This is the Renault Pulse. And it is the French carmaker’s smallest, most affordable car in India. The Pulse will be priced at Rs 4.5 lakh, ex-showroom in Delhi, for the base version when it goes on sale two months from now in January following the Auto Expo. The most expensive version of the car will retail for under Rs 6.5 lakh and will be loaded. It will come with keyless entry and start, a digital climate control system, power steering, power windows all round and electric ORVMs. It will also get a stereo that will play most formats and hopefully will also get Bluetooth and controls for the stereo on the steering. We say hopefully, because the Pulse engines with the Nissan. Needless to say, the Pulse too will come with two engines – the petrol will be a 1.2-litre three-cylinder 76bhp unit while the diesel will be four-cylinder 64bhp 1.5-litre motor.
Inside, the Pulse is almost identical to the Micra. So, it has a similar design for the dash, the clocks as well as for the various control knobs and buttons. Even the inside door handles are similar. This also means the occupant and luggage space on offer will be similar to the Nissan. Given that the Micra isn’t short on space, both front and rear, compared to its competition, this should work in the Pulse’s favour. Renault officials however say the launch car will have a few more distinguishing features, but these might not necessarily be design related.
