Underlining the importance of India for Renault, the brand has just unveiled a brand new SUV offering designed and produced exclusively for the local market. It’s called the Triber and is joining the already successful crossovers of the marque on the Indian market – the Kwid, Duster, and Captur. The compact vehicle can accommodate up to seven passengers and offers “the largest boot capacity of its category in a five-seat configuration.”

On the outside, the Triber looks like an extended version of the Kwid with some striking similarities to the Ford EcoSport at the back. The front end is more sophisticated and incorporates a prominent radiator grille dominated by a large Renault logo and flanked by sweptback headlights with projector lenses. Just below the lamps, the bumper features thin LED strips acting as daytime running lights.

Gallery: Renault Triber

The interior is relatively minimalistic but has a large display with Android Auto compatibility on the centre console that’s likely going to be available for the more expensive versions. The centre console is also home to the HVAC controls, as well as the engine start/stop button. Below that, there’s a large storage compartment with a USB/AUX hub. One of the most interesting features is the three-position switch positioned behind the parking brake which controls the power of the HVAC system for the second row of seats.

Renault Triber
Renault Triber

The sole engine option for the Triber will be a 1.0-litre petrol motor with 72 bhp and 71 pound-feet of torque. It’s definitely not an exciting powertrain but Renault says it “addresses the real needs of India users.” As standard, it will be mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, while optionally available will be an automated semi-automatic gearbox.

Renault says the new Triber has no direct competitors in India and should help the automaker double its annual sales in the country to 200,000 units over the next three years. No prices are available at the moment but Renault promises the model will be positioned competitively when it arrives at showrooms in the second half of 2019. Production will take place at the French brand’s Chennai plant.

Renault Triber
Renault Triber
Renault Triber

“India is a key market for Groupe Renault,” Thierry Bolloré, CEO of Groupe Renault, comments. “We are still young to India, yet our ambitions are high in line with our ‘Drive the Future’ strategic plan: we aim at doubling our sales by 2022. For that reason, we are bringing Renault Triber, another breakthrough concept, targeted for Indian’s core market. 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.

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Renault revealed Triber, a world-first vehicle designed and produced for the Indian market and an entirely new ultra-modular, modern and value-for-money model. Triber is a compact vehicle (less than 4 metres long) offering unbeatable flexibility. It can carry one to seven people and features the largest boot capacity of its category in five-seater configuration.

India is a key market for Groupe Renault. We are still young to India, yet our ambitions are high in line with our “Drive the Future” strategic plan: we aim at doubling our sales by 2022. For that reason, we are bringing Renault Triber, another breakthrough concept, targeted for Indian’s core market. 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. 
Thierry Bolloré, CEO of Groupe Renault 

 

With this innovative concept, Groupe Renault expands its local range already made up of Kwid, Duster and Captur. With no direct competitors, Triber is a real game-changer in comparison with other standard B-segment vehicles. Renault’s response to the key expectations of Indian customers is a modern, spacious yet compact, ultra-modular and fuel-efficient vehicle that the whole family can travel in. Attractively designed, sturdy, compact, roomy and modular, Triber is a versatile product which also achieves the feat of accommodating one to seven adults in comfort in less-than 4 metres of length.

Our goal with Triber was to design a car that would transform according to the many needs and the many lives of our customers. Whether they are parents, lovers, a friends’ group, a family pack, whatever their tribe, whatever their lifestyle, Renault Triber should adapt. Triber is true to the Indian values of conviviality and sharing, which are the same in Renault. It offers an attractive, robust and compact design and is re-inventing space for all. We are very proud of our latest breakthrough, which turned a length challenge into a miracle within 4 meters! 
Laurens van den Acker, Executive Vice-President, Corporate Design, Groupe Renault

Groupe Renault has international ambitions and aims at growing worldwide (over 40% of sales growth , with a target of more than 5 million vehicles by 2022). Triber, , will contribute to this global strategy. The medium-term goal in India, is to double the sales volume to 200,000 units annually over the next three years. Triber will be made at the Chennai site and sold at a competitive price in the Indian market in the second half of 2019.