The Renault Pulse hatchback has just received a mild update to its interior, which is now inspired by the Nissan Micra Facelift. These changes are reflected on the Pulse’s official webpage. The exteriors of the Pulse don’t see any changes. The Pulse is a B+ Segment hatchback, which is a badge engineered version of the Nissan Micra.
Apart from stylistic changes, the Pulse is essentially a Micra in a different set of clothes. With the latest update, Renault has given the Pulse’s interiors that come with a dashboard featuring rectangular air conditioning vents, a piano black finish for the center console and a 2-DIN stereo with USB and Bluetooth functions.
Apart from these minor changes on the interiors, the Pulse continues to be offered with 1.2 liter-3 cylinder petrol (74 Bhp-104 Nm) and 1.5 liter K9K turbo diesel (64 Bhp-160 Nm) engine options. Both engines get 5 speed manual gearboxes.
Although the Nissan Micra Facelift’s petrol version is offered with a CVT automatic gearbox option, such an option isn’t made available on the Pulse. The non-availability of the CVT Automatic gearbox on the Pulse Petrol has to do with the positioning of the hatchback.
Since the Renault Pulse is a rebadged and restyled Nissan Micra, it is in the best interest of the Micra for the Pulse to retain a sense of differentiation, in terms of looks, features offered and pricing. This differentiation is essential to avoid cannibalization of sales.
The Pulse gets twin airbags and ABS+EBD on the top end petrol and diesel variants. The Pulse in RxE Petrol guise starts at 4.41 lakh rupees while the hatchback in RxL Diesel guise is priced at 6.1 lakh rupees, with both prices reflecting ex-showroom Delhi figures.
In terms of pricing, the Pulse is priced above the Micra, and the extra money is something that the Indian car buyer is clearly unwilling to part with, for a car that isn’t very different from the Micra. The steep pricing is a major factor for the slow sales of the Pulse, which is among the lowest selling B+ segment hatchbacks in India.
Via Motorbeam
