This morning finally puts an end to so many months of spyshots and teasers – the Renault Fluence has officially entered the Malaysian scene. The C-segment sedan is locally assembled (CKD) in Tan Chong Motor Assemblies’ Segambut plant, and to that effect, a manufacturing agreement was signed today between Renault and local distributor TC Euro Cars.
The Renault Fluence comes in a sole 2.0 16v 140 X-Tronic variant. It gets a 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine that produces 143 hp at 6,000 rpm and 195 Nm of torque at 3,700 rpm, and an X-Tronic CVT with oil cooler – the previous-gen (G11) Nissan Sylphy had a similiar drivetrain, albeit with different numbers (131 hp at 5,200 rpm and 191 Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm) and tuning.
The century sprint is dealt with in a little above 10 seconds, and top speed is 195 km/h. Combined fuel economy is a claimed 7.7 litres per 100 km on the European cycle.
Based on Renault-Nissan’s C platform (which also underpins Renaults Megane and Koleos), our Fluence is the facelifted model (a different Euro-market facelift debuted in Istanbul in 2012, with Renault’s current ‘big diamond’ corporate face). The projector headlamps have black surrounds, and the wheels are 17-inch alloys covered in 205/55 series tyres.
Length, width, height and wheelbase are 4,618, 1,813, 1,485 and 2,702 mm respectively. MacPherson struts sit up front while a torsion beam sits out back, and there are disc brakes on all wheels.
It’s worth noting that despite using a similiar engine and gearbox as the previous generation Sylphy, the Fluence is not an old Sylphy with different body panels. The previous generation Sylphy was built on a stretched Renault-Nissan B segment platform (also used for cars like the Nissan Latio) so despite having a C segment car’s length and wheelbase, you can’t run away from B segment roots so the result is a car that is narrow. The Fluence on the other hand is built on a C segment platform from the ground up.
The kit list is pretty extensive – you get auto headlamps and wipers, leather seats, dual-zone auto air-con, rear air vents, keyless entry and start (Renault hands-free card) and cruise control. The back seats are split 60:40 and there’s a fold-down armrest with two cupholders.
A seven-inch touch-screen incorporates Renault R-Link, navigation, voice recognition, Bluetooth, MP3, CD, USB and reverse camera display, while sound is played through a six-speaker Arkamys 3D sound system. The security guards are six airbags, ESP, ASR and rear-seat Isofix.
The Renault Fluence goes for RM115,000, OTR without insurance. Included is a standard five-year warranty with unlimited mileage, and standard two years’/40,000 km free service, but for a limited time you’ll get a five year/100,000km free service package as part of a promotional offer. Furthermore, if your car has to undergo maintenance in the workshop for more than 48 hours, you get a courtesy car.
Available colours are Ultra Silver, Black Metallic, Mars Grey and White Pearl. We’ve already entered the Renault Fluence into CarBase.my – check out full specifications and equipment, or see how it compares to its closest segment rivals.
