Renault Fluence gets some styling updates and more kit. But is that good enough to boost the car's low demand in a flagging segment?
There is no change under the skin and the Renault Fluence facelift retains the 1.5-litre diesel motor that comes mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. Essentially, the Fluence maintains the traits of the earlier car. There's not much power below 1900rpm, and that initial turbo lag is still ever present, this will make driving in stop-go traffic a bit cumbersome. Plus, the slightly heavy clutch adds to this. The new Fluence though retains its great ride and handling combination. The ride is very absorbent and the suspension does a good job of soaking up the rough stuff, however, there's more up and down movement than say in cars like the Jetta and Octavia. There is good power in the mid-range and ample muscle for relaxed cruising on the highway as well. The steering though feels precise and weighs up nicely at speed. The Fluence always feels sure-footed and body control is good too. It does roll in bends but never excessively so.
Overall, the Fluence is still quite a capable car and now, looks much more appealing. And with Renault expanding its network, it's a much safer bet. The Renault Fluence facelift is available in two trims, the E2 and E4, which are priced at Rs 13.99 lakh and Rs 15.49 lakh, respectively (all prices, ex-showroom, Delhi).