For five years, the Renault Triber has sold on space, not speed. Its 72 bhp engine felt strained with seven people and bags on board. That changes tomorrow. Renault launches the Triber Turbo on 28 September with the same 99 bhp, 160 Nm, and 1.0L turbo petrol from the Kiger. The big question isn't the power; it's the price. If the premium stays near ₹80,000 to ₹1 lakh, the Triber Turbo stays a smart buy. Cross that threshold, and the Ertiga starts to look tempting.
Triber Turbo price (expected): ₹80,000–₹1 lakh over the NA petrol
Renault reveals official prices tomorrow, 28 September. The current Renault Triber runs from ₹5.81 lakh to ₹8.74 lakh (ex-showroom), and the turbo will sit on top of that. Industry chatter points to a premium of about ₹80,000 to ₹1 lakh over the same NA (naturally aspirated, non-turbo) trim. In Kiger, that gap is roughly ₹1 lakh, so expect something similar here. If the turbo manual lands around ₹9 lakh, it stays sharp against the Maruti Ertiga (starts at ₹8.9 lakh). Push past ₹1 lakh and the maths becomes tricky. On-road prices will be higher, adding road tax, registration and insurance, which vary by state.
Renault Triber
MUV/MPVWhat's new: 99 bhp, 160 Nm turbo (vs 72 bhp NA)
The heart of it is a 1.0 L three-cylinder turbo petrol making 99 bhp and 160 Nm of torque (pulling power). That's a big jump over the NA engine's 72 bhp and 96 Nm. So you get 27 bhp and a huge 64 Nm more. The extra torque is the most important factor in a 7-seater. It means easier overtaking and less strain on climbs when the car is full. There's a real reason it took this long. The Triber has moved to Renault's RGEP platform, which allows the turbo engine to fit. The old CMF-A base couldn't take it easily.
Manual or CVT: two gearbox choices
The turbo comes with a 5-speed manual or a CVT automatic (a smooth, clutch-free auto with no fixed gears). The NA petrol previously offered a manual and a 5-speed AMT. The CVT is the more relaxed choice for city crawling and highway cruising. It also suits families who want an effortless, no-shift drive. The manual will be the cheaper, more involved option. Both use the same Kiger turbo unit, so response and refinement should carry over.
Which trims get the turbo? Likely Techno Upward
Renault hasn't shared the final variant list yet. But the turbo is expected only on higher-spec trims, not the base. The existing range runs Authentic (₹5.81 lakh), Evolution (₹6.70 lakh), Techno (₹7.44 lakh) and Emotion (₹8.05 lakh–₹8.26 lakh). Each step adds more kit, from basic to a touchscreen, alloys and better trim on top variants. Our value pick, if pricing behaves, is a turbo Techno around ₹8.4 lakh–₹8.5 lakh. That balances features and power without paying full top-trim money. No changes to size, design or cabin are expected; this is purely a new engine option.
Turbo CNG: spotted testing, but not confirmed
Renault may also bring a turbo CNG version later. Test cars have been spotted with turbo and CNG markings. The clever bit is a rumoured dual-cylinder CNG setup, with the tanks packaged under the boot floor. That would keep the full seven-seat layout usable instead of eating boot space. But this is not confirmed for tomorrow's launch. Treat it as likely, not certain. If running costs matter most to you and you do heavy mileage, the CNG turbo could be the really sweet spot, worth the wait.
Mileage: expect 16–17 kmpl, down from 18–19 kmpl
The NA Triber returns 18.20 to 19.00 kmpl (ARAI, the government test that always reads higher than real driving). The turbo will drink a bit more. In the Kiger, the same engine does roughly 16–17 kmpl on the test cycle. Real-world numbers will be lower, closer to the low-to-mid teens in city traffic with a full load. So you trade a little economy for a lot more punch. For families who load up seven people for trips to Lonavala or long highway runs, that's a fair deal.
Triber Turbo vs Ertiga, Gravite and Rumion
The Triber's trump card remains its price and its modular third row, which has removable seats that can be pulled out for luggage. It's the only proper 7-seater under ₹10 lakh with that flexibility. The Nissan Gravite (₹5.73 lakh–₹9.20 lakh) is a close cousin but weaker on power. The Maruti Ertiga (₹8.9 lakh–₹13.04 lakh) gets a smoother, more frugal 1.5L mild-hybrid, but no turbo, and it makes only 136.8 Nm, less than the Triber Turbo's 160 Nm. The Toyota Rumion (₹9.79 lakh–₹14.21 lakh) is the same Ertiga underneath but pricier. If the turbo Triber CVT lands under ₹9.5 lakh, it undercuts both while offering stronger low-end grunt.
Verdict: buy the turbo manual now, or wait for CNG?
The Triber Turbo fixes the one flaw that held it back. More power, still seven seats, still the cheapest ticket in the segment. If your family regularly travels full with luggage and you want highway confidence on a budget, the turbo manual makes sense, especially a Techno if it lands near ₹8.5 lakh. But if daily running cost is your top worry, hold on for the dual-cylinder turbo CNG. That could be the smarter long-term buy. One honest niggle: the turbo drinks more fuel than the NA, and the Ertiga's mild-hybrid remains the smoother, thriftier cruiser if you can stretch the budget.
References: Renault India — official website
