Fluence 2009 2013 Diesel E2 Review
Renault India was established in 2005 and since then it has been subjected to criticism and against tough competition in the country which is already dominated by automobile giants such as Maruti Suzuki, Tata and Toyota. But unlike other foreign companies, Renault took a bold step and decided to launch the Renault Fluence Diesel E2 which is completely assembled and manufactured in India only. To start of this is the basic model of the Fluence series. On first look, one will surely notice the embedded logo and slot type grille. The car has a distinctive character and looks different when compared to other sedans. This diesel engine surely packs up a lot of power as well as performance. This compact and executive car comes loaded with many comforts and convenience inside the car. It is a complete car whose styling and features have been implemented well.
Exteriors
The Renault Fluence Diesel E2 comes in exactly 4 colors namely Glacier White, Pearl Black, Ash Beige and Platinum Grey. Each and every shade is unique and stands out in its own way. It has got a good wheel base of 2703mm and the overall width, length and height are 1813mm X 4618mm X 1488mm respectively. The bumpers look good as they are body colored and the silver finished door handles gives good vibe. Some other exterior features include adjustable headlights, central rear stop lamp, front and rear fog lights etc. One standout feature of this car is the electric defrosting of rear glass for optimal visibility. The outside rear view mirrors which can be electrically adjusted do have the turn indicators for stylish looks and safety also. The power antenna is located on the back of car which also looks good. Some other exterior features include 2 speed front wipers, turn signal lamp, tubeless tyres which have alloy wheels, tinted glass, a temperature sensor etc.
Interiors
The interiors of Renault Fluence Diesel E2 are amongst the largest in terms of saloon car. The premium fabric upholstery provides both hygiene and comfort. The front seats for driver and passenger have excellent support while the rear ones have the comfort of AC vents and central armrest. Cup holders, tachometer, digital odometer, cigarette lighter, digital clock and other small things can make a lot of difference for the car. The dashboard has a good soft touch and glove box is illuminated which is a good feature. The driver seat doesn’t have a lumbar support but comes with a height adjustment. The dual tone interiors are cool and refreshing and also the door has been trim fabric. The car also has both front as well as rear head restraint and has a very powerful CD mp3 player system too. Also the inside rear view mirror have been anti glared.
Engine and Performance
Renault Fluence Diesel E2 has a 1.5L direct injection diesel engine which has 1461cc as engine displacement . There are 4 cylinders attached which are in line. It is a front wheel drive. The engine doesn’t compromise with the power and performance of the car, many thanks to the latest and innovative technology used in designing and making this engine. The maximum power output comes out to be exactly 108.46bhp at the rate of 4600rpm and the maximum torque that can be generated is 240Nm at the rate of 2000rpm. The transmission is manual but packs in 6 forward and 1 reverse gear, so a total of 7 gears. With the fuel efficiency of 20.4kmpl, this car is not about the power only it also has a very good fuel economy.
Braking and Handling
The front and rear suspension are loaded with many new and unique things. The front suspension has a type of Mac Pherson with coil spring and stabilizer bar and also the double way acting shock absorber. The rear suspension has a trailing arm with coil spring and similar double way acing shock absorber. The front brake is a ventilated disc brake while the rear brake is a simple disc brake. Plus the wheel rim size is 6.5 X J16 which are alloy made and the tyre size is 205/60 R16 tyres which are tubeless as well as radial . And the tyres provide a minimum ground clearance of 170mm.
Safety features
The Renault Fluence Diesel E2 has taken much safety as well security precautions for the passengers and for the car itself also. Features such as Aspherical driver side outside rear view mirror, ABS( Anti Braking System ) along with EBD ( Electronic Brake distribution), brake assist, rust warranty etc comes quite handy. Also there are two SRS airbags for the driver and front seat passenger. The ASR or the Anti Slip Regulation is a secondary ABS system is also there. The safety belts come with a force limiter and pre tensioners too. To protect the engine and the transmission system, certain guards have been used. For the protection of small children, there are child safety locks and an option for ISOFIX also. The Electronic Stability programme also comes handy sometimes. Other safety features include central locking, anti theft alarm, day and night rear view mirror, keyless entry , seat belt and engine check warning etc. The addition of front and side beams and the centrally mounted fuel tank
Comfort features
There are numerous comfort features as well as the entertainment options in the Renault Fluence Diesel E2. The CD player comes with a radio which has a USB and AUX in cable output. Plus the display information is centrally located. And also has some controls on the steering wheel. But the lack of Bluetooth and other connectivity options might leave you disappointed. But there are many features such as pollen filter, rear AC vents at foot level, smat access entry card, engine start stop button , remote lighting etc which are very good. Also the semi automatic climate control works very well and with great efficiency without taking a lot of power. The steering wheel supports both tilt as well as telescopic steering. There is a feature called “Follow me Home” where the headlights stay illuminated for a set period of time. And the outside rear view mirror is electrically adjustable and also has temperature sensor in them.
Pros
·Comfort features.
·Safety features.
Cons
·Very limited dealer and service network.
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