Renault Scala

The new Renault Scala is basically the Nissan Sunny. It's a case of badge-engineering, just like the Pulse and Micra. And, like the Pulse, the Scala looks a lot more appealing than the Sunny thanks to the large, aggressive grille, stylish headlights and new alloy wheels. The rear bumper features a blacked-out section that mimics a diffuser, which helps reduce the car's visual bulk. When viewed in profile, the Scala is exactly the same as the Sunny, save for the attractive new alloys. Overall though, the Scala looks much more balanced and proportioned than its cousin from Nissan.

Engine options for the Scala are the 1.5-litre dCi motor and the 1.5-litre petrol. We drove the diesel model which produces a decent 84.8bhp and 20.4kgm of torque. On urban roads, it is quite good to drive. Half-throttle responses are good and once past the initial turbo-lag, the engine feels quite responsive. It's only when going uphill with a full load that the throttle lag becomes apparent and the Scala struggles to gather decent pace. The car feels best in the mid-range and you have adequate passing power on tap. However, on an open highway you will feel a slight shortage of power and find yourself constantly shifting gears to keep the motor on the boil. And, with power tapering off as early as 3800rpm, it's best to use the gears and keep the engine in the mid-range.

Duster vs Scorpio

duster-vs-scorpio for more details go to autocarindia.com

What They Have Got !

Hyundai

 

Hyundai showcased its MPV concept, the Hexa Space (code-named HND-7), at the Expo. This 4.3-metre car is built on a 2750mm wheelbase and propulsion comes from a 1200cc turbocharged Kappa petrol motor. Hyundai also revealed the latest-gen Sonata executive saloon at the Expo. It is powered by a 198bhp, 2.4-litre petrol engine with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions. The Korean carmaker also showcased its new Elantra, which will take on the likes of the Honda Civic, Skoda Laura and Volkswagen Jetta, as well as the funky Veloster 2+2 coupe.

 

 

Jaguar Land Rover

 

Tata-owned JLR displayed a slew of its cars and concepts at the expo. Production cars included the face-lifted XF, the XJ and Jaguar’s most powerful production car yet, the wild 542bhp XKR-S. However, the pair of Jaguar concept cars, the C-X75 and the C-X16, was what made heads turn at the stall. Land Rover showed two DC-100 concept SUVs, one of which came with a stunning white roof that contrasted with the bright red lower half of the car, while the other had no roof at all.

 

 

Mahindra

 

The Auto Expo served as the launchpad for the Ssangyong brand in India. Taking centre-stand on the expansive Mahindra stand, the Ssangyong display included the soon-to-be-launched Rexton SUV, the stylish XIV-1 Concept, Actyon Sports dual-cab pick-up and a full-electric version of the Korando. Brand Mahindra had the two Reva electric cars on display, an electric Verito and of course, one of this year’s big stars, the XUV500.

 

 

Maruti

 

Maruti unveiled the XA Alpha compact SUV concept at the Auto Expo. A car that could be built on the new Swift platform, the Alpha looks every bit the compact SUV and with overall length at 4000mm, it is eligible for the lower rate of excise duty for small cars. Maruti will be offering the mini-SUV with its range of K-Series petrol engines and the 1.3-litre DDIS diesel engine. The eagerly anticipated Innova fighter, the Ertiga, is also on display. This seven-seater is also the launchpad for Maruti’s latest K-series petrol engine, the 1.4-litre K14.

 

 

Mercedes-Benz

 

Mercedes-Benz displayed a combination of concept, road and racing cars at the Auto Expo. Among the production models on display were the SLS AMG roadster supercar, the new, third-generation M-class and a customised S600 Pullman Guard armoured limousine. The star of the show however was the concept A-class - a hatchback that previews Merc’s forthcoming design direction for its family of MFA transverse-engined front-wheel drive cars. However, the first car off this platform to be launched in India will be the all-new B-class mini-MPV.

 

 

Nissan

 

Nissan unveiled the seven-seater Evalia MPV at the Auto Expo. Built on Nissan’s B-platform, this is the car we previously knew as the NV200. Powering the Evalia will be the 1.5-litre dCi turbo-diesel engine from the Sunny diesel. Production will start in the second half of 2012. Nissan is also showcasing its pioneering electric car, the Leaf and its powerful supercar the GT-R at the Auto Expo.

  

Renault

 

Renault unveiled the Duster midsize crossover at the Expo. It shares its platform with the Logan, so as you can imagine it’s not an all-out off-roader and will in fact be sold only with two-wheel drive in India. Renault has also launched its Micra-based hatch, the Pulse, at the Auto Expo.

 

 

Royal Enfield

 

Royal Enfield has launched its eagerly anticipated Thunderbird 500 at the 2012 Auto Expo in Delhi. The company is targeting touring enthusiasts with this cruiser. The bike gets distinctive ‘black’ styling and it is powered by a 500cc Unit Construction Engine (UCE) that makes 27.2bhp. Apart from the bikes on display, the Enfield stall includes biker apparel and riding accessories as well.

 

 

Skoda

 

Although no new models or variants were launched, the Fabia Monte Carlo and the RS 2000 concept did garner a lot of attention. The Monte Carlo Fabia is a tribute to 100 years of the Monte Carlo rally and 110 years of Skoda in motorsport. The company’s recent success in the S2000 rally series prompted Skoda to make a celebratory concept car, the RS 2000. Also on display at the Skoda stand are the company’s new Rapid saloon and Laura RS.

  by autocar

Renault launches Pulse at Rs 5.77 lakh

Renault has launched the Pulse hatchback at the Auto Expo. This car is a mildly altered version of Nissan’s rather clever Micra.
Under the skin, the two are basically the same. They share the same lightweight V-platform chassis, the same basic suspension and the same gearbox, but unlike the Micra, the Pulse comes with only a 1.5-litre diesel engine that churns out 63bhp and 16.3kgm torque.
What Renault has altered however are the looks. While the basic architecture of the car - with its large arched roof and big cabin - remains, Renault has changed the nose dramatically. The front end is now much sharper-looking, with its raised, crisply styled lights, almost Hyundai-like hexagonal grille and a typical Renault matt-black centre section. The car has a much stronger chin than the Micra, the rear has been mildly altered and Renault says there could be an even sportier version of the car on the cards too. The interiors of the Pulse however are almost identical to those of the Micra, right down to colours and shades.
The Pulse gets an ARAI-certified fuel efficiency figure of 23.08kpl. Two trim levels are on offer, both feature automatic start-stop and a driver airbag as standard equipment. Also on offer is a unique 2+2 year 80,000km warranty. The base RXL is priced at Rs 5.77 lakh and it comes with a manual A/C and steel wheels. The top-end RXZ is priced at Rs 6.25 lakh and it comes loaded with alloy wheels, automatic climate control, fog lamps and a leather-wrapped shifter.
The Pulse will be built at Renault-Nissan’s Chennai plant alongside the Micra.
Pulse Prices:  (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Diesel Variant only
Pulse RXL: Rs 5.77 lakh
Pulse RXZ Rs 6.25 lakh
Nissan Micra prices (Diesel) (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Micra Base: Rs Rs 5.73 lakh
Micra XV: Rs 6.17 lakh
by autocar

Renault Pulse review

Renault’s entry into India has been challenging to say the least. Its first offering, the Logan, was a rebadged version of Romanian brand Dacia’s low-cost saloon. It struggled here, and caused Indians to associate Renault with ‘budget’. The fact is the French brand has good equity in Europe, with a vast motorsport and road-car history that spans more than a century.
 The Pulse is powered by the familiar Renault-Nissan 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines, the latter of which we’re testing here. It produces a modest 63bhp and 16.3kgm and on urban roads, is immediately impressive. Initial engine response is good and there’s very little turbo lag. Half-throttle responses are also good and the Pulse ambles along at low speeds rather well. Mid-range performance is healthy and you have adequate passing power on tap. It’s only on the highway that you feel the lack of power and you have to constantly shift gears to keep the motor on the boil. With power tapering off as early as 3800rpm, you have a very small powerband to play with and the Pulse’s performance is a far cry from the likes of the Swift. Our timing equipment confirms this — the car takes a leisurely 16.2 seconds to reach 100kph. The motor is quite refined though; it settles into quiet idle and only sounds gruff when worked hard.

Fact File

Price Range (in lakhs)*

Ex-showroom price

Rs 6.17 lakh (est. ex-shorrom, Delhi)

Engine

Fuel	Diesel
Installation	Front, Transverse
Power	63bhp at 4000rpm
Torque	16.3 kgm at 4000rpm

Transmission

Gearbox

5-speed manual

Dimensions

Length	3805mm
Width	1665mm
Height	1525mm
Wheel base	2450mm

Chassis & Body

Weight

1070kg

Performance

0-20	1.56sec
0-40	3.77sec
0-60	6.35sec
0-80	10.43sec
0-100	16.20sec
0-120	25.17sec

Economy

Tank size

41 litres

Renault Frendz

Straight off it’s worth bearing with the proliferation of touchy-feely buzzwords above. It’s easy to become jaded by inverted commas used when describing concept cars, English words often seemingly scattered at random as on a Japanese schoolgirl’s pencil case. But with the Frendzy, Renault has created a genuinely emotive product out of what is, essentially, a van with extra seats.
There is indeed warmth in the pale green and matte grey bodywork, while synthetic materials are used to recreate organic-feeling interior panels such as plastic floor and seat-back mouldings that genuinely look and feel like weathered hardwood, and faux leather interwoven with metal strands to hatch patchwork seat cushions.
 Price: na; Top speed: 81mph; 0-62mph: na; Range: 100 miles; Charging time: 6-8 hours; CO2: zero at tailpipe; Kerb weight: 1420kg; Engine: electric motor; Power: 59bhp; Torque: 167lb ft; Gearbox: direct drive, with reverse