2015 Renault Lodgy MPV – Features & Specifications Revealed

The Renault Lodgy is weeks away from launch, even as the MPV’s first drive involving multiple media outlets has just concluded in India’s IT capital, Bangalore. In India, the MPV will be launched with diesel power-only, even as the Euro-spec versions offer two petrol options – 1.6 liter naturally aspirated and 1.2 liter TCe turbocharged petrol units. The 1.5 liter K9K turbo diesel motor, a standard fixture on scores of Renault and Nissan badged cars sold in India, is the engine of choice on the MPV sold in India. This engine will feature two states of tune, one with a fixed geometry turbocharger (FGT) and the other with a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT). Both engines will drive the front wheels of the MPV.

The FGT equipped K9K mill makes 84 Bhp-200 Nm, while the same engine equipped with the VGT outputs 108 Bhp-245 Nm. Both engines use manual transmissions. The FGT K9K diesel makes do with a 5 speed unit while the VGT equipped model gets a 6 speed manual transmission. Fuel efficiency is a strong point of the Lodgy, which is much larger than the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and the Honda Mobilio. Why, the Lodgy’s dimensions of a 4,498 mm length, a 1,751 mm width, a 1,697 mm height and a 2,810 mm wheelbase make it only slightly smaller than even the Toyota Innova, a best selling MPV in the country.

The monocoque bodied Lodgy weighs 1,368 kilograms, which makes it lighter than the Innova but heavier than the Ertiga. The MPV will sold with two seating options, with 7 and 8 seat layouts. In terms of fuel efficiency, the 1.5 K9K, 84 Bhp engined variant delivers 21.04 Kmpl, while the higher powered variant scores 19.98 Kmpl. Both figures are highly impressive given the fact that the segment leading Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Diesel, which is much smaller and lighter than the Lodgy, manages 20.77 Kmpl. This speaks volumes about how fuel efficient the old school diesel engine of the Lodgy is. The engine uses a 8 valve, SOHC head. At the time of launch,the Stepway variant of the MPV will not be introduced.

In terms of features, here’s what the Lodgy brings to the table,

• Monocoque body with 7 and 8 seat layouts
• Independent front suspension with a torsion beam set up at the rear
• Cruise control with a speed limiter
• ABS+EBD
• Twin Airbags
• Reverse Parking Sensors + Reverse Camera
• Dual zone air conditioning for the front and rear rows
• Leather wrapped seats
• USB and Bluetooth equipped Media NAV infotainment unit with entertainment, navigation and communication functions