6 New CNG Powered Renaults And Nissans
The market penetration of CNG vehicles has been increasing rapidly in India. In the recent past, we have seen multiple CNG models getting launched and rising to acceptance. Renault and Nissan have both embarked on their respective sales revival journeys in India. It looks like both companies want to take the CNG game seriously. This article will discuss six CNG-powered launches expected from Nissan and Renault in the coming years.
These are both B-segment SUVs. The outgoing versions are underpinned by the CMF-A+ ( Common Module Family-Affordable) platform and come with CNG retrofitment kits that can be had as dealer-level fitments, on manual naturally aspirated variants alone. This kit would add another Rs 79,500 to the total vehicle price.
This is about to change. The two SUVs will soon transition to the new-age RGEP (Renault Group Entry Platform), which is significantly more advanced than the CMF-A family and supports newer powertrains. More importantly it will support a factory-fitted CNG setup.
CNG will be packaged in two interconnected cylindrical tanks, integrated into the vehicle’s underbody. This will free up a lot of boot space. In the case of dealer-level fitment, the CNG tank used to sit in the boot, and eat into usable space.
The Kiger and Magnite offer the choice of two 1.0L three-cylinder petrol engines- a naturally aspirated unit producing 70hp and a turbocharged one that makes 98hp and 160Nm. The CNG versions will most likely use the naturally aspirated petrol engine, although there are reports that suggest that they could feature the turbocharged engine.
The Triber is an affordable three-row people mover. Underpinned by the CMF-A+ platform, it comes with a 1.0L naturally aspirated petrol engine that makes 70 hp and 96 Nm. Here too, the company offers a dealer-level CNG retrofitment kit for Rs 79,500. The tank in this setup, is placed in the boot, eating into usable space. The Triber has practicality and boot usability as two of its key selling points. In that case, a compromise in the same would limit the appeal of CNG.
This MPV will soon move to the RGEP. The introduction of dual underbody tanks for CNG storage will clear the clutter in the boot and make it more usable and appealing.
The Gravite is Nissan’s version of the Triber. It was launched in February this year, and remains mechanically unchanged from the Triber. It uses the same platform, engine and transmissions. After the Triber moves to the RGEP, the Gravite will follow suit. In that case, the CNG version will have dual-cylinder tanks that sit under the vehicle.
Another expected launch from Renault is the Bridger. This SUV has been designed and developed in India and will first go on sale here. It will be underpinned by the Renault Global Modular Platform (RGMP). This is more advanced than the global CMF-B platform and is a multi-energy platform. It has been confirmed that this SUV will get a CNG powertrain.
The Bridger will use a newly-developed 1.2L turbocharged petrol engine. The CNG version will likely use the same engine as its base. Further details of this powertrain remain unclear, but the RGMP is expected to feature an underbody CNG tank. In addition to CNG, this SUV will also be available with hybrid and internal combustion powertrains.
Nissan is expected to launch its badge-engineered version of the Bridger sometime in the future. It will use the same platform and powertrain options as the Renault SUV.