[GTO]

Mod Note: Team-BHP's Renault Fluence Review has been uploaded at this link. Please continue the discussion on the review thread. Thanks!



High Points:

- Renault launches the Fluence E4D Diesel @ 15.20 lakhs (Ex-showroom Delhi).

- The upgraded 1.5L dCi engine has an ARAI fuel efficiency rating of 20.4 Kpl. Power sees a marginal bump up to 109 BHP, while torque remains the same at 240 Nm. The Variable Geometric Turbo is all new, while the air intake path has been improved upon.

Some of the noteworthy features:

- ABS with EBD and Brake Assist
- ESP (Electronic stability program)
- ASR (Anti-Slip Regulation)
- 4 Airbags
- Dual-zone air conditioning
- Rear air con vents
- Automatic Headlamps & Wipers
- Smart Access Card Entry
- Engine Start/Stop Button
- Cruise control
- Leather upholstery
- Rear sunblinds
- 4 years / 80,000 km warranty

Link to Team-BHP's Official Review

[shivasuma]

Thanks for the info GTO. Apparently they have worked on the turbo-lag and drivability is much better is what I read somewhere. I will take a test drive to see if there is really a difference.

[nitrous]

1.5L dCi? Is this the same one that powers the Logan?

[dot]

It would be interesting to observe how many numbers of the E4D variant gets sold. That would probably provide a pointer on how much of the market segment has 15 Lakhs to spare but little money to buy fuel.

[vvijay]

Originally Posted by nitrous

1.5L dCi? Is this the same one that powers the Logan?

Yes, it is the same 1.5L K9K engine that powers the Logan but with a bigger VGT. But since this unit suffered a significant turbo-lag, an all-new VGT has replaced the existing VGT unit bumping up the power by 4bhp.

[vb-saan]

Any update on the E2 variant as well? The dealer in Cochin mention that a price hike of more than a lakh is expected on this variant in April.

[ajmat]

I would not get too hung up about size of engine. It is proven and durable. It also contributes to a lighter front end. Am not sure if the price hike is inclusive with the excise duty hike. If that is taken into account, the price hike is about Rs 40000 for the upgrade, almost the same as a remap

[deetjohn]

So, the Fluence range gets the E4D finally.

And it is priced marginally lower than the E4 petrol CVT.

Will be interesting to see how much of an impact the E4D makes.

Also, the pricing in the official site for the E4D seems to be lower than what is quoted in the press release.

Originally Posted by vb-san

E4 diesel is not something new. It was launched a few months back. I guess the update is just on the engine remap.

My bad. I seem to have not registered the E4D launch at all.

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by deetjohn

So, the Fluence range gets the E4D finally.

And it is priced marginally lower than the E4 petrol CVT.

Will be interesting to see how much of an impact the E4D makes.

E4 diesel is not something new. It was launched a few months back. I guess the update is just on the engine remap.

Originally Posted by deetjohn

Also, the pricing in the official site for the E4D seems to be lower than what is quoted in the press release.

True, looks like the website is not yet updated.

[motomaverick]

Seeing quite a few Fluences on the road these days, I really hoped that with this upgrade the power should have been upped in the league to the Cruze, considering the price bracket.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by nitrous

1.5L dCi? Is this the same one that powers the Logan?

As well as the Micra & Sunny.

Originally Posted by ajmat

I would not get too hung up about size of engine.

Forget the size, even the power rating is poor. Cars from a full segment below make more horses. The Fluence E4D would cost ~18 lakhs on the road; at that price, 108 BHP simply doesn't make the cut. While power matters to us, "cc" does to the aam junta. Just ask Toyota of the response their 1.4L D4-D Corolla received from showroom hoppers.

If it's not for the premium'ness, why would anyone bother with a D1 / D2 segment sedan anyways? The C1 & C2 take care of all the needs. Premium = Wants (over needs).

[Vid6639]

Originally Posted by GTO

Forget the size, even the power rating is poor. Cars from a full segment below make more horses. The Fluence E4D would cost ~18 lakhs on the road; at that price, 108 BHP simply doesn't make the cut. While power matters to us, "cc" does to the aam junta. Just ask Toyota of the response their 1.4L D4-D Corolla received from showroom hoppers.

If it's not for the premium'ness, why would anyone bother with a D1 / D2 segment sedan anyways? The C1 & C2 take care of all the needs. Premium = Wants (over needs).

Yeah GTO but the Laura also comes with a 110PS engine for manual transmission albeit from a 2L engine. So power is similar to Laura actually.

I agree with what you say completely about the C1/C2 vs D1/D2.

Why would I buy a Fluence or Laura with 110bhp or Altis with 88bhp for 17-18lakhs when I can get the same performance from a Vento/Rapid/Verna for a lot less.

Heck that's why the Sunny is doing so well. Why bother with a bare bones Fluence E2 when you get the same engine in the Sunny for 5lakhs lesser.

[kevinephraim]

Not related directly about the Fluence but reading the above posts made me wonder if it were possible to remap
Ref:

Originally Posted by vb-san

E4 diesel is not something new. It was launched a few months back. I guess the update is just on the engine remap.

Originally Posted by ajmat

If that is taken into account, the price hike is about Rs 40000 for the upgrade, almost the same as a remap

the same engine which is in the Micra diesel
Ref

Originally Posted by nitrous

1.5L dCi? Is this the same one that powers the Logan?

Originally Posted by GTO

As well as the Micra & Sunny.

to actually get about a 104 horses?
Ref :

Originally Posted by vvijay

Yes, it is the same 1.5L K9K engine that powers the Logan but with a bigger VGT. But since this unit suffered a significant turbo-lag, an all-new VGT has replaced the existing VGT unit bumping up the power by 4bhp.

Making the Micra Diesel a real hot hatch?

[suhaas307]

Originally Posted by kevinephraim

Making the Micra Diesel a real hot hatch?

Small hatchbacks will never be powered by large engines. It's unfortunate, but the mindset of the average Indian car-buyer is to buy a sedan as an upgrade over a hatchback.

Hatchbacks are for people who simply can't afford a sedan yet.

This attitude has driven the market for years now, and even the Govt.'s rule on curtaining use of high capacity engines for small-cars has made it quite clear that hatchbacks will be literally 'put-in-their-place'. The enthusiast be damned.

[Mpower]

Originally Posted by Vid6639

Yeah GTO but the Laura also comes with a 110PS engine for manual transmission albeit from a 2L engine. So power is similar to Laura actually.

But the torque should be better and more low down na? Or is it not?

Anyway its just a mental block that its a 1.5 only.