Most Fluence sales were made during the state scrappage scheme which ended in June, writes Trish Whelan. But Renault Ireland has extended and doubled its scrappage scheme, giving customers the opportunity to continue to save up to €5,800 on every 2001 registered car. The Fluence Royale Diesel, as a result, is available from €16,000.
The car fits somewhere between Megane and Laguna in the brand's range. The review car is the 1.5 dCi 110hp TomTom Version of the Renault Fluence equipped with the company's 6-speed dual clutch automated gearbox, in Band A for annual road tax (partly due to the transmission which is very efficient, helping reduce fuel consumption) and with an RRP price of €25,000 less the current Renault discounts. But you can get into a Fluence at the far lower cost of €18,890 also less the current Renault discounts. So what do you get for your money?
You do get a lot of bang for your buck as the Fluence is packed with goodies. Even the basic entry level car is generously loaded with, as standard, six airbags, ESP with Traction Control, ABS with Emergency Brake Assist, dual pretensioners in front seat, front anti-whiplash headrests, cruise control with speed limiter, air conditioning, central locking, on-board computer, fog lights, 16-inch alloys, and Isofix seat mounting points on the two side seats in the rear, to name but some of the features. An electric sunroof is one of the many options offered.
The cabin is spacious enough for five adults (including knee room); seats are nice and comfy holding you well. Overall, the dash is a little on the spartan side, but with some silver. Dials, overlooked by a large binnacle, show your current speed in large digital figures which is a real boon to most drivers.
Given that the engine was a 1.5 diesel, I found the gear changes were quick and worked best if you pedalled enthuastically. But when taking off from a stand still or turning a corner slowly, there was a distinct hesitation until the system decided what gear it should be in. (There are 5-speed manuals available also which might suit some drivers better than the automatic version).
Driving the car on the highway proved fine, but on twisting back roads with poor surfaces it tended to wallow a bit and get fidgetty. Steering is on the soft side and there's little driver feel from the wheel, which I missed. Also, when you press the accelerator, there's a whirring sound from the engine which was distracting.
My car had sun blinds for better protection from sunglare appreciated by the little ones on board and which also give more privacy for those in the rear seats. The car is operated by a hands-free Renault card. Just keep it on you or in your bag as the car unlocks and starts automatically with no need to insert the card into its slot on the dash.
The Carminat TomTom incorporated a 5.8-inch colour screen which gives detailed maps including a birds-eye view display. You can also hook up your digital, personal music player using the USB and iPod sockets and manage the system using the controls on the steering wheel - the MP3 compatible radio system is adapted to most Bluetooth mobile phones.
Cubbies include a decent refrigerated glovebox, good sized door bins, map pockets and a rear central arm rest with cup holders. The boot is large and there's a spare wheel below the floor. A waterproof boot container can be used to carry wet or dirty materials. It's easy to remove and you can hose it down.
The test car's sporty looking wheels didn't quite gel with the exterior style of the car. But that's a personal taste.
A car that will suit a growing family's needs, or one in which to commute to work. And the fuel needle moves so slowly.
