Renault has lifted the wraps off its updated Fluence ahead of the car’s Istanbul Motor Show debut and well before its arrival on our market during the second quarter of 2013.
The most prominent aspect of the update is the frontal treatment, which sees the compact saloon borrowing some cues from the new Clio with a sweeping gloss black grille, revised swept-back headlamps and LED daytime running lights. The rear also sees some mild tweaks to the brakelamps.
Inside, the Fluence now features new upholstery options, a digital instrument cluster and (for certain markets) an updated sat-nav/infotainment system.
For certain markets, the update also ushers in a new 1,6-litre, 16-valve petrol engine coupled with a CVT transmission. Developing 85 kW, this unit will return an average fuel consumption figure of 6,4 L/100 km and CO2 emissions of 146 g/km. A brace of diesels; a dCi EDC with a dual-clutch transmission and a new 1,6 dCi capable of returning an average fuel consumption of 4,6 L/100 km, are also being offered in selected markets.
From a local perspective, the Fluence engine line-up has yet to be confirmed, but there’s a chance that the existing powerplants (1,6-litre petrol with 81 kW/156 N.m and 2,0-litre petrol with 105 kW/195 N.m) could be retained for the new car when it arrives on our market in April 2013.
