Well, that’s exactly the question that will pop up when yon have a dekko at the Scala, Renault’s new offering in the mid-size sedan segment
THE NEW SCALA FROM RENAULT, WHICH IS scheduled for a launch this month, may give many a sense of Déjà Vu, but don’t keep rubbing your eyes for too long, for this is actually a Nissan Sunny which now has a new badge, a Renault badge. This is exactly why companies enter into alliances, so that they may launch similar products with different brand-names and that is precisely what Renault have done in this case. They borrowed the Sunny from Nissan, slapped a Renault badge on it and re-named it Scala. Of course, they did change it a bit here and there to make it look more French than Japanese, but many bits and pieces, including the engines, are identical and there is hardly anything that renders the Scala radically different from the Sunny.
STILL A ‘CAAAAAR’ OR JUST A CAR?
Well, it’s obvious that it is still a ‘caaaaaar’ as nothing has dramatically changed except the front end and a few bits on the rear. However, there is something that Renault have done which makes the Scala look a little more attractive than its Japanese original. Nevertheless, it still lacks the quintessential oomph factor that many Renault cars have. Considering that the Scala will possibly be targeted at the family-oriented customers, who are more concerned about comfort and space, the exterior hardly matters much. But the Scala does look decent and slightly better than the Sunny. Whoever designed the front end has done a fair job of keeping it stylish rather than sober like the Sunny. However, we would have loved to see some more creativity from a company that makes the awesome Megane.
Unfortunately, the most dramatic change ends there. Apart from the more attractive front end, there is hardly anything else that distinguishes the Scala from the Sunny. Seen from the side, both the cars look exactly the same and the theme continues even towards the back of the car, where the same tail-lamp gets a clear look along with a new blinker layout. Chrome also appears on the rear of the car with the boot-lid being dominated by a chrome strip that proudly sports the name of the car.
Renault might have re-done the exterior, but they somehow forgot the interior, which, quite frankly, is a bit mushy. I mean it does not gell well with what you see on the outside, though the interior quality and fit-and-finish are fairly nice for the price and the presence of leather upholstery is quite a classy touch. Space and seating are quite comfortable and there is a lot of leg room in the back, just as in the Sunny. Overall, the Scala is a Sunny that has a better looking face and leather upholstery along with a French badge and these might just be the points that will help the Scala distinguish itself from the Sunny.
THE ENGINE OPTIONS
Well, identical to the Sunny’s and in exactly the same state of tune. The two engine options are 1.5-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel, producing 99 PS and 86 PS of power and 134 Nm and 200 Nm of torque respectively. We got the chance to savour the diesel engine and, to be honest, it was not really breathtaking. I mean it’s a good engine that performs well and is quite refined, but the low-end power is quite poor and you need to keep the revs up to enjoy the 200 Nm of torque. But the Scala scores well in the mid-range and top-end, though you still have to work through the gearbox while overtaking on the highway. Overall, the 1.5-litre dCi motor is well suited to the city and fairly well on the highway. Uphill roads are out of this engine’s prowess, since you have to constantly keep the revs high and the gears low to tackle the task.
THE HANDLING
Scala’s handling is pretty nice for a car that will be spending most of its life in the concrete jungle. Renault cars are known for their ride quality and handling and even though this is basically a Nissan, the ride quality is pretty good. This is due to the suspension set-up, which is a bit on the softer side, making for a comfortable ride. That, incidentally, is also the reason for a slight body-roll when you push the Scala hard into a corner. Even so the Scala is a decent handling car most of the time. Its light steering has ample feedback and at city speeds it steers effortlessly. Overall, it behaves perfectly for the purpose it is intended for, which is to be a city car.
THE VERDICT
It wasn’t difficult to reach a conclusion really. The Scala is a Sunny in Renault guise and, as observed earlier, it has the same characteristics as the Sunny. Both the petrol and diesel variants handle quite well, though the low-end power of the diesel motor is quite poor, which might irritate you while driving through dense traffic. Overall, the Scala is a nice car that will be appreciated by the family-oriented audience, which is also the target audience for the Sunny. However, you will be required to pay slightly more to own this Renault-badged Nissan. The price range for the manual transmission petrol and diesel variants is expected to start at Rs 7-8 lakh. Renault are also planning a CVT transmission version, which will be the top end petrol variant and would command a premium in the region of Rs 10–11 lakh . The availability of a CVT option will be the only thing unique about the Scala and we propose to bring you a complete road test of the automatic Scala in the near future. Until then, if you are a Renault fan and want a mid-size sedan, we would recommend you the Scala, especially its diesel variant, which is a decent performer.
Of course, they did change it a bit here and there to make it look more French than Japanese, but many bits and pieces, including the engines, are identical and there is hardly anything that renders the Scala radically different from the Sunny
NEED TO KNOW
RENAULT SCALA 1.5dCi
PRICE Rs 7-10 lakh (approx)
ENGINE 1461cc, 86PS, 200Nm
TRANSMISSION Five-speed manual, front-wheel drive
LAUNCH September 2012
VARIANTS Two – RxL & RxZ
Story: Ravi Chandnani
Photography: Sanjay Raikar
