Renault Fluence

Renault Fluence
Overview
Manufacturer	Renault
Also called	Renault Samsung SM3
Production	2009–present
Assembly	Argentina: Santa Isabel (Renault Argentina) India: Chennai (Renault India) Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur (TCMA) Russia: Moscow (Renault Russia) South Korea: Busan (Renault Samsung) Turkey: Bursa (Oyak-Renault)
Body and chassis
Class	Family car
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Platform	Renault C platform
Related	Renault Mégane III
Powertrain
Engine	1.5 L I4 dCi 1.6 L I4 2.0 L I4 2.0 L turbo (GT line) 70 kW (94 hp)
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed manual 6-speed automatic CVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,702 mm (106.4 in)
Length	4,618 mm (181.8 in)
Width	1,809 mm (71.2 in)
Height	1,478 mm (58.2 in)
Curb weight	1,225–1,277 kg (2,701–2,815 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Renault Mégane II (sedan)

The Renault Fluence is a family car produced by the French automaker Renault. The car is built at the Oyak-Renault plant in Bursa, Turkey, and the Santa Isabel factory, in Cordoba, Argentina, for Latin America. For the Australian market, the Fluence is sourced from the Renault Samsung Motors factory in Busan, South Korea.

Design

Rear view

Revealed in August 2009,^[1] the Fluence is based on the Renault/Nissan C platform but it is sized between the compact family saloon C-segment and the upper-medium segment.^[2][3]

The Mégane range featured a "three-box" notchback sedan variant until 2008, but this was never a big seller and when, at the end of that year, the Mégane III was introduced, there was no notch-back version. It is the gap in the range left by the removal of this model from the Franco-Spanish assembled Mégane range that the Fluence fills in those markets in the company's western European heartland, such as France, Italy, Belgium, Ireland and, since August 2010, Germany, where Renault offers it.

The Renault Fluence is also badged as Renault Samsung SM3. The Renault Samsung car was first presented at the Seoul Motor Show in April 2009 and the rebadged Renault Fluence went on sale in November 2009.

The model has first been offered with two gasoline engines: a 1.6-liter 110 hp (82 kW) and a 2-liter 140 hp (104 kW) that can get an optional CVT. The diesel variant is equipped with a 1.5-liter dCi engine, offered in 85, 90, 105 and 110 hp (82 kW) versions, fitted with Diesel particulate filter, and with the 110 hp (82 kW) version fitted to Renault's new dual clutch transmission, called EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch).^[4] A Renault Sport version has been offered in Brasil, named Fluence GT, using a 2.0-liter 180 hp (134 kW) named Renault TCe 180 associated with a 6-Speed Manual Gearbox. The Curb weight for 1.5-liter dCi starts from 1145 kg & gasoline engines 1.6-liter, 2-liter starts from 1056, 1080 kg.

Renault Fluence facelift

Facelift

As of 2012, the Renault Fluence was facelifted, during Istanbul Motor Show; with the new Renault corporate grille, standard projector style headlights and a few minor changes. In 2015 the facelifted model was advertised with a new light cluster at the rear, including LED brake lights^[5]

Fluence Z.E.

Renault Fluence Z.E.
Overview
Also called	Renault Samsung SM3 Z.E. Dongfeng Fenguno E300
Production	2011–2013 (Turkey) 2013–present (South Korea)
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon
Powertrain
Electric motor	Synchronous motor 226 N·m (167 lb·ft)
Battery	22 kWh lithium-ion battery

Renault revealed an electric version of the Fluence at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. This is one of the vehicles in the Renault Z.E. program of electric vehicles. At the same show Better Place announced the Renault Fluence Z.E. would be the first electric car with a switchable battery available on the network of battery swap charging stations that it is developing in Israel and elsewhere.^[6]

The Fluence Z.E is outfitted with a 22 kWh lithium-ion battery which allows a total all-electric range of 160 km (99 mi), with speeds up to 135 km/h (84 mph).^[7] Sales of the Fluence Z.E. are scheduled for 2011 in Israel, Denmark and the rest of Europe,^[7] and for 2012 in the rest of the world such as Asia. At the end of 2013, Renault announced that the Fluence Z.E. ceased to be manufactured in Turkey.^[8] It is produced with the Renault Samsung badge for the Asia - Pacific region only.

Concept

Renault Fluence Concept
Overview
Manufacturer	Renault
Designer	Patrick le Quément
Body and chassis
Class	Luxury car
Body style	2-door coupé
Related	Renault Laguna
Powertrain
Engine	3.5 L V6
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Length	4,600 mm (181.1 in)
Width	1,890 mm (74.4 in)
Height	1,390 mm (54.7 in)
Curb weight	1,500 kg (3,307 lb)

In 2004, Renault presented a 2+2 concept coupé, named Fluence and designed by then Renault chief designer Patrick le Quément, with a length similar to that of the Renault Laguna.^[9] It was shown on June 4, 2004, at the Louis Vuitton Car Elegance Classic in England, and at the Mondial de l'Automobile 2004.

The Fluence uses Valeo LED headlights that are angled according to the steering wheel position. An ingenious aspect of the Fluence's exterior design is its V-shaped rear that gives access to the trunk in an unconventional way; an articulated piston mounted in the centre of the trunk lid slides the back up into the roof. The inside of the trunk is upholstered with "Margaux Red" cloth and has a volume of 396 dm³.

In the interior, every seat is fixed to a single rail; the arm-rests on the doors are also fixed to a rail, and are enclosed to the adjustment of the seats. The dashboard is similar to the one of the Renault Talisman. It has a joystick so the driver can access different functions of the vehicle and view them on a retractable LCD screen.

Several brands, including Michelin and Recaro, were involved with the development of the Fluence. For example, Michelin contributed tires with PAX technology (similar to Runflat), BS tooling manufactured the 22 in aerodynamic alloy wheels, and Recaro developed the seats.

Worldwide release

Middle East & North Africa

The Renault Fluence went on sale in the GCC countries such as the United Arab Emirates as a 2011 model. Imported from Korea, there are two engines available, the 1.6-liter with a manual or CVT, and a 2.0-liter with a CVT.^[10]

Egypt

Renault-Nissan group put the HR16DE engine in Fluence sold in Egypt, Which produces 114 ps (112 Hp) connected to a CVT gearbox

China

Since Renault's return to China in 2009, it offers the Korea-sourced Fluence.

Mexico

Renault sells in Mexico, the Korea-sourced Fluence with 3 trim levels. All of them with the 2.0 L engine with a manual 6 speed gearbox or the automatic CVT transmission.

Malaysia

Renault sells Fluence in Malaysia from May 2014, Assembly in Malaysia by TC Euro Car. Come with 2.0-liter engine and the automatic CVT transmission.

References

1. "Renault Fluence: New Compact Sedan for Russia, Turkey and Romania, and perhaps the US as a Saturn". Carscoop.blogspot.com. 2009-08-31. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
2. "About Renault Fluence" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-06-18.
3. Renault Fluence at netcarshow.com
4. Renault Fluence at autoevolution.com
5. "Keep in style - New FLUENCE - Passenger vehicles - Renault Range - Renault UAE - Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait". renault-me.com.
6. "Better Place at the 2009 International Motor Show". Better Place. 2009-09-15. Archived from the original on September 30, 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-19.
7. "Renault Unveils Finalized Designs of Fluence Z.E. and Kangoo Express Z.E.; Opens Pre-Reservations". Green Car Congress. 2010-04-15. Retrieved 2010-04-18.
8. "Renault moves all Fluence ZE production to Korea". Green.autoblog.com. 2014-02-04. Retrieved 2014-03-18.
9. "The Renault Fluence" (in German). Stern.de. 2004-06-05. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
10. "Renault Fluence 2011 officially in UAE showrooms - DriveArabia.com". DriveArabia.

External links

Media related to Renault Fluence at Wikimedia Commons

• Official website