Overview:
Logan is one of the cars which have created much anticipation in Indian automotive industry. Logan is one of the cheapest car ever produced by an european manufacturer but when comes to India Renault is able to save 15% of the estimated cost. Mahindra has helped Renault not only to cut down the cost but also to launch ahead of Maruti Suzuki SX4. Mahindra Renault has launched Logan in India with three engine options and both the partners have great expectations for the Logan. In India already the mid segment market is dominated by Hyundai verna, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai accent, Honda city, Tata indigo, Maruti baleno and entry level sedan Ford Ikon and Maruti Esteem. Will the Logan give its peers a jitter? Let’s see…
Engine and Fuel efficiency:
Indian petrol Logan is fitted 1.4L, 75hp and 1.6L, 84.5hp engine whereas the diesel is powered by 1.5L, 65hp CRDi (Common Rail Direct Injection). Instead of 105bhp 1.6L engine Renault has choosen less powered 84.5bhp, 1.6L petrol engine for India also the Indian diesel variant is de-powered by 5hp than its European counterparts but still torquier than most of its indian peers. But petrol logan is less powered and less torquier when compared to Fiesta, City, Accent, verna and Indigo. Mahindra earlier created an entry level SUV segment with its bolero and I believe it intends to follow the same with petrol Logan. Mahindra’s petrol Logan in sub mid segment category will take on match Ford Ikon and premium hatchbacks like Getz and Swift. At the same time its diesel Logan will take on true mid segment cars. Company officials claim that the Indian version of Logan is a fuel-efficient vehicle. The company claims it will return an average of 16 to 19 km per litre in Common Rail Diesel engine and 10-13 km per litre with petrol engine.
Design and Dimensions:
Already the European logan is the most spacious sedan of its class, the indian logan is wider by 7mm than its European version. Really Mahindra Renault Logan is the wide-body car if you want a spacious car then you can blindly choose Logan, no other car in its class can match its spacious nature. But Logan will struck with Indian roads because of its 155mm ground clearance. I don’t know why if luxury makers like BMW is raising ground clearance and tweaking suspension for its Indian variants, then why a low cost maker like Mahindra – Renault brings the same vehicle to the deterring Indian roads.
Engineering and Pricing:
Logan comes in 1.4L GL/GLE, 1.6L GLS and DLE/DLS 1.5 diesel variant. GL is the base variant while GLS/DLS is the premium variant. Features such as rear defogger, power windows, glove box light, trunk room light and rear head restraints are found only in premium variant. Logan’s much praised air conditioning will face a tough battle with Indian summer. LCD display Instrument cluster features gauges which is seen in all cars, a computer which calculates average consumption, average speed and distance to empty is only for premium drivers.
Safety and Security:
For this money logan offers airbag for driver apart from the honeycomb dashboard which protects you in case of front impact and cross member at the rear which protects you in case of rear impact. Every manufacturer should follow this kind of safety feature and must protect Indians as Europeans. Remote door locking and central locking are only for premium buyers. Remote fuel lid opener is standard in all variants but there is no remote boot control even for premium customers.
Colours:
The Logan will be available in six colours, namely Toreador Red, Fiery Black, Sahara Beige, Mist Silver, Turf Green and Diamond White (as opposed to our prediction).
Pricing:
The price of the 1.4 litre and 1.6 litre petrol versions of Logan will start from Rs 428,000 (ex-Mumbai), while the 1.5 litre diesel versions will be available in the range of Rs 547,000 and Rs 644,000 (ex-Mumbai). The ex-Delhi price of the Logan will start at Rs 435,000 to Rs 576,000 for the two petrol variants and Rs 554,000 and Rs 651,000 for the two diesel variants. Logan is very reasonably priced and is sure to give trouble to other manufacturers. At present other manufacturers denied announcing any price discounts but expecting this in near future.
Verdict:
Yes, the true champ is here! The 1.4L petrol Logan may lure customers of Ford Ikon and 1.5L CRDi diesel variant will give Ford’s, Honda and Tata a Jitter. Regarding the 1.6L petrol logan Mahindra –Renault may target Fiat Palio stile 1.6L sport hatchback, but to match other mid size cars like Honda city it has to revamp Logan to get a decent response. It is true that Mahindra – Renault has brought India a great car but I believe they have made it in a hurry – the poor ground clearance may spoil its ambitious plans. Also it is evident from www.mahindrarenault.com I am able find different dimensions for the same logan
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Logan
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Breadth(mm
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Height(mm)
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Tech spec section
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1742
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1525
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Features—Comfort section
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1740
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1534
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Expected Launches:
Ford will launch new Fiesta which will feature a 1.6L Duratorq oil burner which will generate 90PS@4000rpm and a torque of 204Nm@1750rpm to take on Logan. But the real battle for the Logan will be with SX4 sedan from India’s true leader Maruti.
