Aiming to strengthen its presence in India, Renault has planned several new products for the market including an all-new Renault Bridger concept-based sub-4 metre SUV. It’s production-ready version will arrive by the end of 2027, challenging the upcoming and . The Bridger will sit between the Kiger and Duster in Renault’s product lineup.
The carmaker has confirmed that the Renault Bridger will be first launched in India before being exported to global markets. Renault’s Chennai manufacturing facility will serve as production hub for the subcompact for both domestic and global markets. While the launch is still sometime away, here’re five interesting facts about the Bridger you should know.
1. Rugged Lifestyle SUV
Visually, the Bridger concept looks rugged and muscular, unlike any other Renault offering in India. With its boxy stance, high ground clearance and muscular built, the subcompact will be positioned as a rugged lifestyle SUV.
2. Duster-Inspired Design
The production-ready Renault Bridger is expected to stay closer to the concept, while deriving several design elements from the Duster. The concept features an aggressive front fascia with elements such as a large blacked-out grille, LED lights with illuminated ‘RENAULT’ lettering in the middle, wide air dam, a sporty skid plate and a sculpted bonnet.
Other design highlights will include squarish fenders, pronounced wheel arches with 18-inch square-spoke alloy wheels, C-pillar integrated rear door handles, a 200mm high ground clearance, sharply designed LED taillamps, tailgate mounted spare wheel, sporty rear bumper with skid plate.
3. Class-Leading Space
Renault has revealed that the Bridger will offer a spacious cabin with a class-leading rear knee room of 200mm. Furthermore, the subcompact SUV concept has a boot space of 400-litres, which is likely to be retained in the production model. For reference, the Kia Syros currently offers the largest boot space in its segment at up to 465-litres with rear seats pushed forward.
4. New 1.2 NA Petrol Engine
According to reports, Renault is developing a new 1.2L, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine for the Bridger. It will essentially be a derivative of the Duster’s 1.3L TGDi engine. However, unlike the Duster’s direct-injection system, the new 1.2L petrol engine will use a multi-point fuel injection system (MPFi) system.
5. Hybrid & Electric Versions Expected
The Renault Bridger will be based on the brand’s R-GMP platform, which supports multiple powertrains including petrol, electric and hybrid. This means, the SUV’s production-ready version could be offered with hybrid and electric powertrain as well. Renault has also claimed that the Bridger will deliver “class-leading efficiency”.