The mighty Toyota Innova still rules the roost in the Indian MPV segment. At the Auto Expo 2012, Toyota presented a facelifted version of the Innova to further extend the lead. However, other automakers such as Nissan, Ashok Leyland and GM India have turned their attention to this segment so competition is bound to heat up soon. A unique contender might join the fray to fight the Innova.
As Renault is getting ready to launch the Duster in India, Dacia (the actual maker of Duster) was busy working on an MPV named Lodgy. Ahead of its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, Dacia has released two preview photos of their upcoming Lodgy MPV.
The Lodgy is a 4500mm long MPV that will available in 7 and 5 seater combination. The Lodgy is expected to be powered by a 1.6-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines. Dacia promises that the Lodgy will be very spacious with plenty of room even for passengers sitting in the third-row seats.
The Lodgy is a price sensitive MPV and is a typical Dacia. It works on inexpensive parts shared across the Renault-Nissan group.
If Duster is meant for families who need an SUV, the Lodgy can be Renault’s people mover in India. So do you think the Lodgy is a perfect rival for the Innova?
Last year, Renault unveiled a Koleos Bose edition in Europe based on the old Koleos which proved very popular. The sales of the Bose edition model accounted for 30% of the total models sales making it a huge success story.
Learning from its success, Renault just unveiled a 2012 Bose Edition Koleos in Europe. For a sticker price of €29,400, you get
- Faux aluminum mirrors
- Tinted rear windows
- Unique 17-inch alloy wheels
- Special seat upholstery
- Black lacquer trim
- Aluminum sill plates
- And the cherry on the cake – Bose® Sound System with seven loudspeakers and woofer, CD player with MP3 playback(- Plug&Music digital connectivity (USB + jack)
I feel the Koleos is overpriced in India. In such a scenario, the only people who are buying the Koleos are people who like the product so much that they are willing to shell out the extra dough.
In such a scenario, the 2012 Bose Edition Koleos makes perfect sense for India because for a slightly higher price, one is getting so many goodies. Don’t you think so?
Renault India showcased a number of cars at their pavilion yesterday. But the big day has arrived. Renault India has finally taken the wraps of their mass market products – Duster and Pulse.
The Pulse is a Renault’s version of Nissan Micra with slight changes to the front and the rear fascia. But the Duster – now that’s we are talking about!
There were no details shared on the car’s positioning or price, but the launch is expected to take place in mid-2012. Renault launched the Pulse in two variants with the 1.5L diesel engine – mid-variant RXL at 5.77 lakhs and top-end RXZ at 6.25 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi).
click through for the images
Renault may not have had the best of the year with an haywire pricing strategy and limited dealerships. However, the company wants to show its commitments to the Indian market at the 2012 Auto Expo. The company plans to showcase the much anticipated Renault Duster – a compact SUV to take on the likes of the Ford EcoSport.
The Duster promises to be the sub 10 lakh SUV that India always wanted. The 1.6 liter petrol variant produces 105BHP. The other two are 1.5 liter capacity diesel engines producing 90BHP and 107BHP. The five passenger model will be available from mid 2012.
Renault India has confirmed the showcasing of the mini SUV Duster at the Delhi Auto Expo on January 6. The Renault version of the Dacia Duster sports a revised center console, new alloy wheels, and a dash of chrome on its front-end.
Renault announced its plans to sell the 4×2 and 4×4 versions of the mini SUV in India in 2012 during an event in Delhi to handover keys to Fluence’s first fourteen customers. Renault officials had then stated two Dusters could be bought for the price of a Volkswagen Tiguan. The model reaching Auto Expo/India was premiered at the Buenos Aires Expo back in June.
The difference between the Koleos and the Duster is the latter will be localized heavily for a much lower price point. Renault will manufacture only RHD models at its Chennai plant and export it to the UK.
The other attraction will be the launch of the Pulse hatchback.
As the countdown to Auto Expo starts ticking days away, juicy test mules get snapped doing their final testing round. Thanks to our pals at MotorBeam.com, we finally get to see the first images of Duster undergoing tests rounds in Chennai, India. The Duster is a hotly anticipated SUV for the Indian market but was rarely caught on camera.
Renault India is betting big on the success of the Duster because its first two products Fluence and Koleos did not manage to bring significant numbers. The Duster, on the other hand, was an SUV developed for the developing Eastern European countries making it is a perfect product for similarly characterized Indian market.
Read everything about the new Renault Duster for the Indian market
The Renault Duster will be available with the 1.5-liter dCI motor in India capable of delivering a magnificent ARAI fuel economy of 20+ kmpl as it does on the Micra and Sunny. It is expected to deliver a healthy 85bhp of power.
However, don’t think that the Duster will have the entire market to its own. Ford is also prepping up the EcoSport SUV to battle it out against the Duster. Just yesterday, Maruti Suzuki gave us a glimpse of their future SUV plan. A range of MUVs and MPVs from various auto companies will also compete for a share of the same pie.
What pricing strategy should Renault India follow for the Duster?
Renault India will launch the Pulse, the identical twin of Nissan Micra, in the morning hours of the 6th of January at its exhibition stall in the Delhi Auto Expo. The Pulse is a Micra with a different front donning the Renault diamond. Dealers in several parts of India are accepting bookings for this B+ segment contender. Demo cars will reach them during this week.
See a comprehensive image gallery of the Renault Pulse
Like the Micra, the Pulse will be sold in petrol (1.2L) and diesel (1.5L) variants. Similarly equipped each variant supposedly sets back customers by an extra 30-40k rupees.
Renault will reveal prices on the morning of the 6th, and IAB will bring you the entire story. Stay tuned!
Russian website ZR’s image department has taken up the upcoming Renault Logan as their next project, expected to break cover in late 2012. Codenamed X57, the next gen Logan, according to media reports, has been put through a comprehensive makeover.
Two versions are presented by ZR, one showing the Renault version and the other depicting the original from Dacia. Shedding its low cost attire the Logan wears a more expensive suit and a sophisticated look inspired by its distant cousin Fluence. The well groomed Logan is said to have moved up a segment featuring a cozier cabin, bigger boot, more gadgets and lower NVH.
