Renault launches Fluence E4 Diesel variant

It’s been a while since Renault completely dusted it hands off the Logan venture with Mahindra and while its ambitions of growing rapidly under the Renault-Nissan Alliance has borne fruit globally, in India the French car maker has more or less played second fiddle to its Japanese partner.

The slow and steady inflow of purebred Renault passenger cars the likes of the Fluence, Koleos and the re-badged Pulse hatch have caused only a slight stir amongst competitors in their respective segments and the Fluence in particular has done little to break away from that pattern.

Renault's full-size mainstream sedan offering for India has been on sale in both petrol and diesel versions since May 2011 and, while the petrol version was high on power and equipment the toned-down diesel model with critical comfort and safety equipment missing has been a certain letdown.

The start of the new fiscal year, however, has encouraged Renault to make amends and not surprisingly take advantage of the enormous excise hike on petrol models by cleverly introducing an all new high-end fully equipped diesel variant of its Fluence model.

Powered by the new generation of Renault’s largely successful 1.5 dCi (K9K) Direct Injection Diesel Engine, the new E4 variant of the Fluence gets a slight power up to 110PS @4,000rpm and 240Nm of torque @ 2,000rpm. Mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, the new E4 diesel variant of the Fluence, as per Renault testing, claims an overall mileage of 20.4kmpl.

While the E4 diesel remains structurally identical to the current Fluence model range, it’s the uncompromising level of equipment, safety features and connectivity options that pretty much sets it at par with its petrol cousin.

All that you sorely missed on the E2 Diesel like rain-sensing wipers, premium fabric upholstery, rear parking sensors, automatic headlamps, rear sunblinds, an electrochrome rear view mirror, Bluetooth and USB connectivity and even top notch safety features like side-chest level airbags (front seats) have all been neatly packed into this high-end diesel variant making it a plusher and more premium mainstream sedan proposition for Indian buyers.

Speaking at the launch of the new E4 Diesel, Marc Nassif, MD, Renault India, said "The Fluence was the first offering from Renault in India. We are highly pleased with the product's performance and it has been very well accepted by Indian customers. The upgraded Fluence is all about out committment to the Indian market and is a result of the feedback we have recieved."

With the revised pricing for large petrol models in the country only giving customer added incentive to seriously consider purchasing diesels; Renault has done well to price the well-equipped E4 diesel variant at a price of Rs 15.20 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

Although still far behind on the power to weight ratio front as compared to the competition, the comfort and driver aids on the Fluence E4 diesel variant may have the Chevrolet Cruzes and Toyota Corolla Altis’ in the country worried just a little bit.