Badge engineering
has turned out to be quite a popular phenomenon now and Renault seems
to have adapted it as well. What you see here might look like a familiar
car to you but it is also the French company's most important launches
post their second innings here in India. ZigWheels gets to the "Pulse"
of the matter!
![Renault Pulse Renault Pulse](http://static.zigwheels.com/media/content/2012/Apr/renault-pulse-roadtest_9_560x420.jpg)
The very first pictures of the Renault Pulse
frankly left us very disheartened. Especially since we are totally gaga
about Renault’s other small offerings like the Twingo and the Clio. The
Pulse on the other hand pretty much looked like a rehashed Nissan Micra
with a Renault badge. However, like they say, the god is in the details
and once you see the Pulse in the flesh, the subtle but noticeable
differences start to make themselves evident. So how different is the
Pulse and will it prove to be the game changer for Renault? Let’s find
out…
Similar lines, different appeal
Similar lines, different appeal
![Renault Pulse Side Profile Renault Pulse Side Profile](http://static.zigwheels.com/media/content/2012/Apr/renault-pulse-roadtest_1_560x420.jpg)
Now there is no doubting that the Pulse comes across as a slightly
different looking Micra. But then that’s not really a bad thing. It’s
pretty much the same with the VW Vento and the Skoda Rapid,
so why not with the Micra and the Pulse. Now the Micra is already a
cute looking car, but then therein lies its problem too. While cute is
good it appeals only to a certain kind, the fairer sex. And that’s
exactly what Renault has worked on. Not only has it saved on the
development costs of an all new car but Renault has given the car an all
new character which now gives a very universal appeal.
![Renault Pulse Rear Three Quarter Renault Pulse Rear Three Quarter](http://static.zigwheels.com/media/content/2012/Apr/renault-pulse-roadtest_2_560x420.jpg)
The changes include re-styled and now slightly elongated head lights
that is complimented by a large aggressive grille which gives the little
car a lot of macho appeal. While the sides and the overall silhouette
remains the same, the rear has been given a once over. The tail lights
get a minor touch up and there is also an all new bumper which now also
sports a black mid section imitating a diffuser. All these sporty bits
are further complimented by one of the best alloy wheels in this
segment. All in all, if you liked the Micra but found it a tad to
feminine, the Pulse is sure to get your attention.
Round is in!
![Reanult Pulse Dash Reanult Pulse Dash](http://static.zigwheels.com/media/content/2012/Apr/renault-pulse-roadtest_3_560x420.jpg)
To save costs, the bulbous interiors of the Micra are retained. There is no difference whatsoever apart from the Renault badge
on the steering wheel and the different choice of colours that you get
choose for the interiors. The RxL variant gets a black dashboard with
maroon inserts while the RxZ pictured here gets a mix of beige and grey.
Now the beige and grey combo does make the interiors feel more airy but
also make the interiors look more plastiky.
The driving position is nice and comfy and even new drivers will feel at home in the Pulse thanks to the good all round visibility. Leg room at the rear is not abundant but it’s not too bad either and even tall passengers will not feel cramped. But get five people into the car and its does get a bit tight in the Pulse.
The driving position is nice and comfy and even new drivers will feel at home in the Pulse thanks to the good all round visibility. Leg room at the rear is not abundant but it’s not too bad either and even tall passengers will not feel cramped. But get five people into the car and its does get a bit tight in the Pulse.
![Renault Pulse Interiors Renault Pulse Interiors](http://static.zigwheels.com/media/content/2012/Apr/renault-pulse-roadtest_4_560x420.jpg)
Ergonomics are well taken care off and everything falls at hand
pretty easily. The aircon controls arranged in a circular pattern not
only look refreshing but also serve their purpose well. Even the music
system has a nice tune to it and performs quite well considering its
basic nature. All in all the insides of the Pulse is good place to be
in.
Diesel delight
![Renault Pulse Engine Bay Renault Pulse Engine Bay](http://static.zigwheels.com/media/content/2012/Apr/renault-pulse-roadtest_5_560x420.jpg)
As of now Renault has launched the Pulse with a diesel powerplant
only with a petrol to follow soon. The engine is the same 1.5 litre
multifarious dCi unit which does its duty in the Robust Renault Logan
which is now the Mahindra Verito,
the Renault Fluence (albeit in a different state of tune) and of course
in the exact same tune in the Micra. It pushes out 64 PS @ 4000 rpm and
160 Nm @ 2000 rpm.
While its power figures at 64 PS does not suggest the Pulse to be as quick as its competition like the Swift which packs in much more power where the Renault scores is drivability. Turbo lag is minimal and the Pulse shoots forward at the slightest dab of the accelerator. Pedal to the metal, the Pulse hit 100 km/h in 16.27 seconds which almost a second quicker than the Micra and pretty close to the more powerful Swift. How you ask? Short well matched gearing is the answer. The short ratios mean the Pulse is in the powerband at all times resulting in crisp acceleration. Drivability is brilliant and the Pulse can doodle around in town in as high as 3rd and 4th gear without having to downshift and the roll-on times reflect the same. 4-120 km/h in 4th gear took just 26.59 seconds.
However there is a downside as well. The shorter gearing means highway runs can get quite buzzy. In fact, the Pulse could not even hit 120 in third gear and maxed out at 106 km/h. High speed cruising is not the Pulse’s forte either and the car maxed out at 160 km/h thanks to a long downhill. Coming to deceleration, the Pulse brakes well under normal usage however a high speed emergency braking situation means locking up the front wheels thanks to the absence of ABS. We fail to fathom why such an important and mandatory safety feature has been omitted from the equipment list.
![Renault Pulse Handling Renault Pulse Handling](http://static.zigwheels.com/media/content/2012/Apr/renault-pulse-roadtest_6_560x420.jpg)
The suspension is pretty sorted too and the Pulse offers a decent
balance between ride and handling. However we found the setup a tad too
stiff with bumps filtering into the cabin on bad roads. The stiffness
however aids handling and the Pulse is pretty much in its element in the
twisty’s. The Pulse then makes for a great city car with decent highway
potential.
Easy on the pocket
![Renault Pulse fuel efficiency Renault Pulse fuel efficiency](http://static.zigwheels.com/media/content/2012/Apr/renault-pulse-roadtest_7_560x420.jpg)
Good drivability and a light weight design results in good fuel
efficiency too. Driven around town, the Pulse returned 13.8 kmpl with
the figure going up to 17.3 kmpl on the highway, giving the Pulse an
overall figure of 14.6 kmpl. With a 41 litre fuel tank the Pulse should
easily see close to 600 km before needing to be refueled.
Bottom Line!
![Renault Pulse Renault Pulse](http://static.zigwheels.com/media/content/2012/Apr/renault-pulse-roadtest_8_560x420.jpg)
The Pulse then comes across as a pretty sensible offering from
Renault. The aesthetics has been taken care of and the interiors do just
fine. It drives well and is fuel efficient too. The RxZ variant is
pretty loaded too, of course if you could overlook the glaring omission
of the anti-lock braking system and the optional passenger airbag. At
6.25 lakh the top of the line RxZ is exactly Rs. 4300 cheaper than the Nissan Micra.
Thanks to the better looks, the Pulse makes absolute sense for not only
those who loved the Micra for everything but it looks but also for
those looking for a well rounded diesel family hatch.
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