Renault India to enter into MPV segment with Lodgy; Test Mule spied!

Renault Lodgy MPV was spied testing for the first time in the country, seems like the French automaker is ready to take on the MPV segment with cars like Innova, Ertiga and the upcoming Mobilio. We told you earlier that Renault is coming up with a Duster facelift and two new cars – sub-4 lakh hatchback and an MPV. Speaking to it, Lodgy is based on the Duster platform and will share bits and pieces with compact SUV.

The Lodgy features similar dashboard that will be in the Duster facelift (launching this September); the dash is a slightly tweaked one found in the current Duster. The new dials are more refined and looks premium with chrome outlining, while the central console feature a touchscreen infotainment system- 'Media Nav'. The system sports a seven-inch touch screen that offers auxiliary inputs along with Bluetooth phone integration and satellite navigation.

Mechanically, Lodgy is likely to receive the Duster's powertrain, the K9K turbo diesel and the 1.6 liter petrol. Duster in India offers K9K turbo diesel in 85PS (84bhp) and 110PS (108bhp) form. As the Lodgy is a three-row-seating vehicle the 110PS makes more sense, globally it is available with the 110PS version only. The 85PS version incorporates fixed geometry turbo charging with inter-cooler gathers 84bhp and 200Nm. The 110PS version gets the snappier variable geometry turbo charging with inter-cooler delivering 108bhp and 248Nm of maximum torque.

We all know diesel accounts for nearly 90 percent of the sales in most of the segments in our country. The 110 PS diesel version will give an edge to the Lodgy over its rivals as the most powerful MPV in the segment is the Innova with 100.6bhp and 200Nm of torque. Lodgy also looks bigger in appearance, it measure 4.5m in length similar to that of Innova and bigger than the Mobilio and the Ertiga. Its seems like Lodgy will repeat Duster's success in India with its sheer size, practicality and powerful & frugal engines.

Image Source: IAB Indian autos blog