It is that time of the year when auto writers from across the world visit Geneva.
Some lucky ones do so physically, while the rest, less lucky ones, do so mentally. Being a member of the latter group this time, I am lost in reveries of what it would be like at the Geneva Motor Show 2015. This feeling of missing something (or someone) leaves the heart aching.
Nevertheless, I write on the new face-lifted Renault Pulse. And, that I should be forgiven for overlooking what it is, considering mentally, I am caught up in the many beautiful cars and concepts getting unveiled at the mega event.
Holding back on my Pulse I look at her standing by me. And she is not commanding in the least. In fact, she is quite silent and meek. For the designing of the exterior, Renault, the French car maker, hasn’t added much to the facelift model. So, barring the new automatic headlamps, there isn’t much new on the face. And, no there isn’t much new under the hood either. Going by the same tech specs as before, it has been launched with a 1.5 litre diesel engine that produces 64PS of peak power with 160 Nm of torque. There is also a 1.2 litre petrol engine that churns out 76 PS and 104 Nm of torque. Both the motors come paired to a 5-speed manual transmission.
Well, as I declared above, I shall sway a bit to mention that Renault is riding high on the success of Duster. What with the other models not doing well. Renault, nevertheless launched its new Duster in the ongoing motor show. And so, it hopes to follow suit with its other models.
The Pulse 2015 launch here in India, it seems, is an endeavour in that direction.
Clearly so, Sumit Sawhney, Country CEO and Managing Director, Renault India Operations, shared, “Pulse is an important part of our product portfolio and we have made several product enhancements to make the 2015 Pulse even more attractive and exciting for customers. We have topped this with competitive pricing backed with an attractive finance option which adds to its value proposition, making it one of the strongest offerings in the premium hatchback segment.”
So, the new features in the cabin of Pulse are what the manufacturer has concentrated on. A new dual tone dashboard with a piano black finish, steering mounted controls and a height adjustable driver’s seat is on offer. Further, there are features like smart key access with engine start-stop button, auto folding outside rear view mirrors, 2 DIN music system with Bluetooth and USB. On the safety front, the 2015 Pulse gets ABS+EBD, dual airbags and crash sensors.
A price tag of Rs 5.03 lakhs (ex-showroom price Delhi) does well to fit the Pulse into your budget, but I choose to overlook that. For it never sets you pulsating. For, it is the motor show that has taken hold of me. In the end, I choose to concentrate on just that.
