HomeCar NewsRenault Lodgy continues testing, spied again in Chennai

Renault Lodgy continues testing, spied again in Chennai

As Renault India pursues a higher market share, the auto manufacturer looks to increase its presence here. After entering the hatchback, sedan and SUV segment, Renault now aims to enter the MPV segment in India.

Already spotted on test in India, the Lodgy was once again spied by Rush Lane reader Ashok Kumar.

MPV segment in India was redefined when Maruti launched Ertiga. Based on the Swift, Ertiga paved the wave for a new breed of seven seaters in India. Following Ertiga, Indian auto industry witnessed the launch of Chevrolet Enjoy, Nissan Evalia and Honda Mobilio. Though all offering a very similar package, it is the Mobilio and Eritga who rule this segment.

To challenge these cars, Renault India will launch their very own MPV, Lodgy. First launched at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, it is based on the same platform as that of Duster SUV. At 4,498 mm in length, Lodgy is longer than Ertiga and Mobilio, but shorter to Innova by just 87 mm. This means, compared to the Ertiga and Mobilio, Lodgy will offer more interior space (especially in the third row).

After officially revealing the first image of India-spec Lodgy last week, the French company now works towards launching the Lodgy in India, as early as March 2015.

Expected to be powered by Duster’s 1.5l diesel engine offering 85 PS power and Micra’s 1.2l petrol generating 76 PS power, price of Lodgy is expected to start in the range of Rs 6-7 lakhs.

Also See – Honda Mobilio vs Maruti Ertiga

Sold under the Dacia brand in international markets, however Renault isn’t going the Nissan way. While Nissan introduced it’s budget brand Datsun to sell budget cars, Renault isn’t inclined to introduce the Dacia brand. As such Dacia Lodgy will be sold as Renault Lodgy in India once introduced in 2015 to compete in the growing MPV segment here.

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