Renault India have introduced the Lodgy MPV in two diesel guises with a choice of seating configurations from Rs 8.19 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
The Lodgy is the latest of the Romanian Dacia range to be launched in India, following the massive global success of its bigger sibling: the Duster. The Lodgy is being offered only in diesel, but with two choices for the renowned K9K 1.5-litre engine’s state of tune: the dCi 85 with 86 PS and 200 Nm, and the dCi 110 with 110 PS and 245 Nm. The Lodgy will feature a 5-speed manual transmission for the dCi 85, whereas the dCi 110 gets a 6-speed. Both are front-wheel driven. Speaking of wheels, the Lodgy rides on 15″ wheels shod with 185/65 rubber.
Inside, the equipment level is more than decent and the touch-screen multimedia system with navigation, offered on the top model, makes life much easier on the move. There’s even a rear-view camera. Also, all three rows have a 12V socket, allowing chargers and other devices to be connected and powered.
Practicality and flexibility is where the Lodgy really shines however. It can be had as a 7-seater with the first two rows having captain seats, with a bench third row for 2+2+3 seating; or an 8-seater with 2+3+3 seating. The third row is removable in both configurations, leaving a 5-seater configuration, or a 2+2 seater layout, with massive boot space available either way.
Even with the third row up, the Lodgy offers 207 litres of boot space. With the third row tumbled, it rises to 589 litres, and with it removed completely, it rises further to 759 litres. With the second row tumbled, it turns into a cavernous 1,861 litres.
The 50-litre fuel tank will good range as well, with the claimed efficiency figures being 21.04 km/l for the dCi 85, with 19.98 km/l stated for the dCi 110.
Read all about it in our first drive review in the current April ’15 issue of Car India magazine.
Here is the price list (all ex-showroom Delhi):
Std dCi 85 8-st: Rs 8.19 lakh
RxE dCi 85 8-st: Rs 8.99 lakh
RxL dCi 85 8-st: Rs 9.59 lakh
RxZ dCi 85 8-st: Rs 10.89 lakh
RxL dCi 110 8-st: Rs 10.09 lakh
RxZ dCi 110 8-st: Rs 11.49 lakh
RxZ dCi 110 7-st: Rs 11.79 lakh
