Renault’s latest car, the Scala, is proof of the company’s Indian ambition however, the car itself is not really a French product. So what is it? Well, lets find out
Renault seems to be really serious about India and evidence to that is the launch of three cars in a year and a promise for more to come in the near future. At the start of this year the company launched its first hatchback, the Pulse, which is based on the Nissan Micra. Then they launched their second SUV in India, the Duster, a product developed by Dacia which is owned by Renault. And now the French car maker is going to launch a mid-size sedan called the Scala, again a product from the Renault-Nissan alliance.
The Scala is basically a re-badged Nissan Sunny however, Renault has put in some efforts to distinguish the Scala from the Sunny. For example, the front end of the Scala is completely different from the Sunny. It has been revised completely making it appear more aggressive and slightly more attractive than the sober looking Sunny. The headlamps remain the same however, they are not exactly the same as Sunny. On the rear end of the Scala you can notice a chrome strip on the boot lid that has the car’s name on it. The tail lamps have also been given a clear treatment along with a new blinker layout. And that is pretty much where it ends, rest of the Scala is pretty much the Sunny, inside and outside.
The Scala is powered by the same 1.5 litre petrol engine and 1.5 litre diesel engine that powers the Sunny and is in exactly the same state of tune as well. However, Renault has promised a new variant of the Scala which will be equipped with a CVT transmission. The renault Scala will be available in four variants, priced at Rs. 6.99 lakh (RXE, petrol), Rs. 9.57 lakh (RXZ, diesel), Rs. 7.85 lakh (RXL, petrol) and Rs. 8.69 lakh (RXL, Diesel). Pick-up a copy of Car India’s September issue for our first impressions of the new Scala.
SPEC SHEET
Petrol (RxE & RxL models)
Engine: 1498cc, 99PS@4000rpm, 134 Nm@4000rpm
Five speed manual, Electric power steering
Suspension: McPherson Strut (Front), Torsion Bar (Rear)
Brakes:Disc (Front), Drum (Rear)
Wheels and tyres:185/70 R14 (RxE Model) Steel wheels, 185/65 R15 (RxL Model) Alloy wheels
Weight (kgs): 1005 – 1010 (RxE – RxL models)
Fuel Tank: 41 Litres
Seating capacity: 5
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Diesel (RxL & RxZ models)
1461cc, 86PS@3750rpm, 200 Nm@2000rpm
Five speed manual, Electric power steering
Suspension: McPherson Strut (Front), Torsion Bar (Rear)
Brakes: Disc (Front), Drum (Rear)
Wheels and tyres: 185/65 R15 Alloy wheels
Weight: 1080 – 1085 (RxL – RxZ models)
Fuel Tank: 41 Litres
Seating capacity: 5
