In a market like our country’s, it makes sense for the consumers to want MPV’s and SUV’s because of their utility features and more space as well as the ability to handle big loads over bad roads, but since SUV’s are more expensive, it is but natural for the middle class family in India to opt for a car from the less expensive MPV segment. The MPV segment in India is a very alluring one and already has quite a few good MPV’s like the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and the Honda Mobilio, and they are doing pretty well, so other automobile manufacturers are finding it difficult to stay away from this segment.
Dacia Lodgy rebadged as Renault Lodgy for India-
We had reported in one of our news articles earlier this year that Renault India is planning to launch the Lodgy MPV in India and that the launch would take place by 2015, and it seems as if Renault is right on track with this one. The Renault Lodgy was recently spotted while undergoing camouflaged testing in Chennai. The company did not showcase the Lodgy at the Auto Expo held in Delhi, but later made known its plans of launching the MPV in India.
The Lodgy too, just like the Renault Duster will be a rebadged Dacia product. The Renault Duster is actually a Dacia Duster and the Renault Lodgy too is actually a rebadged vehicle sold in Europe as the Dacia Lodgy. Reports in the first quarter of 2014 suggested that the Renault Lodgy will be produced at the Renault-Nissan facility in Oragadam, starting in December this-year and that the MPV will be going on-sale early in 2015.
Locally-produced Renault Lodgy MPV – InteriorView
The locally-produced Renault Lodgy’s interior was snapped for the first time by Anything-On-Wheels recently. The pictures indicate that the India-spec Lodgy has similar interiors to the European model, which is sold with a Dacia badge. There is a two-tone dashboard, three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, instrument cluster with three circular dials that are lined with chrome, circular air-conditioner vents, three rows of seats and a centre armrest for the middle row with cup holders.
The Lodgy is longer and wider than the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and the Honda Mobilio and this will definitely give it the advantage over its Japanese rivals in the utility and space department. Most of the interior parts will be shared with the Renault Duster, which translates into lower cost to build and in turn lower price too.
Locally-produced Renault Lodgy MPV – ExteriorView
The Lodgy, in India will be powered by the 1.5-litre K9K turbo-diesel currently being used across the entire Renault-Nissan range of small cars and sedans. It will first be introduced in the 85 PS state of tune and the 105 PS version of the same engine might be plonked in at a later stage.
By sharing so many components with already existing cars, Renault will be saving a lot of money on the design front and these savings will be passed on to the final consumer. The Renault Lodgy is expected to be priced at around 8-11 lakhs when it will be launched early next-year.
To read more on Renault India, Click here
Also see – Photo Rendering – Renault Lodgy to hit Indian shores by early-2015
See more spied pictures of Renault Lodgy MPV –
Source – Anything-On-Wheels
