Reference Auto

After bringing in the hatchback Pulse, SUV Duster and the Fluence in the mid-sedan class, Renault is planning presence across most segments and has revved up this time in the entry-level sedan category by launching its Scala.

Renault India’s fifth car in India will come in both petrol and diesel variants and the price for the base model (petrol) will be Rs 6.99 lakh while the top-end petrol RXL will have a price tag of Rs 7.85 lakh. The diesel RXL and RXZ trims have been priced at Rs 8.69 lakh and Rs 9.57 lakh respectively.

The Scala is propelled by the ditto 1.5 litre petrol and K9K diesel engines that are present in the Sunny.

Therefore, performance is the same as the Sunny. 

Having a 99 bhp and 134 Nm torque, the petrol variant will give a feel similar to the Hyundai Verna, Skoda Rapid and Maruti’s SX4.

The Scala’s 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines come with five-speed manual transmission. Renault will have an automatic gearbox later on for the petrol variant.

Both the 100 PS petrol and 86 PS diesel engines have been carried over from the Sunny. The Scala has up to 85 per cent local parts. Interiors and comfort levels are similar to the Nissan Sunny.

There are the leather seats in the diesel RXZ trim model. So far as looks of the Scala go, Renault seems to have done a great job, especially in the front.

Renault and Nissan are sister concerns and their cars are therefore similar. For instance, the Nissan Micra and Renault Pulse are derived from the same concept.

The Scala will have to slug it out in a market where competition is intense but sales volume lower than the hatchback segment. Scala’s competitors would be the Nissan Sunny, Skoda Rapid, Volkswagen Vento, Hyundai Verna and Honda City.

From the side, the Scala is exactly the same as the Sunny except for the new alloys. The rear has minor changes incorporated into it, such as the chrome strip connecting the tail lamps and the blacked out area in the fender.

One of the advantages of any new car is that it comes with the latest engine, which complies with BS IV standards and is usually high on fuel economy.

On the other hand, a new car is usually untested and therefore there are likely to be initial glitches (like faulty gearbox) which every company irons out in the second edition of the car.

Renault cars have a reputation for durability and a Renault Scala owner may find that the vehicle is a zero-maintenance one for at least three to four years. On the other hand, Renault’s presence is very limited in India and parts availability could pose a problem initially.

Renault needs to rev up its presence in the sedan segment with the help of its sister concern Nissan in order to grab a large share of the market for its Scala (as well as in most other categories) but the car has been priced a tad on the higher side.