Renault Modus Overview:
Going right on track with its portfolio expansion plans in the Indian market, the French car maker is all Renault is all set to launch its third offering – Renault Modus in the India. The company had announced in the starting of this month that it will be rolling-out as many as 5 new cars in the Indian market by the end of year 2012. Out of which, it has already launched two car models in the country including premium sedan Fluence and luxury sports utility vehicle Koleos. The Renault Modus will be third consecutive model launched by Renault in year 2011.
With the launch of Renault Modus model, French car maker will be marking its debut in the premium hatchback segment, which is already filled with a large number of competitive car models including the likes of Maruti Swift and Ford Figo. The launch of the Renault Modus hatchback is expected to raise a price war in the premium hatchback segment, where it will be fighting for space with the likes of Maruti Swift, Volkswagen Polo, Ford Figo, Nissan Micra, Hyundai i20, Skoda Fabia and Fiat Punto. The French beauty is expected to be priced competitively in the segment of sub Rs 5 lakh, as the Indian buyers are highly price conscious and Renault will never want to repeat the mistake done by Honda by pricing its premium hatchback Jazz highest in its segment.
The yet to be launched in India, Renault Modus is already a hit in the global market. The hatchback has been appreciated for its eye arresting look and impeccable performance throughout the world. The car is currently sold in two variant in the UK market – the Renault Modus and Renault Modus Grand, where is has been accepted very well by the buyers of this segment. However, the Indian version of the may lose a few features, considering the high price conscious Indian buyers. A few premium features, which are currently available in the European version of the car, are expected to be trimmed down in the Indian version, in a bid to price the car competitively in the market.
Same as many other premium hatchbacks, the Renault Modus will be launched in both petrol and diesel versions in the Indian market. The Renault Modus petrol version will come powered by an 1149 cc engine which is expected to deliver a peak power of 100 bhp, along with a peak torque of 108 Nm. Blessed with the proven petrol engine technology the Renault Modus petrol version will be delivering a considerably high fuel economy of 16 to 20 kmpl on the Indian roads.
On the other hand, Renault Modus diesel unit of the car will be powered by a bigger 1461cc engine that will be delivering a peak power of 90 bhp along with a peak torque of 220 Nm. The mileage of Renault Modus diesel version of the car is expected to be in the range of 17 to 21 kmpl. Both petrol and diesel versions of the will be carrying five - speed manual transmission gearbox. However, the French auto giant may surprise the car enthusiasts by rolling-out an automatic transmission version in the country, same as Hyundai did with its premium hatchback i20 in the Indian car market.
The new Renault Modus will be one of the most spacious models in its segment with a length of just less than 4 meters (3874). While the width and height of the car will be 1695 mm and 1589 mm, respectively. However, the expected ground clearance of 120 mm may prove slightly less in the Indian road conditions.
Being in partnership with India’s largest utility vehicle maker Mahindra & Mahindra for more than two years, in now proving handy for the company, as after analyzing the response received by its Logan sedan, Renault now has better understanding of the needs and requirements of the buyers of this segment in the country.
The Renault Modus is a premium segment car that come blessed with a range of advanced technological features along with a superior level of comfort & convenience and safety. The major attractions of the car will include its eye catchy exterior designing, classy interior, superior engine unit and the use of advanced technologies.
The exterior of the Renault Modus will be blessed with the features like ORVMs (outside rear view mirrors) with turn indicators, body colored bumpers, door handles and mirrors, stylish alloy wheels, rear wiper, washer and defogger, rear spoiler, etc.
Inside the Renault Modus model will be blessed with a number of comfort, convenience and styling features including power steering, all four power windows, central locking for all five doors, sunroof, tinted glasses, steering mounted volume control and many more.
The new Renault Modus is expected to be one of the safest models in its segments as it will be brought from the European market, where the safety standards are one step higher as compared to the same in Indian market. Major attractions at the safety front include dual front airbags for driver and front passenger, ABS (antilock braking system) with EBD (electronic brake force distribution), fog lamps, etc.
Renault Modus Mileage and Fuel Efficiency
Despite carrying the most powerful engines of the segment at the hearts of both petrol and diesel versions; the Renault Modus will deliver a considerably high fuel economy.
The petrol version of the car will come blessed with a fuel efficient 1.2L engine that will be delivering a high mileage in the range of 16 to 20 kmpl. While on highways, the mileage of Nissan Modus can easily reach up to 20 kmpl, in heavy traffic conditions and congested roads of cities, Modus will offer a mileage of up to 16 kmpl.
On the other hand, the Renault Modus diesel will come powered by a 1.5L engine that delivers a mileage of 17 to 21 kmpl. While on long highway drives you can easily get up to 21 kmpl, on city roads it will be up to 17 kmpl.
Renault Modus Price Range
Though Renault is a premium car maker it will never want to repeat the mistake done by Japanese Honda Motors by pricing its Jazz hatchback exceptionally high. The Renault Moduswill be priced competitively in both petrol and diesel versions. While the petrol version is expected to be launched in the price range of Rs 4.5 to 5.5 lakh, the Renault Modus diesel version will possibly be shelved in the price segment of Rs 5.5 to Rs 6.5 lakh.
Renault India has already started planning promotional activities for its upcoming hatchback Modus. Modus will be showcased at the upcoming Formula One Gran Prix at Noida’s famous racing track. The Renault Modus is expected to drive high volumes in mass segment for the French car maker, which is so far limited to above Rs 10 lakh segment. The Renault Modus launch is expected to take place in the last week of November 2011.
Renault Modus Models
As of now, the company hasn’t revealed any information related to the number of the variants of the car in the Indian market. However, it is expected that the Renault Modus will be launched in a single petrol and single diesel version in the Indian auto market.
Renault Modus Petrol
The Renault Modus petrol will be powered by a 1.2L petrol engine and will be blessed with a range of new age comfort, convenience and safety features including Power steering, power windows, steering mounted volume control, music system, adjustable steering column, four way adjustable driver seat, etc. The optional features in the car could include ABS, dual front airbags, rear spoiler, etc.
Renault Modus Diesel
The only difference between the diesel and petrol version of the car will be of the engine unit. The Renault Modus diesel will come powered by a 1461cc engine and will be offered with a five speed manual transmission. All comfort, convenience and safety features mentioned in the petrol version will also be available with diesel variant of the car.
Engine, Power and Performance
As we have already mentioned in the above section, the Renault Modus is expected to be launched in the country in both diesel and petrol versions simultaneously.
The Renault Modus petrol version will come powered by a 1149 cc, four - cylinder power train that is not only proven in performance but also better in economy as compared to its counterparts available with the competitors. The power packed 1.2L petrol engine of the car is expected to deliver a peak power of 100 bhp along with a top torque of 108 Nm, making the Modus one of the most powerful hatchbacks in its segment.
As we discussed above, the Renault Modus diesel is expected to be blessed with a 1461cc engine that will be generating a peak power of 90 bhp along with a maximum torque figure of 220 Nm. At a time, when the demand for diesel run cars is skyrocketing in the Indian market, the new Renault Modus Diesel will provide a powerful and reliable option to the buyers.
Bothe petrol and diesel version of the car will come coupled with a five speed manual transmission gearbox. An automatic transmission version of the car is expected to be launched after a few months of the launch of manual transmission version.
Renault Modus Pick-up & Acceleration
Powered by proven engines of French auto giant, the Renault Modus is expected to offer a best in segment Acceleration & Pickup characteristics. Both petrol and diesel version will be offering a quick throttle response. With massive power support from the engine’s side, the Renault Modus will be a Breeze to drive. However, the exact time in reaching 0-100 km per hour, is yet to be revealed by the company. Stay tuned with us for latest information in this regard. The car has been tuned to offer an ease of drive in the heavy traffic conditions.
Renault Modus Exteriors and Features
The French car maker Renault has already created a unique premier car makers image of its own in the Indian market, with both of its so far launched models – premium sedan Fluence and luxury SUV Koleos – carry a superbly fascinating exterior. The same will be followed with the Renault Modus model that has already been appreciated for its jaw dropping looks of the exterior. The Renault Modus exterior profile is blessed with a perfect combination of contemporary and futuristic designing and styling characteristics. While the front has been designed dynamically, the rear profile has been made sober with eye catchy stylish tail lamps. The major attractions at the exterior of the car will include the features like body colored bumpers, body colored door handles and outside rear view mirrors, rear spoilers, alloy wheels, sunroof and many more.
The length of the car is just less than four meters and it has got a wider and taller body frame as compared to many of its competitors in the Indian market. The length, width and height of the Renault Modus will be 3874 mm, 1695 mm and 1589 mm.
Renault Modus Interiors and Features
The Renault Modus interior will be carrying most of its designing and styling cues from version available in the UK market.
The premium class interior designing of the Modus model not only offers a fascinating look to the car, but also creates a unique kind of speciousness inside the car. The car is specious in every dimension, it is taller, it is wider and it is higher as compared to many of its competitors. The spacious interior of the car offers a highly comfortable ride to the driver as well as passengers by offering high shoulder room, leg room and head room. This also makes entry and exit from the car easier.
The major comfort and convenience features that are expected to be offered with the Renault Modus include power windows, power steering, adjustable steering with mounted volume control, adjustable rear seats, AC, music system with USB compatibility, remote fuel filler opener, remote boot lid opener, etc. Besides this, the Renault Modus designers have worked their best to utilize every inch of the car with offering a number of storage spaces inside including cup holders, bottle holders, card holders, sunglass holder, etc.
Safety Features in Renault Modus
Being developed in the European market where the safety standards are one step higher as compared to the same in the Indian market, the Renault Modus has been designed and developed to make sure a full proof safety of passengers as well as of car. The car is expected to come blessed with a range of active and passive safety features in the Indian market that comprises of ABS (antilock braking system) in combination with EBD (electronic brake-force distribution), dual front airbags that includes airbag for both driver and front passenger, Front fog lamps, remote central locking, etc.
Driving & Handling
The Renault Modus is a city car, it has been developed while taking into consideration all problems a car owner can encounter during driving the car on congested city roads, where traffic condition always remain jam packed. Driving and handling the car is way easier as compared to its competitors, thank to the use of highly sophisticated technology. The features like power steering and an effective braking system makes the drivers life easy in bumper to bumper traffic conditions. Moreover, the advanced suspension system of Renault Modusnot let pass on the effect of bad road conditions to the passengers inside the car.
