Driven

Text & Images: Shrawan Raja
	The second coming for Renault in India is being spearheaded by the Fluence sedan. And, at the media briefing on the evening before the drive, officials at Renault made presentations highlighting the cornerstones of the Fluence. But, running through the slides, the hosts couldn’t really manage to highlight one standout USP, which would drive sales of a product that is clearly make-or-break for this company in India. In its short-lived first innings, Renault’s poor foresight and vague strategy saw the highly promising Logan suffer in a competitive marketplace. Now known as the Mahindra Verito, luckily bad blood won’t simmer between the company and customers since after-sales support and spares will continue to be provided by Mahindra. Having escaped from a near-fatal situation by a whisker, has Renault salvaged anything from the setback? What does the Fluence add to a bubbling segment, which will witness at least three all-new entrants (the Ford Focus, Hyundai Avante, and new Honda Civic) making entries in the next 12 months? Well, the Renault Fluence really doesn’t floor you with its looks or performance. We’ll come to the performance in a bit, but the streamlined appearance can at best redraw Renault’s image in India – something that’s crucial since this time there aren’t any joint ventures to tackle. For an internationally successful company at the forefront of breakthrough technologies, the best start in a lucrative and conservative market like India is achieved by a product that’s worth a second look and, of course, provides reasonable margins. The D segment then is the best pick. Renault believes in a top-down strategy. The Fluence is the first of five new cars it’ll launch by the end of next year – a rapid onslaught which includes inaugurating 100 dealerships in the same time frame, a feat that no other company can boast of. The Fluence, meanwhile, boasts of a long wheelbase that translates into generous levels of legroom in front, and at the back. This is the first and most important credential of any long distance cruiser. The well-appointed interiors of the petrol variant come with pleasing features – like leather seats, a roomy cabin, height-adjustable head rests, sun blinds, and air-conditioning vents for rear seat passengers. The Fluence leaves no stone unturned in providing the best comfort to its occupants, and, in the process, sets the standard for space and comfort among its rivals. Helping the Logan and Micra on their way to attain class-leading fuel economy in real world conditions, the tried-and-tested 1.5 litre four-cylinder diesel engine is an economical mile muncher. In the Fluence, it generates a generous 105bhp and 240Nm of torque. At nearly 22km/l, this engine raises the benchmark and catapults the Fluence to the top of its class in yet another category. The 2.0-litre petrol version, on the other hand, punches in at 135bhp and comes with a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).
	The Fluence’s voluminous 530-litre boot can carry large quantities of luggage, and inside the cabin, the story is no different. The Fluence offers 23 litres of storage volume in the form of cubby holes, cup holders, and coin compartments. Barring the stingy glovebox, everyday items will have plenty of places to fit in. Renault lays emphasis on safety and isn’t providing the relatively uneducated Indian market a model devoid of life-saving equipment. ABS, ESP, and ASR are standard along with driver and passenger airbags, while side chest-level airbags are also present on the petrol variant. Tie this together with the EuroNCAP 4-star safety rating, and you get one of the safest cars this side of 20 lakh Rupees. On the flip side, in an attempt to provide confusion-free buying for the crucial, opinion-forming initial customers, Renault offers only two cars in total – a single petrol and diesel variant respectively. This gives rise to a grave drawback. Strapped for choice, customers looking for a petrol engine coupled to the pleasurable experience of operating a manual transmission will have no option but to settle for the sluggish 6-speed CVT, or opt for the less refined and less powerful oil burner. Conversely, customers looking for the economy of the diesel will have to do without leather interiors and plenty of gadgets. Renault’s understanding of a diesel customer suggests that he or she is after fuel efficiency, is worried about maintenance expenditure, and prefers economy over equipment. Therefore, the diesel variant falls short of two airbags, rear air-conditioning vents, automatic climate control, bluetooth connectivity, and upmarket interiors. Compared to the petrol model, the diesel-powered Fluence is a bland and basic car. Renault has tried hard to design the Fluence for customers belonging to different age groups and builds. Features like two-way adjustable steering and a height-adjustable driver’s seat are a testimony to this ambition. But, with that said, tall drivers still have to work hard in finding a comfortable driving position. Coming to the rear, the experience is much better as already mentioned, but the absence of a flat floor makes it difficult to seat three adults. The diesel engine is tuned for high fuel economy, and, as a result, loses out on driving pleasure. A noticeable lag is experienced while accelerating and the engine is distinctly audible inside the cabin. Meanwhile, the petrol engine mated to a 6-speed CVT drains the otherwise enthusiastic drive with 135bhp on tap from the highly-refined and confident 2.0 litre motor. The transmission comes in the way of the gamut of power. Stepping on the accelerator gives rise to a loud scream. Confusion arises in choosing the mode of driving, as the automatic mode is loud and lazy, and the manual mode suffers from a noticeable delay and is no fun to operate. Minor niggles like the storage box between the seats hampering with the gear shifting action and swooping roofline at the rear, which needs a ‘watch your head’ sign at the exit, need to be ironed out in the next generation. Yet, the attractive and well-proportioned Fluence, packed with safety features is a great launch pad for a company that’s desperate to capture a position among the top three non-Indian manufacturers operating in India in the next three years. Renault will have to solve inventory related problems, understand customer tastes, and bolster its line-up with suitable variants above and below the current offerings. This is critical if it needs the Fluence to herald it past expectations, and break away quickly from the fleet-vehicle mould left behind by the Logan. Nevertheless, the Fluence is certainly worth a look if you have about 15 lakh rupees to spend.
	Renault Fluence             Engine: 1997cc / 4 cylinder / 16 Valves / DOHC Fuel: Petrol Transmission: 6-Speed CVT Power: 137bhp@6000rpm Torque: 190Nm@3700rpm Price: (Ex-Showroom): Rs.14.4 Lakhs Engine: 1461cc / 4 cylinder / 8 Valves / SOHC Fuel: Diesel Transmission: 6-speed Manual Power: 106bhp@4000rpm Torque: 240Nm@2000rpm Price: (Ex-Showroom): Rs.12.99 Lakhs
	Shrawan Raja is the Managing Editor of the daily updated http://indianautosblog.com