Renault Fluence

Renault Fluence at a glance

The Fluence is longer and roomier than a typical compact hatchback, which places it between the compact and mid-size classes. It shares its platform and many components with the Mégane III. Renault's story is told in the history of Renault, and its range, from the Logan to the Koleos, is in the Renault catalogue.

From concept to Bursa production

A concept car previewed the Fluence in 2004. The production saloon was revealed in August 2009 and went into production at Oyak-Renault in Bursa, Turkey. The Renault Samsung SM3 twin was shown at the Seoul Motor Show in April 2009 and went on sale in November 2009. Renault facelifted the Fluence in November 2012, unveiling it at the Istanbul Motor Show with the new corporate grille and projector headlights. A second update in 2015 added new LED brake lights. Production in Bursa ended in 2016, and the Mégane Sedan, unveiled on 12 July 2016, replaced it. The Fluence continued in Argentina until the end of 2018.

Fluence petrol and diesel engines

The 1.6 H4M engine is a Nissan unit, the HR16DE, with an aluminium block and timing chain. According to the old 1cars text, the 1.6 petrol produces 145 Nm and takes the Fluence to 100 km/h in 11.9–13.9 seconds. Its top speed is 180–183 km/h, and it uses 6.8–7.5 litres per 100 km. The 2.0 petrol produces 190 Nm, accelerates to 100 km/h in 9.9–10.1 seconds and uses 7.8–8.0 litres per 100 km. The CVT is a Nissan/Jatco X-Tronic unit, and the 110 hp dCi was offered with Getrag's six-speed EDC dual-clutch gearbox.

Fluence Z.E.: the electric saloon

The Fluence Z.E. was shown at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show as part of Renault's zero-emission range. It has a 22 kWh lithium-ion battery, a range of 160 km and a top speed of 135 km/h, with 226 Nm of torque. The Israeli company Better Place planned a network of battery-swap stations for it, and sales were scheduled to begin in 2011 in Israel, Denmark and the rest of Europe. Production in Turkey ended at the end of 2013, after which the electric saloon was built in South Korea as the SM3 Z.E.

Suspension, steering and brakes

According to the old 1cars text, the Fluence uses MacPherson struts with triangular lower arms at the front and a torsion beam at the rear. Steering is rack and pinion with electric assistance. Disc brakes are fitted on all four wheels, ventilated at the front, with ABS and ESP. Ground clearance is 160–165 mm for the first version and 145 mm for the facelifted car in standard form.

Cabin space and the 530-litre boot

The old 1cars text describes a well-finished cabin with good fit, quality materials, a three-dial instrument panel and plenty of room for tall passengers. The front seats lack side support, and the central tunnel limits space for a third rear passenger. The boot holds 530 litres, with a full-size spare wheel under the floor, and the rear seat folds to nearly double the space, but not to a flat floor. After the facelift, higher versions gained a keycard with push-button start, an 8-inch touchscreen with the R-Link system and TomTom navigation in a number of European countries, and a rear armrest.

The 2012 and 2015 facelifts

The 2012 update introduced Renault's new design language, developed under design chief Laurens van den Acker, with narrow headlights, a slim chrome grille, LED daytime running lights and a reshaped bumper. Optional xenon headlights and 16- or 17-inch wheels were available, according to the old 1cars text. In 2015 the Fluence received new rear light clusters with LED brake lights.

Latin NCAP result and airbags

Latin NCAP tested the basic Latin American version in 2012. The Fluence received four stars for adult occupants (11.97 out of 17 points) and two stars for children (20.92 out of 49 points). The old 1cars text lists two front airbags, ABS and an immobiliser on the base version, and six airbags, dual-zone climate control and cruise control on higher versions.

Rivals: how the Fluence compares

The Fluence competed with compact saloons such as the Opel Astra saloon, the Toyota Corolla and the Volkswagen Jetta. Its strengths are a spacious cabin, a 530-litre boot and a choice of petrol, diesel and electric versions. Its weaknesses, according to the old 1cars text, are seats with little side support, a narrow rear centre seat and a touchscreen that is awkward to reach.