A more butch version of the Renault Lodgy, dubbed the Stepway, has been launched in India. The Stepway variant follows the Renault Lodgy’s regular variants, which were launched a couple of months ago. Priced at 11.99 lakh rupees, ex-showroom Delhi, the Stepway variant of the Lodgy is 60,000 rupees pricier than the top end RxZ 110 PS 8 seat version of the MPV. The 7 seat variant is 30,000 rupees pricier, at 12.29 lakh rupees.
The new variant will aim to infuse a dash of excitement into the Lodgy, seeking to spur sales of the well priced Toyota Innova rival. Renault is marketing the Lodgy Stepway as India’s first crossiover MPV and the reason isn’t hard to see. The new variant adds an element of butchness to the MPV’s design. A new grille, and bumper inserts that look like skid plates are the major changes up front. The rear gains a new bumper insert as well.
The flanks of the MPV get body cladding while the roof gains rails. The door sills gets Stepway badging, completing the new look of the Lodgy. The engine and gearbox remain unchanged in the form of the 1.5 liter K9K turbo diesel motor (108 Bhp-245 Nm) and a 6 speed manual unit. This engine powers the front wheels of the monocoque engined Lodgy, making it the fastest MPV in the country.
Also See – CarToq’s First Drive Review of the Renault Lodgy MPV
On the inside of the MPV’s Stepway variant, there are no changes. The touchscreen infotainment unit seen on the top-end Lodgy variants continue unchanged, and so is the case with the dashboard colour trims. The Lodgy has gotten off to a strong start in the Indian car market, and from the looks of it has snagged some of the Renault Duster’s sales.
Also See – Screw the Innova, Go Buy the Lodgy
While the coming months will give us a clearer picture on how the Lodgy actually fares, the MPV seems set to break Renault out from the one-trick-pony mould. The Lodgy is also available with a less powerful tune for the 1.5 liter K9K Diesel, in cut price variants chiefly aimed at cab operators. Prices of the MPV start from 8.19 lakh rupees. Top-end variants get twin airbags and ABS+EBD. The MPV’s 85 PS is ARAI rated at 21.04 Kmpl, wile the 110 PS variant does 19.98 Kmpl.
