New Car: 2013 Renault Symbol

Renault owned Dacia, with its pioneering low cost car Logan and an expanding range, has been very successful. It helps that in places where the Dacia brand is not known, or won’t work, parent Renault slaps on its diamond badge to good effect.

This new Renault Symbol, essentially a new Logan with a Renault face, is such an example. A Renault-badged Logan isn’t a new idea, but it’s a shift for the Renault Symbol, which is currently a standalone sedan based on old Clio mechanicals. I’ve seen quite a few of them in North Africa, where French brands rule.

Like the new Logan, this car can be had with toys previously unheard of. Renault Media Nav multimedia navigation system with a seven-inch touchscreen colour display, USB, Bluetooth, cruise control with speed limiter are all offered, along with 60/40-split folding rear seats.

Modern Euro 5 engines are available. The TCe 90 is is a three-cylinder 898 cc petrol unit with an ultra-low-inertia turbocharger plus VVT. The small engine makes 90 hp and 135 Nm, and 90% of the latter is available from just 1,650 rpm. 18.9 km/l fuel economy and emissions of 122g CO2/km are highlights.

On the diesel front, the dCi 75 and dCi 90 diesel engines boast fuel consumption that goes as low as 3.9 litres per 100 km or 25.6 km/l.

This new Symbol, shown at the Istanbul Motor Show, is scheduled to go on sale in Turkey at the beginning of 2013, before being released in Algeria and Tunisia. I can see it as a good basic car for Asean markets, too, being so robust and fuel efficient, but a Japanese badge is required.

Thanks to: Paultan