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Renault Scala launched at Rs 6.99 lakh, to compete with Hyundai Verna and Skoda Rapid

Renault’s fifth and final product (which the company had promised to launch in a time span of 18 months) has been unleashed today. The uncovering ceremony was done today at the Delhi’s posh hotel, ITC Maurya Shareton. The launch event was fraught with shutterbugs and reporters trying to catch the first glimpse of the premium sedan. Launch was done in the presence of Mr. Marc Nassif, the MD of Renault India, along with him were other senior officials from the company who graced the occasion.

The Renault Scala sedan has been launched in total 5 variants that include 3 petrol and 2 diesel engine variants. The petrol powered Scala comes in RXE, RXL and RXL AT while diesel engine version is available in RXL and RXZ. The petrol RXL AT variant is expected to be launched in November this year. All these variants are offered in five stunning sheds including Solid Black, Metallic Red, Metallic Silver, Pearl White and Metallic Blue.

Renault Scala Price table

Renault Scala RXE (Petrol) = INR 6.99 Lakh

Renault Scala RXL (Petrol) =  INR 7.85 Lakh

Renault Scala RXL (Diesel) = INR 8.69 Lakh

Renault Scala RXZ (Diesel) = INR 9.57 Lakh

Renault Scala RXL petrol variant with AT might be launched in November this year.

Now that Scala is in the arena to fight out with the competitors what remains to be seen is how the itinerary for the sedan will take off in the domestic market. Renault Scala has landed up at a time when there are quite a few hot rivals already doing pretty well in the C+ segment. Though, the pricing has been done smartly, but it would still play a vital role in deciding whether the sedan will be able to outshine its rivals which are proffered at nearly same price range or not. Scala sedan which is a new born baby in the C+ segment has to make a steep way to overcome hurdles like Hyundai Verna sedan and Skoda Rapid sedan to make its identity amid such successful cars.

Indubitably, Renault Scala has mesmerizing looks (which are a little different from Sunny) that push it in the premium sedan segment. Cosmetic treatment has been given by the Renault designers at the Mumbai office to make it look slightly different from Sunny. What is new is the angular grille, redesigned head lights and the presence of chrome linings around the windows and at the rear make the appearance of the sedan neater.

However, the inclusion of these cosmetic touch ups would not make it the best looking sedan but it is definitely a strong contender which can turn things around for Renault. Skoda Rapid on the other hand has a brand attached to it which signifies the luxury quotient and high quality of the sedan, the name Skoda before Rapid makes all the difference here. The Fabia front-end enhances the looks of the sedan and make it look considerably good. Hyundai’s fluidic design has worked as a magic mantra for its cars, ever since it bestowed the flexuous design on its vehicles things went upside down (in positive manner) for its cars. A perfect epitome of this is Hyundai Verna sedan which earlier possessed naive looks that rendered it a bleak appeal leaving onlookers bored. However, the fluidic version of the sedan has worked wonders for the car maker with immense popularity turning into high monthly sales. Therefore in the looks department, Verna does emerge victorious.

On the interior front, Scala scores high with the presence of leather interiors giving a premium feel to the passengers. The capacious rear seat legroom adds to the comfort level of the passengers. The interiors are done nicely that gives an edge to the sedan over Sunny. Renault Scala petrol is proffered in base trim and mid-level trim only however there is no dearth of features. The rear AC vents add on to the comfort of the sedan; however the lack of steering mounted controls for the audio does pinch, nevertheless on the whole, the sedan has pretty impressive interiors. Skoda Rapid petrol on the other hand also comes equipped with decent interiors. A downsized version of Vento, Rapid flaunts a two-tone dashboard that is the highlight of the sedan. Seats covered in cloth bring down the luxury quotient a bit, however the rest of the things do make up for the lousy seat covers and help make it look decent. One thing which is common in Scala and Rapid, is the lack of steering mounted audio controls.

Korean car maker Hyundai, on the other hand has used high quality plastic material inside the sedan that gives it a premium feel.  Use of light colours and a well laid out dashboard render a high class look to the interiors of the sedan. Reverse parking camera and Bluetooth enabled stereo system are some of the other impressive features available in Verna making it one of the best choices in C+ segment.

Power generated by the motors housed in the cars is one way of measuring the sturdiness of the vehicle. Scala which is a new player in the C+ segment grunts a high power of 99 Bhp with petrol engine and 86PS with diesel motor. Verna and Rapid on the other hand engender more than 100 Bhp, therefore clearly Scala is a little laid back here (marginally). Coming down to the fuel economy of these sedans, Scala snatches the trophy from Verna and Rapid with 16.95 kms a litre fuel economy from petrol version and 21.65 kmpl from diesel version (mileage figures are ARAI certified). Rapid and Verna are a tad behind with a fuel efficiency of only 12 to 12.5 kmpl.

Whether or not Scala will be able to outnumber these sedans is now to be decided by the customers only. The booking numbers will only clear the air within the next few days to come. Scala is a good looking sedan that proffers decent features at a competitive price; however the diesel version is expected to get ample of takers as compared to the petrol version for obvious reasons. The sedan’s fate will be decided in the Indian car market in the coming few days.