Renault LBA – What is it?

The lockdown has surely slowed down the automobile market and sales. But many manufacturing units have started back on. Companies are also planning new products for the Indian market. Sales are expected to go up soon after the lockdown. The sub-10 lakh segment will get more popular because of cutbacks taken by people. Renault is planning to get a sub-four metre compact sedan to fit into this segment. It is nicknamed as the Renault LBA for now. Find out more details about the car below.

Renault LBA platform

It will be based on the CMFA platform that is also currently used for the Renault Triber in our market. The car gets a curvy design and no sharp edges as such. It also gets C shaped DRLs on the front along with a lot of chrome usage on the grille and other parts. Overall the car will get a conventional design and could look similar to the Renault Kwid from many areas. This platform will be the base for the upcoming HBC model as well. The Renault LBA is expected to come with some segment-first features.

Renault LBA Engine and Transmission

Since turbo petrol engines are in demand in this segment right now, this model could get the 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine from Renault.

This will be mated to a five-speed manual transmission or an AMT gearbox.

This engine could produce 93 bhp. It could also get the option of a CVT transmission in the turbo engine to appeal to wider audiences. The same engine will first make its way to the Renault Triber  In its base models, it could get the lower-spec 1.0-litre three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol that produces 70 bhp. This will only get the option of a manual gearbox.

Also read: 2020 Renault Triber AMT – Price and Other Details

Pricing and competition

It will sit in a heavily competitive segment, with the likes of the Maruti Dzire, Hyundai Aura and the Honda Amaze. The Maruti Dzire has been the most popular product of this segment, and Renault plans to undercut the pricing of the LBA compared to the Dzire to increase the sales. For reference, The Dzire starts from Rs 5.83 lakh (ex-showroom). The Dzire is the highest selling sedan in our country.

Although for now, Renault will focus on the HBC SUV rather than the sedan. The Renault LBA is expected to be launched in the second half of  next year. Renault also plans to focus on the sub-10 lakh segment in the future which means that many of its car will be sub-four metre.