Renault Fluence 2014 Malaysia

  • DRIVEN: Renault Fluence 2.0 X-Tronic CKD tested

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    This is the Renault Fluence 2.0, the latest C-segment sedan to be launched in Malaysia. It made its debut in May this year after a few months of sighting lightly taped-up Fluence test units in the country.

    We got to see disguised test units running about because Renault distributor TC Euro Cars went and immediately started local assembly of the model – this has resulted in the car rolling in with an attractive price tag of RM115,000 (on-the-road, without insurance).

    What’s it like? Find out after the jump.

     
     
  • Renault Fluence 2.0 unveiled in Malaysia – RM115k

    Renault Fluence Malaysia launch- 10

    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.

    Renault Fluence Malaysia launch- 24

    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.

    Renault Fluence Malaysia launch- 12

    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.

     
     
  • Renault Fluence confirmed to be launched on May 22

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    No, it’s definitely not long now – after posting numerous teasers, Renault Malaysia has finally dropped the launch date of the Renault Fluence on its Facebook page, set for May 22.

    The new teaser that came with the announcement also confirms something we’ve known for some time, thanks to some spyshots we’ve received – that we will be getting the first facelifted model, rather than the latest one that features the current Renault family face first seen on the new Clio. Previous teasers also hinted at the local specification which will include six airbags and cruise control.

    As previously reported, the Renault Fluence is expected to be locally assembled at the Tan Chong Motor Assemblies factory in Segambut, which also builds cars for Nissan, Subaru and Mitsubishi. We suspect that a 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine mated to a CVT is hiding under that bonnet, likely the same powertrain used in the previous-generation G11 Nissan Sylphy.

     
     
  • Renault Fluence spotted on test in Genting Highlands

    The Renault Fluence has been sighted on test again in Malaysia, this time in Genting Highlands by two readers Apex Kit and Peter Lee. The last time we saw the Fluence on test, it was in Mont Kiara.

    Sources reveal that the Fluence will be CKD assembled by Tan Chong’s TCMA assembly business, which also does Nissan, Subaru and Mitsubishi local assembly in Malaysia. Given the C-segment landscape in Malaysia, we’re expecting a four-cylinder 2.0 litre engine mated to a CVT gearbox, a similiar combo to that found in the Nissan Sylphy.

    Our previous spyshots only showed the back end of the car, but since today we have a view of the front end, we now know which version of the Fluence we’ll be getting. The Fluence has been available with four different ‘faces’ so far. Above you’ll see the three ‘faces’ of the Fluence.

    The top image which looks similiar to the one on test here is the first facelift that the Fluence received, while the bottom right car is the latest facelift. The bottom left car is the original look that the Fluence had. Finally, there’s the electric Fluence Z.E. which gets its own face.

    Looks like Renault distributor TC Euro Cars has big plans this year, as it will enter the mainstream C-segment market with this car. They’ve been more of a niche sports hatchback player before this, with their popular Renault Megane RS. Given that a lot of car companies tease their upcoming models on social media these days, we’ll be paying close attention to the Renault Malaysia Facebook fan page.

     
     
  • Renault Fluence spied in Malaysia – launching soon?

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    Today, we have some spyshots from sweltering hot Malaysia, instead of snow-filled Europe. Reader Erh-Pin Lim sent in two pics of a taped-up sedan undergoing testing in the Mont Kiara area. The badges and rear lamps are disguised with black tape, but the car’s shape tells us that it is the Renault Fluence.

    If the name sounds familiar, that’s because the Fluence has been in Malaysia for some time now, in battery-powered Fluence Z.E. form. That evaluation unit, which we have tested before, lives in TC Euro Cars’ PJ headquarters, but this is no electric car. The conventional location of the fuel flap tells us so – the EV’s charging flap is on the front fender.

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    Could this sighting mean that the Renault Fluence is set for a local launch? If so, there is possibility that the car will be locally-assembled by Tan Chong, as CBU import pricing might make it uncompetitive from the start in a very competitive segment.

    That class will include C-segment players like the Toyota Corolla Altis, Honda Civic, Ford Focus and the upcoming CKD Volkswagen Jetta, among other players. The new Nissan Sylphy, an in-house Alliance rival, is also set to debut here this year. Things are about to get more interesting for sure – the Malaysian car buyer has never had it this good in terms of options.

     
     
 
 
 

Latest Fuel Prices

PETROL
RON 95 RM2.05 (0.00)
RON 97 RM3.47 (0.00)
RON 100 RM5.00
VPR RM6.10
DIESEL
EURO 5 B10 RM2.15 (0.00)
EURO 5 B7 RM2.35 (0.00)
Last Updated Mar 07, 2024