RENAULT’S NEW FLUENCE plays out just like a Megane sedan, so why the name change? It’s simple; the French manufacturer has taken the opportunity afforded by launching their new C-segment entrant by installing new verve, new technology and new levels of refinement. So why not give the marketing department the opportunity to flex their creative muscle too? Cue new levels of quirky in the pursuit of volumes. Which is why once again we’ve got a polarizing Frenchie on our hands thanks to a slightly oddball exterior and the kind of ergonomics that require a sense of humour.

IMAGE GALLERY HERE

EXTERIOR
I have to admit that while I appreciate the Fluence’s slippery shape in an otherwise dull three-box segment, my first impression was that it looks like a boiled sweet. In car parks I also kept losing it among scads of  Nissan Almeras for some reason and, let’s be honest, in white livery it does look as if Alliance engineers took the old Nissan and simply hit the ‘Make French’ button, then flipped the ‘Update for 2011’ switch.

Still, I like it, along with many observers, although our panel of testers called it boring on one occasion and something unprintable on another. That white spray job is hardly appliance-spec though, boasting an impressive pearlescent sheen alluding to Renault’s premium aspirations for its flagship 2.0 Privilege model. The rear end is a tidy job, and its front end is easily its strongest aspect, though viewed in profile it seems a bit too long for its own good – unresolved even. Yet it does all promote the illusion of copious amounts of cabin space.

INTERIOR
Hop in to the driver’s seat and in typical Renault fashion, marvel at how much sunlight they manage to cram into their interiors thanks to a generous greenhouse. You’ll need that extra illumination when hunting for dials, knobs and switches: this is no pure logic German arrangement. Still, if you’re used to the marque’s vehicles everything should fall to hand – even the company’s trademark cluster of audio controls lying in wait behind the steering wheel like a land mine. This top spec model is packed to the gunwales with safety technology and modern conveniences, giving Renault much needed clout to take on the mighty Japs and Krauts. Interestingly, the satellite GPS controls now take the form of a remote control instead of that spindly and much criticized controller mounted between the front seats of Meganes and Scenics. So that’s an improvement if you’re an accomplished DSTV watcher. The seats are comfortable enough, but about as grippy as a church pew. Ultimately, in terms of premium feel the cabin is a let down, though it scores high for ambience and space with leather in abundance.

PERFORMANCE
The two-litre heart that beats beneath the Fluence’s bonnet is a bit of a gem. Sure, 105kW and 195Nm from a 1997cc normally aspirated 16-valver is no breakthrough in terms of power, but the tractability of the Renault item is superb, pulling convincingly from any of the six gears. So it’s a pity that it has the soundtrack of a stressed mule when taken closer to redline. Manually stirring through the transmission presents no issue however, this being a very competent drivetrain combination. We manage a respectable race to the quarter mile in 16.73 seconds with 100kph achieved in just 9.3 seconds. Regretfully, no ear plugs were on hand for our test driver.