Renault Pulse is the third product from Renault’s car basket in
India. In an attempt to put its best foot forward in India, Renault
India has readied its new car ‘Renault Pulse’ for mass
audience. After it ceased the joint venture with SUV giant Mahindra,
Renault chalked out an aggressive strategy for establishing itself in
the much competitive car market. In an effort to emerge as an
independent identity in the country, the French auto biggie came with
Renault Fluence and lately brought into fore the extremely pricey SUV -
Renault Koleos. Renault India wants to extend its reach in every car
segment. Therefore after launching Koleos SUV for niche audience at Rs
23 lakh, the French auto maker has tried to catch attention of mass
audience by Renault Pulse. Renault Pulse is positioned in the Swift
hatchback category.
Renault unveiled new Pulse car earlier in 2011 at a grand event of
Formula 1 racing in Noida where it was unveiled by Carlos Tavares, COO
of Renault and Marc NASSIF, Managing Director, Renault India and two
Formula 1 drivers. Renault Pulse was officially launched at the Auto
Expo, 2012. At the grandiose occasion, the company just launched diesel
powered Pulse because of surge in demand for diesel cars in India.
However, in May 2012, three more variants of petrol were launched to
complete the entire range. The company, which is focusing on the
top-down strategy to establish the brand in the Indian market, is
simultaneously working on plans to enter the core market which is
highlighted by hatchbacks in India. It plans to launch a range of
vehicles based on a completely new platform in the A segment.
Although Renault has a tried and tested market for its hatchbacks in
international market, India would be witnessing the entry of Renault’s
small car for the first time. There were so many guesses about the exact
name of this hatchback car that everyday a new name used to crop up for
this hatchback. But none of them could make up to India and finally
Renault Pulse stuck to the name plate. Renault Pulse will be specially devised for Indian market to keep the price affordable.
Renault India has decked up Renault Pulse with all necessary and luxury
features to suit the requirements of Indian audience. Renault Pulse is
basically a small hatchback car by built. However, the emphasis is not
on the smallness of the car, rather it is quite spacious and roomy.
Renault Indian is eyeing big business through this small car in India.
The widening arms of Renault can be seen from Renault’s investment of a
whopping Rs 6.5 crore on promotional activities during Indian GP.
Renault Pulse is developed for the Indian market by Renault’s Design
Center in Mumbai. The Renault Pulse Indian project has been completely
handled by Indian designers. The 11 member design team worked for
two-and-a-half years when the project was started in 2009. The company
worked on the design of Renault Pulse that came out with the Logan, even
though the latter was not a success. During these three years, the
designers understood the needs, expectations and taste in terms of
colours, shapes and features of Indian customers. Based on their
research, Renault India decided to position the car a little differently
from Nissan’s Micra and therefore, made Renault Pulse more sporty,
aggressive and with more character. The quick rollout of product
highlights Renault’s commitment to the Indian market.
Renault Pulse India is based on the V platform also used in Nissan
cars like Nissan Micra. The new car osculates some features with Nissan
Micra. The Renault Pulse is available with the Renault K9K diesel 1.5 dCi engine with maximum power of 64PS@4000rpm and peak torque of 160Nm@2000rpm that delivers one of the best in-class fuel efficiency of 23.08 Kmpl,
as per the ARAI test data. The Renault Pulse is thus a prime example of
the synergies generated by an alliance. With Pulse, Renault has also
started the localization of the k9K engine family in India with
production started at the Nissan -Renault factory located in Oragadam in
the outskirts of Chennai. Renault Pulse will take on Maruti, Hyundai
and Tata’s small cars head on and will further intensify the already
competitive hatchback market. The Pulse is launched in India in two
diesel variants the RxL & RxZ. However, the company soon pulled up
its socks and in 2012 it and three petrol variants were launched.
Renault Pulse Petrol variants are powered by 3 cylinders, in-line DOHC
12-valve which generates maximum power of 76 PS@6000 with a torque
figure of 104 Nm@4000. The 1.2L petrol engine comes with 5 speed manual
transmission engine and electronic fuel injection control.
Despite the fact that it shares the same platform with Nissan Micra,
Renault Pulse hopes to have its own identity with a unique French
automaker’s styling. The new hatchback by Nissan has new body color
bumpers, a small bonnet and front hexagonal grille besides unique body
panels. The front end features huge Renault logo in centre, flanked by
chrome underlined front grille and tinted windshield. The side profile
of Renault Pulse steals the show and resembles the side of Maruti Ritz
with tall appearance and thick C-pillar. The rear end of Renault Pulse
showcases a big Renault logo with ‘Renault Pulse’ nomenclature below it
and tall tail lamps. Renault has tried to buck-in as much profit as
possible by giving Renault Pulse a chic look.
Furthermore, Renault Pulse inherits the interiors from its sibling Micra. The HVAC (Heater, Ventilation and Air-Conditioner)
controls on the dash in addition to an array of other interior features
and styling are carried forward to Renault Pulse from the bubble shaped
car, Micra. The smart door lock and unlock feature is the centre for
attraction. With this convenient feature, there is no need for driver to
take out key from his/her pocket or bag to lock/unlock the car. The
smart access key has proximity sensors that automatically do the duty.
The Renault Pulse India features automatic climate control, power and
tilt adjustable steering, power windows, air-conditioner, rear defogger
with timer, rear washer/wiper, leather seats, tinted glass, lock and
unlock sensing ORVMs, illuminated engine start/stop button, dash
integrated music system and rear parcel tray. The list of features
aggravates with roof spoiler and front fog lamps with follow-me
headlamps.
The Pulse will turn out to be a perfect small car for youth and
aspiring Indian customers looking for a bold, fuel-efficient compact car
that is fun to drive in the city as well as on the highways. The Pulse
will be available in various metallic colors like Pearl White, Metallic
Red, Solid Black, Metallic Silver, Metallic Grey and Champagne Gold
colors. The Pulse stands and runs on decent 14 inch wheels for RxL and RXE while the top end RxZ gets 15 inch alloy wheels
which add considerably to the handling and the aesthetics of the car.
Macpherson struts in the front and coil springs in the rear add
stability to the ride and give the hatch superb driving dynamics.
Renault Pulse is high on safety norms. 2 airbags, fog lamps, rear seat belts, Front and rear adjustable headrests and ISOFIX child seat fixing points are standard with Renault Pulse. One good thing about Renault Pulse is the unique 2+2 year or 80,000 Km warranty
under the Renault Complete Care package that will be offered by the
company which also includes sops like Concierge services, 24X7 roadside
assistance, Navigation assistance, etc. Renault is also aggressively
working on increasing the sales and service outlets of the company to
promote the brand and address needs of their customers.
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