The Logan is quite a popular car in India and Eastern European countries. Its solid build quality, fuel efficient engines and aggressive price makes sure that it mopes up a lot of sales in the entry sedan market. However, the current Logan is all set to get a revamp very soon. The next generation Logan’s program director Arnaud Deboeuf gave some insights on the next generation Logan to Automarket.ro.
The 2012 Dacia Logan is expected in late 2012. Codenamed X52, the next gen Logan will get a comprehensive makeover. However, Dacia intends to use the same platform of the outgoing Logan. The car is expected to have up market interiors, an aerodynamic design and more features. Dacia is trying very hard to keep the cost of the new Logan same as the old one.
Now that Logan is Verito and the future of the product is looking secure in India, Renault will look forward to selling the next generation model in 2013. Renault’s first priority will be to get the first five models out on time and then move on the others, which may include the new Logan and the Popster MPV.
Now reports are coming from across the sea that the new Logan is close to completion. Codenamed X52, the bigger and richly appointed vehicle will not take on the role of a bare-bones car. It will move up the ladder and offer more for less in a higher segment. The X52 will replace the current Logan next year after more than 1.25 million units reached customers around the world.
Catalin Tischer, manager of Mahle, a component supplier to Renault -
We have new projects with VW and Renault. The future Dacia model (X52) has basically the same engine, with small changes. The engine is more efficient, it has carbon emissions and lower fuel consumption.
Where will Renault India position the next gen Logan?
We brought you an interesting rendering of the 2012 Dacia (Renault Logan) (code – X52) and now here is yet another picture indicating the way the car could look.
We said it earlier and we say it again – the car is heavily inspired by the Renault Fluence, which is expected in India next year. It definitely looks a much better than the present Logan with the swept back headlamps and the neat lines. The rear, though a little boxy manages to look good.
Another thing worth noticing is that the car is much bigger than the present Logan. Dacia is obviously a brand that provides more for less. The size of the car (even from the previous drawing) clearly suggests that it will have phenomenal cabin space. The car is expected to carry much better interiors with better finish in its new avatar.
Knowing for a fact that it is a Dacia and is sure to be a low cost car, India does seem like a sensible market for this car. Stay tuned to IAB for more details on this.
With the current generation Logan sold off to Mahindra in India, Renault could look to bring the next generation car in the coming years. Their product plan is different after the Mahindra-Renault partnership took off in a weird direction. Renault, earlier this year, decided to bring products into India through their own dealer network, and as per reports, only the Koleos, Fluence and Duster is on their agenda at this point. The next-gen Clio could be their first small car for India in 2013, and along with it, Renault might be tempted to slip in the next gen Logan under a different name.
The Logan has tasted massive success. It had a humble beginning. It was called as the “McDonald’s of cars.” It was an inexpensive form of transport designed for the Romanian traders and farmers. It was designed to carry pigs and potatoes as revealed by its designer in an interview few years ago.
The Logan has reached other parts of the world and with the value for money it offers, not many could stay away from it despite its refrigerator looks. In India, the Logan won many hearts after its introduction. It offered more rear seat comfort and boot space than the competition. It was very fuel efficient and was a perfect low-cost sedan for our roads.
Over the last one year, the Logan received a facelift in many countries include Russia and Romania. Prosperous sales figures haven’t stopped Dacia/Renault to develop the next generation Logan (code – X52) scheduled for 2012-13.
The 2012 Logan will not be severely low cost like the current model. Features like LED daytime running lights, swept back headlamps, character lines along the doors, a curvy rear-end, engines re-worked for better fuel economy and fewer emissions are being talked about. The rendering shown here is heavily inspired by the Fluence, which is heading to India next year.
Up to 75% of the next Logan could be designed in Romania
We don’t understand Renault’s strategy in India, and thus cannot connect this story to our country.
Dacia, the low-cost car maker from Romania known for manufacturing the Logan (sold as Renault in countries like India) will replace the Logan range (Logan, Sandero hatch, MCV station wagon, pick-up) very soon with new set of vehicles.
With its cost-conscious attire, Logan was introduced 2004 in select European countries. Seeing numbers and positive reaction generated, it was then decided to manufacture the low-cost vehicle in other parts of the world including India. The Logan borrows a large chunk of components from Renault cars. Flat doors, symmetrical mirrors and low electronics content was intentional to send it through to outlets at rock-bottom price tags.
Dacia vice-president Constantin Stroe -
Logan is to stay for a few years, but it is going to be replaced by another range. A new family of cars will follow the Logan. All the people talk about Logan. Nice, but Logan has a short life. Dacia is perennial, Logan is changeable. Something else will follow the Logan, because its lifespan comes to an end in a few years time.
The Logan was never intended to be sold in India even though Dacia’s engineering team deriving inspiration from the Tata Indigo.
