Presently, if there's a segment that makes for a no less than lucrative deal for volume players in the Indian automotive industry apart from sub-four meter and small cars, it's indubitably MPVs. Credit the substantial number of joint families and a surge in road trippin’ culture, budget MPVs come about as just an ideal investment. Now, Renault isn't a brand that’s normally known to be frequently hooked into the media limelight in India for all-new launches. However, a quick recap of the history tells us that when it does, it takes the segment by storm. Just as it did in July 2012 with debut of the Duster which carved a segment of its own. Since then, there has been no major activity (save for mild updates and facelifts) from its stable. This time around, folks at Renault have to say
"nous sommes de retour avec un bang!".
Say bonjour to Renault Lodgy. A full-sized, practical MPV that’s headed straight to lock horns with the decade old and hitherto the undisputable segment champion, Toyota Innova. The Lodgy went on sale back in 2012 in the European continent after making its first appearance at the Geneva Motor Show. It’s originally retailed through Dacia brand name, subsidiary of Renault, known for making affordable cars. To put it better, Dacia is to Renault what Datsun is to Nissan. Since Lodgy is manufactured on the same platform on which the Duster is based, it only made the idea of introducing this car here more feasible. On the other hand, it’s worth noting that some redesigning bits have been carried out by Renault Global Design Center in Mumbai to suit our local market taste.
First things first. Let these pictures not deceive you. Going by the Indian standards, Renault Lodgy is certainly not one of those compact MUVs. It’s a fairly large and mature people-mover with size easily comparable with that of an Innova. The only instant turn off for potential buyers could be the van-like boxy dimensions, unlike the Innova’s sleek and car-like shape. Believe it or not, this factor alone, whether consciously or unconsciously, affects numerous buyers. Nobody likes to be seen driving around in a mini-bus after all. Though if you can bear the looks, the good part is that this design ends up making the Lodgy one of the most practical vehicles in its segment as far as interior space utilization is concerned. And that’s what MPVs are for anyways.
You read it right. Lodgy’s third row is indeed much more usable than most of its existing competitors. But we’ll get more into that later. This Renault boasts of a considerably longer wheelbase among rivals. i.e. 2810 mm. That’s larger than the Toyota Innova (2750 mm), Mahindra Xylo (2760), Nissan Evalia (2725 mm) but 40 mm shorter than Tata Aria. With a height and length of 1697 mm and 4498 mm respectively, it falls somewhere on the average mark for typical MPVs. Like most European cars, Renault designers have gladly kept unnecessary elements out of the frame. That’s why despite of having a blatantly rectangular structure, Lodgy still appeals to the eyes of onlookers because of an overall understated and pleasant character. Indian version features an attractively redesigned radiator grille with neat chrome streaks while the innocent headlamps incorporate a slot right above indicators what Renault allegedly calls “daytime running lamps”.
These so-called DRLs are no fancy LEDs but merely regular bulbs. Furnished at the bottom half of front bumper are round foglamps with chrome surrounds, situated very close to the lower radiator grille. Additionally, use of a thick black stripe at the extreme lower ends of both, front as well as rear bumpers aids the Lodgy to visually shed some of its mass. Side profile is pretty unfussy with split front and rear shoulder lines that curve down on the fenders. Third quarter portion appears bulky but by no means as odd as of the milk van like Mahindra Xylo or Nissan Evalia (pun-intended). Renault has smartly minimized this aspect through use of a slanting roofline which not only helps look-wise but from an aerodynamic perspective too. Nicely integrated black roof rails further add to the appeal. There’s virtually no use of chrome on this angle of car except for that on fat door rub-guards. Now look closely and you’ll find some of the bits borrowed from Duster.
Take the door handles, side indicators or outside rear view mirrors for example. But unlike Duster, the door handles and outside rear view mirrors are body colored, not silver painted. Given the increasing use of pull-type door handles on new cars, flap-type door handles on Lodgy not only look old fashioned but also feel unconventional to operate. Plus, the keyhole is only on the driver’s side (Duster has it on passenger side too). The standard 15” five spoke alloy wheels design is rather plain-jane. We believe that a set of stunning aftermarket alloys will seriously enhance appeal of Lodgy’s side view. On the back, you'll find a set of uniquely designed taillamps that reflect arrow in motion. The boot door is absolutely flat with no curves and creases whatsoever other than around registration number plate.
The rear windscreen is sufficiently wide and add to that parking sensors + camera, reversing the Lodgy even in congested streets is not a big task. As a case on all the Renault models, the car’s name is embossed right in the middle of chrome stripe above registration plate area. Then there’s another unwanted chrome stripe on the boot lip, labeled as tailgate embellisher. However, something that I wouldn’t want to miss mentioning is remarkable paint quality on Lodgy. It becomes more evident under direct sunlight when finer paint grains reflect and look premium (even on our white color car). That apparently "black" Lodgy in the pictures is not black but in fact a dark shade of purple in which our Nissan Sunny 2014 test car was painted too (
Nissan Sunny 2014 Review & Pictures: Sunny Days Ahead).
You now get the idea. Fun part is, monocoque chassis remains rock solid at three digit high speeds, giving abundant confidence to push further and further. 85 PS can go as high as 163 Kmph and the top speed of 110 PS is 170 Kmph. This really ain’t your sprint machine though but Lodgy manages 0 – 100 Kmph in about decent 12 seconds. Nonetheless, never mistake to go beyond legal speed limits on public roads. Remember, at the end of the day, it's an MPV.![[thumbsup]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Thumbs%20Up.png "Thumbs Up [thumbsup]")
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