Renault India launches Lodgy MPV, plans sub-Rs 4 lakh model this year

Renault India has kicked off its next phase of growth in India by launching its volume-getter model, the Lodgy MPV.

Rolled out at an introductory price of Rs 8.19 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the entry model that comes fitted with the ABS, EBD and power steering, the top-end model costs Rs 11.79 lakh. This seven-seater MPV is set to rival the likes of the Toyota Innova, the Honda Mobilio and the Maruti Ertiga.

The highlight of the Lodgy is its cavernous cabin and huge dimensions. The MPV is 4.5 metres long, 1.8 metres wide, 1.7 metres tall and rides on a 2.8-metre-long wheelbase.

The Lodgy’s interior is similar to its sibling, the Duster, with many parts borrowed from the all-wheel-drive variant of the SUV. Renault has also equipped the Lodgy with a raft of features and fitments. The top trim will get a touchscreen infotainment system, satellite navigation, rearview camera, parking sensors and dedicated AC vents for the second and third row. It also gets bottle-holders and 12V power sockets for all rows, with folding tray tables for the second row.

The Lodgy is powered by a 1.5-litre K9K diesel engine in two states of tune — 84bhp along with a five-speed manual gearbox and 108.5bhp with a six-speed manual gearbox. This same K9K engine powers the Duster SUV, Fluence and Scala sedan as well as the Nissan Sunny, Terrano and Micra as both the alliance partners share their car platforms at their Oragadam plant near Chennai. The plant currently has a production capacity of 480,000 units annually.

Being the second volume model for Renault after the Duster, the Lodgy will help the French carmaker muster higher sales numbers and achieve its targeted market share of 5 percent by end 2016, which is  roughly estimated to be sales of around 150,000 units. The company’s strategic pillars of growth will rest on growing its product and dealer network. As part of the network expansion drive, Renault will expand its outlets from 157 to 205 this year.

In line with this focus, Renault plans to introduce another new model this year – a sub-Rs 4 lakh car. Both Renault and Nissan were working on a small entry level A segment car. In the small car portfolio, Nissan has already brought its more affordable Datsun brand to India and Renault is believed to be working on the CMFA platform for India.

Sumit Sawhney, country CEO and managing director, Renault India Operations, said that the India technology centre of the Renault Nissan Alliance in Chennai has incorporated 60 changes in the Lodgy to make it suitable for the India market.

Renault Lodgy 84bhp prices (ex-Delhi)

Standard: Rs 8.19 lakh

RxE: Rs 8.99 lakh

RxL: Rs 9.59 lakh

RxZ: Rs 10.89 lakh

Renault Lodgy 108.5bhp prices (ex-Delhi)

RxL: Rs 10.09 lakh

RxZ: Rs 11.49 lakh (8-seater)

RxZ: Rs 11.79 lakh (7-seater)