Fanciful Fluence

In spite of its middle-of-the-road market share and the fact that it already has models on sale in Nigeria, Renault added a newcomer, Fluence, to its range.

When the newcomer, which is available in three different guises, showed up recently at the Motor Show in Abuja, someone suggested that the name was the brainchild of the same group of gurus at Renault’s head office who came up with names such as Koleos and Logan.

However, the Fluence is also a good value for money offering, not only price-wise (particularly at entry level), but also in terms of space, comfort, safety and technology.

It certainly has touches of French flair and hints of elegance at the front end of the car, but overall Fluence looks good. Renault claims the Fluence provides a “distinctive and highly attractive alternative to the established, and typically conservative, mainstream contenders” in the C-segment sedan class.

This is debatable, particularly when one compares it to Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruz, Mazda, the new Jetta, Toyota and others of the same ilk. Like the above, Fluence is a compact family sedan which will serve the more conservative end of the market quite well. It will no doubt also have some appeal for car rental companies, company fleet car buyers and government departments.

Fluence is certainly spacious enough to claim best-in-class measurements for shoulder and elbow room for both front and rear seat occupants, and it also has a generous boot.