Scaling Scala AT

There is a surge in number of automatic cars in the Indian market, not just in the premium segments but also in the hatchback and entry-level sedan segment. And there is nothing wrong with that if you look at the traffic conditions in metros across the country. Of course, the automatic transmission is still considered to be a luxury feature, available only with the top-end versions and in some cases it has helped certain brands establish themselves as premium products in the segment.

Renault’s new Xtronic CVT looks like a similar attempt to position itself as a premium product in the segment. The Duster has given the French manufacturer recognition and it is now time to consolidate its image across segments. The ads around Formula1 looked like a part of the plan and so does the new Scala automatic.

At first glance, the Scala AT looks like its manual counterpart. Apart from a tiny CVT badge at the rear there is no visible difference between the two. The Scala is basically a decked-up version of the Nissan Sunny of with plenty of chrome and an aggressive hexagonal grille at the front. The inside has not been changed much either – it is still a roomy place with a circular theme and dash of chrome. The few things different on the inside are the AT gear, additions to the instrument cluster to indicate drive modes and the missing clutch lever.

In city traffic the Xtronic CVT feels at home. Get-off the brake and Scala starts rolling gently; at low engine speeds the sedan is quick to respond to throttle inputs and makes going through traffic easy. Be gentle and the gearbox chooses ratios wisely keeping the revs between 1500 and 2000rpm for maximum efficiency. In fact the ARAI fuel efficiency is one of the highlights; the Scala AT returns 17.97kmpl – that is actually more than the claimed 16.95kmpl of the manual.

There is sufficient grunt at the low revs for a quick overtake if you are doing around 25kph. The short-comings are visible only on the highways. On a single lane highway you have to think twice before making an overtaking move – here the typical ‘rubber-band’ effect of CVTs is prominent. Floor the accelerator and the rpm climbs up, but it takes a little more time to select the right ratio and the result is loss of valuable seconds and more importantly petrol! The only plus point here is that the 1.5-litre four-cylinders make a really nice sound. When pushed hard the needle stops just short of 6,000rpm redline before selecting the next ratio.

Like most CVTs, the Xtronic also has a ‘Low’ mode that is meant to offer more torque through a lower programmed ratio. This does help during overtaking and also offers much better engine braking. Another interesting feature of this gearbox is the ‘Sport’ mode – press an almost unnoticeable small button on the side of the gear shifter will activate this mode. Here the ECU will give you a few more revs in each ratio and in turn help you build those revs quickly when needed. It also holds revs for bit more time making the car feel a lot livelier. Then there is a small Shift Lock Release button on the panel to help you release the car from Park mode in case the battery doesn’t have enough juice to start the engine.

The Xtronic is basically Nissan technology common in their global models including the premium ones like the Teana. The Japanese car maker has opted for CVTs over other types of automatic transmissions for years and their experience is visible here. Of course, this is nowhere close to dual clutch systems available on international models, but compared to of the VW Vento, Skoda Rapid and Hyundai Verna the Xtronic is much better.

From a buyer’s perspective, the Scala AT is available only with petrol engine making it viable only if the daily commute is less than 50km. And if the need is of a spacious C-segment sedan with a premium touch, then there is hardly anything to choose from – the Scala is economical (probably not as much as the ARAI figures, as CVTs perform exceptionally well under test conditions), big and yet easy to drive. However, look at the Honda City or Ford Fiesta if your commute to be the most fun moments of the day.