Renault India has finally launched the petrol version of the Pulse hatchback, powered by the same Nissan 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine found in the Nissan Micra. This engine, designated HR12, produces 76 PS of power and 104 Nm of torque.
The Renault Pulse petrol will be available in three trim levels, the base RxE variant, mid-spec RxL and top-of-the-line RxZ. The base RxE version gets a driver's side airbag, power steering and air-conditioning as standard. The RxL adds power windows, music system and a rear wiper. The highest spec RxZ variant gets ABS with ABD, two front airbags, fog lamps, smart key and a rear defogger as well. Renault has not clarified whether this variant gets alloy wheels as well, although it is undrstood that all three versions get 14-inch wheels, unlike the the Pulse diesel RxZ variant, which has 15-inch wheels. The highest XV version of the Micra also has 15-inch alloy wheels.
The ex-showroom Delhi prices for the Renault Pulse petrol are as follows:
Renault Pulse RxE: Rs 425,000
Renault Pulse RxL: Rs 499,000
Renault Pulse RxZ: Rs 555,000
Marc Nassif, MD, Renault India had commented at the time of the Pulse diesel launch: "We have the petrol ready. It is only a matter of time before we introduce it in the market." Renault India had been waiting for the Union Budget before announcing the Pulse petrol version. Commenting on the eventual launch of the petrol Pulse, Nassif said: "Pulse is a mass market product for India, designed and developed at our design studio in Mumbai, has always been an important product for Renault India. We are highly pleased with the product’s performance and it has been well accepted by the Indian customers. The new PULSE petrolis a product launched for our Indian customers and it will help Renault to broaden its customer base and cater to customers who are looking for a comfortable premium hatch with a competitive price tag."
The Renault Pulse petrol goes on sale immediately all over India. It will be built alongside the Pulse diesel and the Nissan Micra at the Renault-Nissan Alliance plant at Oragadam, on the outskirts of chennai.
