The Renault Lodgy MPV is arguably the next big launch for the French car maker in India. While the Renault Duster did a brilliant job to put the company on the Indian car buyer's radar, the Lodgy MPV, which is also a rebadged Dacia and is based on its platform, is touted to shift Renault India into a higher gear as far as market share is concerned.
IAB readers Mr. Santhosh and Mr. Sivakumar have spotted this fully camouflaged test mule of the Renault Lodgy venturing out on the roads of Chennai late in the evening. The overall profile, the shape of the front window, and the high-set taillights are unmistakable giveaways.
The Renault badged Lodgy was first unveiled for the Ukrainian market last year but like the Duster, the India-spec Renault Lodgy's front fascia could be 'Indianized' (read more chrome on the front grille) by the company's Mumbai design studio.
Earlier media reports suggested that the Lodgy will enter production at Renault-Nissan Alliance's Oragadam plant early next year and the emergence of this test prototype is consistent with the time frame. Renault India have confirmed that the Lodgy and the INR sub-4 lakh hatchback are in the 2015 product plan.
The Renault Lodgy would borrow its powertrain options from its sibling, the Duster. While it remains to be seen whether the Lodgy will be offered with a petrol engine, the venerable 1.5-litre K9K diesel - in its 83.3 bhp (85 PS) and 107.8 bhp (110 PS) tunes with 5- and 6-speed manual gearboxes respectively - is a certainty.
Competitors: Maruti Ertiga, Honda Mobilio, Toyota Innova, Chevrolet Enjoy
Expected Price: INR 7 - 10 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi
