced excise duty in India) with a wheelbase of 2 636 mm, and tips the scales at just 947 kg. Renault claims it features the “largest boot capacity of its category” at 625 litres when in five-seater configuration (with the third row entirely removed).

“Renault Triber was conceived, developed and produced in India, for Indian customers first, before we take it to the world. It is a real game-changer,” said Thierry Bolloré, CEO of Groupe Renault.

So, what else do we know about the new Triber? Well, ground clearance comes in at 182 mm, while Renault has employed various “off-road” styling cues, from skid plates (fore and aft) to the obligatory black plastic body cladding.

Inside, you’ll find an eight-inch touchscreen complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality as well as a digital instrument cluster. Rear parking sensors and a reversing camera will also be offered (on Indian-spec models, at least), along with four airbags.

Power comes from the brand’s naturally aspirated 1,0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, here developing 53 kW and 96 N.m (and mated to either a five-speed manual gearbox or an automated manual transmission).

Original article from Car