In spite of the SUV bandwagon, we still have genuine car buyers who prefer a luxurious sedan over an SUV. Renault seems to be interested in this space and after the departure of the Fluence, Renault is evaluating if they can introduce the Megane sedan in the Indian market.
Based on the popular Megane hatchback, the Megane sedan was developed alongside the hatch and doesn’t come as an afterthought. At 4.63m in length, it competes with the entry-level D-segment cars like the Skoda Octavia, the Hyundai Elantra and the Toyota Corolla Altis. In its global annual report, Renault has stated that their strategy of introducing new products has worked in the subcontinent which indicated the likelihood of new cars coming to India.
The Megane Sedan comes with a 1.6-litre naturally petrol engine that develops 115bhp and a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol that develops 130bhp of power. It also get the 1.5-litre dCI engine in two states of tune, 90bhp and 110bhp setups, like we get in the Renault Duster in India.
Renault has already announced the Kaptur for India and we think they might also bring the Symbol to replace the ageing Scala in the C-segment. The introduction of the Megane Sedan would ideally strengthen their portfolio in the premium segments. If Renault decides to bring this car to India, we think it might happen in the latter half of 2018.