Renault Pulse Launched : Auto Expo 2012

[Rehaan]

In April, 2010 Renault chose to make its own way into the Indian market. They plan to launch five new products before the end of 2012. Their solo journey started off with the Fluence (launched 6 months ago) followed by the Koleos 4 months later in September, 2011. The Pulse is a much needed product for Renault's entry into India, as it will be their first offering in the mass segment.

The Renault Pulse was launched at the Auto Expo 2012 (3 months after its unveil)



The Renault Pulse

• RxL (lower variant) :Rs. 5,77,000 (all prices ex-showroom Delhi)
• RxL (with optional Airbag) : 5,95,500
• RxZ (top variant) : Rs. 6,25,000
• RxZ (with optional Airbags) : 6,37,500

Specifications

• If its not clear already, the Pulse is a rebadged Micra with a few tweaks.
• Its powered by the Renault K9K 1.5 dCi diesel (no petrol offered)
• 63 BHP @ 4000 rpm and peak torque of 160 Nm @ 2000 rpm
• 5-speed manual transmission
• ARAI tests show a fuel efficiency figure of 23.08 Kmpl (exactly the same as the Micra)

Features

• The top variant (RxZ) gets : dual airbags (optional extra), engine start/stop button, lock and unlock sensing folding ORVMs, automatic climate control, smart access key, leather wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, rear defogger with timer, roof spoiler, front fog lamps and 15" alloy wheels
• The lower variant (RxL) gets : driver airbag (optional extra), front and rear power windows only, central locking, integrated audio system, rear wiper and washer, follow-me headlamps
• The two variants get different interior trim / colours too
• Exterior colours : Pearl White, Metallic Red, Solid Black, Metallic Silver, Metallic Grey and Champagne Gold

Etc

• The engine is manufactured at the Renault–Nissan Alliance factory near Chennai
• Covered under the Renault Complete Care package. 2+2 year/80,000 Km warranty along with other benefits like Concierge services, 24X7 roadside assistance, Navigation assistance, etc
• Currently, Renault India has 35 dealerships across the country which the company plans to increase to around 100 dealerships by the end of 2012
• Changes from the Micra include a slightly different headlight design, completely new front grille, different rear bumper, alloy design and other minor tweaks
• The Pulse is exclusive to the Indian market. The changes were designed and developed by Renault’s India design studio, based in Mumbai
• The top end Pulse comes with a passenger side airbag while the Micra does not
• Note : Just like the Micra diesel, no ABS offered on the Pulse!
• Visually, the car looks a little less “cute and girly” than the Micra, and therefore probably wont scare away some male customers like the Micra did

Thanks to .anshuman for the pictures

The new grille design


Interior trim of the lower RxL variant






Compare the different headlights and front grille to the Micra below




Compare the new bumper design with the Micra below


A really neatly kitted out Pulse. Looks sweet...

[Rehaan]

For the coverage of the rest of the Renault stall view this thread

cya
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[Just Cars]

Test Driven the Renault Pulse...Handling seems better than the Micra (Suspensions re-tuned). I for one would never want to be seen with the Micra for its look(Subjective) but found the Pulse looking more car-like. ABS is absent even in the RxZ version but Brake-Assist is there (the salesman told me so). However the brakes are adequate in most city driving conditions.

[Turbokick]

100 dealers by the end of 2012 is surely impressive.
While styling is still not upto my taste but the overall package is good and can be a good alternate to the Swift, more so with its waiting period killing the costumers.
Somehow I feel Renault might end up selling better number of Pulse than Nissan manages to do with Micra.
Service can be the 'make or break' thing for Renault. Hope Renault does well.

Why no petrol btw ?

[CoolFire]

No ABS, like in Micra diesel is real bad news.

What on earth could be the reason?

[Ym-enjn]

Front looks striking similar to DC modified Fortuner. Who inspired whom..

[maverick145]

The Pulse looks neat but the absence of ABS is a let down. I also think this looks better than the Micra.

How is the quality of the interiors?

[amitwlele]

Isn't the pricing too optimistic with the base version at 5.77 L?

Also i think the design studio has done a very bad job with the dashboard. It looks very ugly IMO.

[ghostrider]

While the back looks better with the fake-diffuser treatment, the front looks weird. It almost looks like it's running around with it's mouth open.

They should've tried and doing something with the interiors. To me that's the biggest letdown in the Micra. Perhaps some chrome-ringed dials, better fabric trim, some soft plastics, black and brushed aluminium dash, that kind of thing.

Also... 5.77 for the base version is way too steep.

[viggienomad]

At least, the Pulse cannot be termed feminine. Perhaps a male cousin of Micra! But with the mouth wide open, it does looks like a zombie. Rear seems better than Micra.

If it wants to be a He than She, it should have a personality. Can find that out only in person. A He should be more fun to drive (reworked gear ratios, etc.).

[suhaas307]

Originally Posted by Ym-enjn

Front looks striking similar to DC modified Fortuner. Who inspired whom..

I thought it looked like it was actually inspired by the Nissan GT-R's front end. See..





It seems to have a hint of Maserati GranTurismo in it too. *winks*





Anyway, I love the way the Pulse looks, I hope they stock those accessories on the hotted-up Pulse. Or maybe offer it as some limited-edition variant, or something. The kit on it looks fab, diffuser, exhaust and the Alfa Romeo-esq wheels too!

Originally Posted by viggienomad

If it wants to be a He than She, it should have a personality. Can find that out only in person. A He should be more fun to drive (reworked gear ratios, etc.).

Ah, don't be such a sexist.

Just kidding!

[volkman10]

Renault's Pulse bags 746 order's in its first month. Plans to increase the dealer network by two folds, but will this work?

Micra seems to garner more volumes than the Pulse!

Cheers!


Renault Pulse bags 746 orders in its first month

[Fuldagap]

Saw a Renault Pulse in a showroom yesterday in Pune. To me it looks like a Nissan Micra with black lipstick and even uglier.

[volkman10]

Renault Pulse to become dearer by Rs. 12000 from 8th March!

"Talking about the price hike, Marc Nassif, Managing Director, Renault India Pvt Ltd, said,”The Pulse has been received very well by our customers and we have received a large number of enquiries from potential customers. The Pulse represents the aspirations and needs of present day customers and comes loaded with features, which provide an extremely good value for money proposition. In the face of rising input cost we have now no option but to pass on a part of the cost to our customers although the Pulse still remains as one of the most competitive in its segment on all features including the price“.

Renault Pulse to become dearer by Rs.12000 from 8th March

[bala80]

I read this news in the newspaper this morning. More than the price hike, I was surprised to read statements like the car has been received very well, VFM etc. I have hardly seen any on the roads so far.

May be i'm not aware, but the deliveries of pulse has started, right? Its hardly been a month since auto expo and we already see a price increase, this is crazy!

OT - Seeing all these, I feel we are going to be terribly disappointed with the pricing of duster if and when it comes out!