idofsuresh -
that's news. If that is the case, shouldn't the fog lamp be on the left side as in India, drivers generally park on the left hand side.
And also, if it is a rule, why don't other car manufacturers offer the same?
Anyways, so i went to check out the Logan today and though i wasn't dissapointed (T-BHP prepared me for the worst), i was quite shocked at the appalling quality.
Though i did not drive it (17 years) i saw it and sat in it and examined all the other features and build quality.
While the build quality is quite nice and the passengers have little reason to complain thanks to the space available, the rest of the car is horrendous.
The interiors are made of really hard plastic and the beige theme on lower models looks really tacky and will definitely get dirty quite fast given indian conditions.
The air con vents look really similar to the Fiesta's but aren't as easy to move around.
Also, the bumper finish is really really poor and looks like an accident touch up job. This is quite visible in the sahara beige color.
Also, as the following pics will show, quality isn't up to the mark either.
The rear bumper was sticking out. Didn't gel with the body and didn't look factory fit. Same case with the front bumpers
The following pics are of the HUGE panel gaps -
between the tail lamp and the trunk
The trunk and the rest of the body. Again looks like an accident job as the trunk is misaligned
Also, the wipers were inverted and were built for LHD versions. Would affect driveability in Indian conditions
However, i cannot comment on the driveability, performance, Ride and Handling as i didn't drive the car.
Also the service at NBS International was quite pathetic and people were made to wait even though the crowd wasn't much (4 - 5 people/families).
The prices have been quoted elsewhere but ill just compare them with other cars.
The base model - 1.4 GL retails for 5L on road Mumbai and only offers ac and there aren't any models that this can be compared with.
The 1.4 GLE however, which comes with PS and AC but no power windows, retails for 5.5 OTR Mumbai which is quite sad.
According to ACI, the Ikon Flair retails for 5.6 OTR Mumbai, without factoring any discounts, and that comes fully loaded with AC, PS, PW and even offers beige interiors. The Ikon even offers a much more comfortable backseat (IMHO) and better service.
Similarly, the Tata Indigo GLX retails for 5.63L OTR Mumbai and comes fully loaded too, offering the same pros as the Ikon + an even better rear seat.
Needless to say, build quality of both these cars are much better than that of the Logan.
The top end petrol logan (1.6 GLS) retails for 6.6L and is fully loaded with AC, PS, PW and a music system.
However, in comparison, the Tata Indigo GLX comes at 6.53L and trumps the Logan's trump card of VFM with leather seats and alloys and a DVD player along with its other pros.
And at this price, even the fiesta 1.4 EXI (6.37L) and Aveo Base (6.97L) and Accent 1.6 GLS (6.74L) enter, offering better VFM and much better overall vehicles than the Logan, though they do not offer the driver side Airbag which is present in the Logan.
One can even take into consideration the newly launched Fiesta 1.4 ZXi petrol which would be around Logans price after discounts, and this variant offers a music system and electrically adjustable ORVMs.
Now, coming to the Diesel Logan.
The base Logan Diesel - GLE - is priced at 6.4L OTR and that puts it bang in the Indigo LX (fully loaded) territory which is priced at 6.12L.
The top of the line diesel Logan comes at 7.5L and though it has all the essential features, it is way too overpriced.
The fiesta Diesel - 1.4 EXi - is priced at 8.15L OTR and is a much better car offering much better technology and quality than the Logan, therefore translating into higher savings in the future.
Similarly, the Tata Indigo SX diesel, which offers leather and DVD player and alloys is for around 7L and trumps the Logan in every possible way except for engine.
Even the Accent VIVA CRDi is priced at 7.8L OTR and comes fully loaded.
Mind You, all the prices of the Logan were taken from the showroom and the other vehicles from ACI.
Also, the other vehicle prices do not include discounts, so imagine the prices after discounts
So overall, would i reccommend the Logan to anyone?
NO!
It seems that Mahindra - Renault will go the PAL - Peugeot way.
Apologies for the long post.