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Fluent Driving

BW Online Bureau Nov 08, 2014

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><root available-locales="en_US," default-locale="en_US"><static-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Renault is tight-lipped about its new D-segment car Fluence's prices, but it is almost certain that once launched, the French auto major will take on Toyota Corolla Altis, Skoda Laura, Honda Civic and Chevrolet Cruze. Given the sad experience of its first car in India — Logan — the company is making an all-out effort to make sure that nothing goes wrong this time. Renault made the Fluence available to BW for a long drive along the sea coast from Chennai to Puducherry and back. Here are our first impressions. The Fluence has several pluses. Its long wheelbase translates into generous legroom up front and at the back, making long journeys tireless. The petrol variant comes with special features such as sun blinds and air-conditioning vents for rear passengers, which take it a step ahead of rivals. Fluence can claim to be somewhat more comfortable and spacious than its peers in this segment. Rear seat comfort, key for cars above Rs 10 lakh (which we assume Fluence will be), is enhanced by voluminous head and shoulder room, height-adjustable head rests, large glass areas allowing plenty of light when sun blinds are tucked away, centre armrest housing cola can holders, and door-mounted speakers. In the second round of variants, Renault is interested in exploring more premium options. For chauffeur-driven customers, LCD screens embedded on the headrests, a remote control for the audio system and bigger map pockets on the seat backs can be considered for the upgraded model. Even without these accessories, the rear seat comfort of the petrol model is the best in its segment. <table style="width: 250px;" align="right" border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10"> <tbody> <tr> <td><img src="/businessworld/sites/default/files/Renault-Fluence_200x167_0.jpg" width="250" height="167"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>TOP GEAR: Those looking forward to Renault's announcement of the Fluence's prices will have to wait till 23 May</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> The 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel mill is a tried-and-tested machine. Generating 106PS power and 240Nm torque, Fluence benefits from its excellent fuel efficiency and drivability. Delivering almost 22 kmpl (according to ARAI data), it puts Fluence at the top of the fuel efficiency table. The stiff suspension setup enables the car to remain fairly stable around bends even at three-digit speeds. In terms of handling, though, it has some way to go to beat the Skoda Laura. The car's 530-litre boot can shift homes. Storage volume inside the cabin, barring the glovebox, is ample. It offers 23 litres of storage space through cup holders, cubby holes, map pockets and other tiny compartments. In terms of safety, ABS, ESP and ASR come standard along with driver and passenger airbags, while side chest-level airbags are also present on the petrol variant but not available on most rival cars. Now for the cons. The Fluence comes in only two variants — one petrol and one diesel. Those looking for a petrol engine with manual transmission will have to settle for automatic transmission or opt for the diesel variant. However, compared to the petrol model, the diesel-powered Fluence is plain and basic. It lacks two airbags, rear air-conditioning vents, automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity and upmarket interiors. Noise levels in the cabin were consistently elevated throughout the drive, making the cabin noisier than other cars in its class. The engine is tuned for fuel economy and, as a result, takes away driving pleasure. There is a noticeable lag while accelerating from low speeds. The petrol engine is mated to a 6-speed CVT (automatic transmission), killing the enthusiasm of the 137-PS 2.0-litre motor. The transmission limits access to the spirited engine and learning the art of overtaking takes time. The CVT needs improvements as it fails to understand the intention of the driver, especially in the Automatic Drive mode. Overall, in the Fluence, despite the two-way adjustable steering and height-adjustable seat, tall drivers have to work hard to find the right driving position. Rear seat experience, though, is greatly enhanced with a couple of special features discussed above, but the absence of a flat floor means this strictly is a four-seater. Then, there's competition. The Corolla Altis, with its 1.4-litre diesel engine, is aimed clearly at the chauffeured customer, while Skoda Laura's high-displacement turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, and Chevrolet Cruze's 150-bhp diesel engine are meant for driving enthusiasts. The Fluence will try and deliver a combination of both with a longer wheelbase and a sizeable two-litre 137-PS petrol engine. By pairing it to a manual transmission, Renault can get closer to striking the right balance. Despite its shortcomings, the Fluence is a good (re)launch pad for the company. Renault will have to quickly gauge customer preferences and supplement suitable variants both above and below the initial offerings. As for you, wait for the price announcement on 23 May before thinking about buying the car. The author is managing editor of IndianAutosBlog(dot)com (This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 23-05-2011)