Renault Pulse
Maxabout Review
Renault's Small Car for India is 'Pulse'
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Overview of Renault Pulse
Renault India has unveiled its all-new small car 'Pulse' for India, though it is not that much new. It is based on the V-platform on which Nissan Micra was developed and one can easily tell that it is Micra with Renault badge. Renault will manufacture the Pulse at its Chennai facility and will try to heavily localize the car. Renault Pulse was unveiled by Carlos Ghosn, the Chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Renault Pulse will be initially available in diesel only which will be followed by petrol version later. The diesel engine will be same 1.5 litre engine which powers the Micra and develops maximum power of 64 bhp with maximum torque of 160 nm. The base model of Pulse diesel (RxL) has been priced very competitively at Rs. 5.77 lakhs. Previously it was expected that Pulse would be based on Renault Modus or Clio but to keep the costs down and heavily localise the car, Renault India decided to manufacture it on the platform of Nissan Micra.
Whats different in Renault Pulse in comparison to Nissan Micra
- New front and rear bumper
- New head lights and tail lights
- New round fog lamps
- New steering wheel
- New front grille and alloy wheels
- Renault logo on hatch and front grille
Whats same in Renault Pulse and Nissan Micra
- Both are manufactured in same factory located in Chennai
- Based on same V-platform to keep the costs down
- Share same suspension, 5 speed gearbox
- Share same petrol and diesel engines
- Same instrument cluster and central console
- Same front and rear seats, same door handles
- Same tyres, rear-view mirrors, doors, bonnet and hatch
Fast Facts about Renault Pulse
- Renault Pulse is based on Nissan Micra’s Platform
- Unique 2+2 year warranty (first for a car in this class)
- The codename of Renault Pulse project is B58
- It shares most of the exterior and interior parts with Nissan Micra
- The engines will be same which powers the Micra petrol and diesel
- Unveiled by Carlos Ghosn at 1st Indian Grand Prix in Noida
- Initially available in diesel only and petrol model will be launched later
- Diesel engine’s displacement is 1.5 litre, 64 bhp power, 160 nm torque
- Base model of Pulse diesel is priced at Rs. 5.77 lakhs (ex-showroom New Delhi)
- Base model of Pulse petrol is expected to be priced around 5.3 lakh rupees (ex-showroom New Delhi)
- Available in six shades: Champagne Gold, Metallic Grey, Metallic Red, Metallic Silver, Pearl White and Solid Black
- Will be manufactured in India where Micra is manufactured
- Renault Pulse is the first small car to be awarded with a 5-star EuroNCAP rating
- Available in four variants - RxL, RxZ, RxL Option and RxZ Option
- The option variant comes with dual airbags - driver + passenger
Design and Styling of Renault Pulse
In terms of design and styling, Renault Pulse looks same like Nissan Micra sans the front grille, rear bumper, front bumper, headlights, tail lights and company’s logo. The front end features huge Renault logo in centre, black matte finish grille below it and front bumper with huge air-dam flanked by round-shaped clear lens fog lamps. The side profile of Pulse looks a lot like Nissan Micra with curves and thick C-pillar. The rear of Renault Pulse features big Renault logo in centre and Pulse insignia below it in chrome finish. Though Renault Pulse is based on Nissan Micra but it looks much better and handsome. It is expected that Renault Pulse will win hearts of Indian buyers who want a stylish and spacious hatchback with cute looks.
Interiors of Renault Pulse
The interiors of Pulse very spacious and feature rich like Nissan Micra. It shares most of the design cues and parts from Micra; the only change is that Pulse features new steering wheel and different colour scheme for seats and door pads. The boot space of Renault Pulse is very decent and can accommodate 2-3 suitcases easily. The top model of Pulse is expected to feature power steering, power windows, remote central locking, air-conditioner, rear defogger, rear washer/wiper, leatherette seats, dash integrated music system and rear parcel tray. The central console and instrument cluster are same like Nissan Micra, which are in silver finish and looks very different and unique. But Renault should have tried something else to differentiate Pulse from Nissan Micra.
Engine of Renault Pulse
- 1198cc, 3 cylinder petrol, 75 bhp – 104 nm (will be launched later)
- 1461cc, 4 cylinder diesel, 64 bhp – 160 nm (will initially be available in diesel only)
The Renault Pulse will initially be available in diesel only and petrol variant will be launched later. Both the engines are same which are doing duty under the hood of Nissan Micra. The petrol model of Pulse will be powered by 1198cc engine which generates maximum power of 75 bhp with maximum torque of 104 nm. The diesel model is powered by 1461cc engine which generated maximum power of 64 bhp with maximum torque of 160 nm.
Variants of Renault Pulse
- Renault Pulse Petrol
- Renault Pulse Diesel RxL
- Renault Pulse Diesel RxL Option
- Renault Pulse Diesel RxZ
- Renault Pulse Diesel RxZ Option
Renault Pulse diesel is available in four variants - RxL, RxL Option, RxZ and RxZ Option. Renault Pulse petrol is expected to be launched in April/May 2012. The option variant comes with 2 airbags - driver + passenger.
Price of Renault Pulse
- Renault Pulse Diesel RxZ – Rs. 5,77,000 (ex-showroom New Delhi)
- Renault Pulse Diesel RxL – Rs. 6,25,000 (ex-showroom New Delhi)
- Renault Pulse Diesel RxZ Option – Rs. 5,90,000 (ex-showroom New Delhi)
- Renault Pulse Diesel RxL Option – Rs. 6,38,000 (ex-showroom New Delhi)
Renault Pulse's base model (RxL) is priced at Rs. 5.77 lakhs and top model (RxZ) is priced at Rs. 6.25 lakhs. These prices are ex-showroom New Delhi. The base model of Pulse petrol is expected to be priced at 5.3 lakh rupees and it is expected to be launched later this year.
Safety Features of Renault Pulse
- Dual airbags (Option variant)
- ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
- EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution)
Top-model (RxZ) of Renault Pulse features Dual airbags (Option variant), ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution).
Shades Available in Renault Pulse
Renault Pulse is available in six shades:
- Champagne Gold
- Metallic Grey
- Metallic Red
- Metallic Silver
- Pearl White
- Solid Black
