Snapshot: Renault India has lined up a slew of products to be showcased at the Indian Auto Expo. Apart from its existing range of cars, Renault plans to premiere a global concept at the motor show. While the concept is unnamed for now, other Renault showcases at the Expo will include upgraded and facelifted variants of its current range of cars sold in India.
Global Premiere of a Concept Car
Although Renault hasn’t put a name to this car, the “global premiere” implies that the concept car is likely to be India specific. Our guess would be the Renault A-Entry, an entry level hatchback that will share the CMF-A platform with the Datsun i2, another small car. Interestingly, the CMF platform is Renault-Nissan’s answer to the Volkswagen group’s MQB platform. The first product based on the CMF platform is the 2014 Nissan X-Trail. In that light, the Datsun i2 and the Renault A-Entry small cars could have the distinction of being the second and third products to be underpinned by the CMF platform.
Facelifted Renault Fluence
The Renault Fluence will get a mid life makeover with a cosmetic facelift that will touch upon the car’s exterior and interiors. The car could also gain a new 1.6 liter turbo diesel engine, although this possibility is remote given the fact that the French car maker assembles the 1.5 liter K9K motor in India. The K9K diesel is used by a range of Renault and Nissan cars, making local assembly feasible and worthwhile. With only the Renault Fluence using the new 1.6 liter turbo diesel engine, assembling this motor here might not make much economic sense for the French automaker. Click here to know more about the facelifted Fluence.
Facelifted Renault Duster
Amid rising competition in the compact SUV segment and a dull car market in India, the Duster needs its share of shoring up apart from the ongoing discounts that Renault dealers have been doling out. So, a facelift is in order. Click here to read more about the facelifted Duster that has already been unveiled internationally. The facelifted version of the top selling Renault in India will be launched here later this year.
Upgraded Renault Koleos Crossover
While the Duster and the Fluence will largely remain mechanically unchanged, the facelifted Koleos will get a very mild facelift, mild enough for only the trained eye can spot the changes. The Koleos will see plenty of action under the hood though, as a more powerful 2 liter turbo diesel motor will be plonked into this crossover’s engine bay. Click here to read about what the facelifted Koleos will bring to the table.
Limited Edition version of the Pulse/Scala
With Nissan facelifting the Micra hatchback and lining up a mid-life facelift for the Sunny sedan, the ball is now in Renault’s court. The Renault Pulse is a rebadged Micra and the Scala, a rebadged Sunny. Therefore, Renault will be looking to add some appeal to at least one of these two cars through a special edition version. Expect additional equipment and cosmetic bits and bobs to be added to the “Limited Edition” version of either the Scala or the Pulse.
So there, after the Auto Expo 2014, Renault India’s car portfolio will be completely refreshed, giving the French automaker enough ammunition to see it through what appears to be a tough marketplace all through the rest of the year.
