Introduction

Most manufacturers try to lure customers with a flagship in their showrooms. Renault has already done that and now it is taking the other route. The company has adopted alliance partner Nissan’s V-platform, on which the Micra is based, and is soon going to launch it as the Pulse.

Looks and interiors

The Pulse gets a new bumper, in tune with the modern Renault design philosophy. As a result the headlight of the Micra has been reshaped and so has the bezel. Then you have the Renault badge nailed on to the bumper. The next change comes in form of a new rear bumper, which gets design inserts. The Renault badge is new here and the Pulse logo takes up a considerable portion of the tail gate. In profile, the Pulse gets new wheels that add to the sportiness of the hatchback, along with the smart spoiler which of course is an optional extra.

Inside, again the Pulse is identical to the Micra. The dash, centre console, instrument panel and even the steering wheel are the same, except for Renault badge. Not that we are complaining as the set up is smart and continues to be easy to use. However we expected it to be slightly different from the Micra. Nevertheless, it makes good business sense I guess. The seats are comfy and rear passengers won’t complain about space either. The boot too is spacious.

The drive

Under the bonnet resides the famed 1.5-litre dCI common rail diesel engine. It is a smooth operator and is sure to offer phenomenal fuel efficiency. While official test figures will be found out once we put it on our Road Test fuel run, the trip computer read out 15.9kmpl no matter how we drove it. Indeed, on our way back, on the open expressway, the computer added another 1kmpl to this figure.

On the move, the Pulse is surely not a drag racer, but it gets to speed gradually and without making much fuss. One can cruise all day long at 130kmph and there will be nothing to complain. Even in the city, there’s minimal requirement of shifting through the gears, thanks to the oodles of torque which kicks in at a low 2000rpm. The car feels stable at high speeds and we are sure that it can handle much more power than the 64bhp, which it offers in the Pulse. However, above the 2000rpm mark it does get a bit noisy, much in tune with other diesel engines.

The suspension too felt just right absorbing most of the undulations on the road. The steering on the other hand is light but does offer feedback at high speeds.

Verdict

The Pulse is identical to the Nissan Micra, which in any case is a good car. However, in the process, what has gone missing is the identity of Renault in the Pulse. Sure you have the signature two-tier grille, etc. But the company could have indulged a bit more seriously on the redesigning of the car. Especially in the interiors department. However, if the French brand prices it right, not many customers will mind its design similarities with the Micra as it offers the same value as the latter, along with European snob value.