Is the Renault Symbol a better car than the Scala?
In yet another saga of sharing products/components and platforms, Renault has reskinned the all-new Dacia Logan into the 2013 Renault Symbol for the Turkish market.
Unlike the ‘Renault’ Duster (a Dacia product), this re-skinning is a bit more serious. The new design is definitely a bit conservative and a bit forgettable for a French manufacturer.
It has a prominent Renault grill with new headlamps, a new front bumper, blackened door frames and new tail lamps.
It also gets quite a lot of kit such as cruise control, USB/Bluetooth connectivity and a 60/40-split folding rear bench seat, a seven inch touch screen with the Renault Media Nav infotainment system.
The Renault Symbol will be offered in both petrol and diesel options. The petrol charge is lead by a three-cylinder 898 cc petrol unit with an ultra-low-inertia turbocharger plus VVT. It generates 90 hp and 135 Nm and gives an astounding mileage of 18.9 km/l.
The diesel option is the familiar 1.5L dCi engine available in two states of tune - 75 PS and 90 PS - with fuel economy reaching as high as 25.6 km/l.
The new Renault Symbol in currently being showcased at the Istanbul Motor Show. It will first appear in the Turkish market (early next year), and then will be introduced in Algeria and Tunisia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_0MTZ1VX5so&noredirect=1
The big question – Will it come to India?
Its ruled out for now, the Scala's launch becomes pointless if the Symbol is launched. It could be headed to the Indian shores as a replacement to the Renault Scala, but nevertheless the Symbol would have been Renault's Duster in the C Segment as it brings something new and refreshing to that segment.
[Source: Worldcarfans.com]