Everything you need to know about Renault's new Kardian SUV
Production of the new Kardian SUV, the first of eight new models to be unveiled by French brand Renault, will reach Moroccan dealerships in the second half of 2024. Announced in Brazil, production of the new vehicle will begin development in Curitiba and arrive in mid-2024 at the Somaca industrial complex in Casablanca.
Morocco is one of the Renault Group's top 10 markets. With a focus on non-European markets, the Kardian will have a unique identity, a robust silhouette and an aesthetic that conveys a formality and brilliance hitherto unseen in this type of urban vehicle.
By the end of September 2023, Morocco will become the Renault Group's tenth global market. Domestic sales during this period were 44,497 units, registering a local market share of 37.9%. Morocco remains the Group's most important market in Africa and the MENA region in the first nine months of 2023. It is also the only country among the top 15 automotive manufacturers in Africa and the Arab world.
The new body lines project a modern look as Renault Argentina CEO Pablo Civila commented: "We are entering the second phase of this great process, 'Renaulution'. The Kardian is the first model to reflect the brand's new identity, and more models will join until 2027, so the overhaul has begun. The revolution, the third stage in which technology, connectivity and electrification will completely transform Renault globally, will begin in 2025, halfway through the revolution."
Safety at the wheel, Renault's main premise
In a sector where technological development is very evenly matched, Renault, as part of its "International Game Plan 2027", has made a commitment to safety. While one of the hallmarks of the French brand's vehicles has always been safety, this time they have taken it to the next level. 6 airbags and more than 13 driving aid and assistance systems - including blind spot warning and multi-view camera - make the Kardian SUV one of the most modern and effective safety systems on the market.
With a compact body made of materials with one of the best price-performance ratios on the market, the new Kardian is one of the most comprehensive urban cars on the market in terms of safety.
"We find in Kardian all the DNA and know-how of the Renault brand: the new design style, innovative technologies in the segment, useful, well thought-out and bringing a lot of value to our customers. This clearly strengthens and modernises our range in the B segment in Latin America and in other countries such as Morocco," said Bruno Vanel, Renault's Director of Product Performance.
Pragmatism, ergonomics and technology at the service of the customer
Aware of the problems facing cities, Renault has found in this new model a vehicle that is ideally suited to the urban environment. Overpopulation, urban sprawl and lack of space are issues that Renault has sought to overcome.
Kardian, 4.12 m long (1.75 m wide, 1.54 m high), is a B-segment vehicle. Its dimensions are ideal for urban driving and its large wheels, long length, long wheelbase (2.60 m) and corresponding entry angles of 20° and 36° make it a versatile and comfortable vehicle on all roads. This long wheelbase maximises interior space for the comfort of rear seat passengers. The boot capacity, 358 cubic decimetres VDA (or 410 litres), is another clear indication of its versatility of use.
Renault Kardian's interior is designed for life on board, combining modernity and technology. Equipped with an 'e-shifter' (no mechanical cables) for easy operation at the touch of a button. The shape of the joystick is inspired by the world of video games. Another highlight of the interior design: the electronic parking brake contributes to the modernity of the interior and saves space for efficient use of space between driver and passengers.
Renault Kardian also features a 7-inch digital dashboard with a modern and stylish design. The interface offers a wealth of driving information and smooth navigation between different views. The backlight colour can be adjusted to match the eight different states of the multimedia screen and is linked to the front door LED to further enhance the interior design.
Another technical advantage of the Kardian is the 8-inch floating multimedia display with slim bezels. The multimedia system supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay wired or wirelessly, allowing you to view your smartphone's driving and entertainment apps directly on the screen. This screen provides access to multi-sensing settings. The in-vehicle behaviour and ambience varies according to driver preference and there are three modes: Eco, Sport and MySense.
Environmentally friendly engines
Renault Kardian, in its Brazilian edition, has 125 horsepower. The 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with direct injection producing 220 Nm of torque is mated to an EDC dual-clutch automatic transmission for maximum driving pleasure. This mechanical combination together with the Stop & Start system limits fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. A torque of 220 Nm ensures energy-efficient operation.
Like many of the brand's European models, the Kardian combines a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine with a dual-clutch EDC transmission. By simultaneously engaging both clutches, it is possible to change gear quickly without altering speed, improving driving comfort and responsiveness.
You can also upshift or downshift manually using the steering wheel paddles. The transmission also uses dual wet clutch technology, which optimises clutch cooling and improves durability, giving it a real competitive advantage in Latin American countries. Technically known as DW23, the box is a world first and will be launched in the Latin American market.
Somaca, la segunda etapa
The efficient and flexible Somaca factory plans to add new products to its catalogue from the second half of next year. The industrialisation of this new model at our Casablanca site reinforces the role of Morocco as an important industrial platform for the Group. Morocco is currently the Renault Group's second largest producer in the world and represents 17% of the Group's global sales.
During a visit to Morocco earlier this month, Renault Group CEO Luca De Meo announced that the group's production capacity in Morocco will increase to 500,000 vehicles per year by 2025. It is worth noting that the new Kardian heralds the Renault Group's new modular and versatile platform, which will enable the development of a wide range of models for numerous markets outside Europe.
The latter will become the basis for the design and production of "à la carte" vehicles. In the future, this will enable the development of seven vehicles with global business in the group's four industrial regions: Latin America, Turkey, Morocco and India. Like the Niagara concept unveiled in Brazil at the same time as Kardian, this platform will be used to develop very different vehicles, such as full-size vans and other attractive silhouettes. This new scalable Renault Group platform will feature a modern electrical and electronic architecture, compatible with all existing and future regulations.