Mahindra Renault, a joint venture between Mahindra & Mahindra (India) and Renault (France) launched the tiny Logan last month in India. The Logan will boast a host of class-defying features at an aggressive price.

The Logan will roll out from Mahindra’s plant at Nashik, which has been upgraded with an installed capacity to produce 50,000 Logans annually.

The Logan redefines its segment in terms of spaciousness as well as performance, technology with the latest generation dCi common rail engine. It has been designed for the Indian market incorporating a contemporary styling and design. The Logan will be available in both diesel and petrol versions. The Logan will be available in six colours, namely Toreador Red, Fiery Black, Sahara Beige, Mist Silver, Turf Green & Diamond White and will be available in selected Mahindra & Mahindra showrooms with Mahindra and Renault branding in major cities across the country.

Mr. Anand Mahindra, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, said, "The Logan is a milestone for us as it marks our entry into the most competitive segment of the automotive market. The global quality platform of the Logan with its unmatched features makes it a landmark for the Indian car industry. The strengths of Renault and our passion for outperformance and customer centricity have offered a product that will appeal to the evolved Indian customer.”

Mr. Carlos Ghosn, President & CEO, Renault SA, said (at the launch last month, "Today signals a new step in Renault’s global expansion. It marks the start of Renault sales on the Indian market and sees the first right hand drive version of Logan created to meet the needs of our Indian customers. I would like to congratulate the Mahindra-Renault team here in India for demonstrating how much can be achieved in a very short period of time.”

Mr Rajesh Jejurikar, Managing Director, Mahindra Renault Ltd, said, "The Logan packs in the aspirations of the Indian car lover and sets standards in every aspect, space, safety and engine performance. Add to this Logan’s fuel efficiency – 16 to 19 km/litre in Common Rail Diesel engine and 10 to 13 km/litre with petrol engine. The Logan delivers on our promise of great quality at a stunning price.”

The Logan is a wide bodied car, offers full and comfortable seating for three persons in the rear seat, which sports three separate headrestraints. Logan is the only product in its segment that offers these features for the middle passenger in the rear seat. It has a boot capacity of 510 litres, which is the best in its category. Designed to cater to the aspirational requirements of customers, the Logan comes equipped with features that are world-class like air bag. Add to this the reliability and robustness of design, which have played a key role in Logan's global success since it was launched in 2004. Logan has been adapted to suit the Indian driving conditions. The air-conditioning and heating system is designed to suit extreme climatic conditions that prevail in the sub-continent.

Logan – a vehicle for international growth for the Renault group

The Logan programme was conceived with international development in mind, and contributes significantly to the growth target of 800,000 extra vehicles set by the "Renault Commitment 2009" plan. By 2009, the production plan for Logan and its variants is 1 million units.

Since its launch in 2004, Logan has proved to be a global success, both in emerging and established markets alike. Almost 420,000 Logan have been sold worldwide since it was launched. The Logan is being sold in 51 countries. With the India release, the Logan marks its first right hand drive variant.

Availability

The Logan will be available at M&M’s dealerships throughout India in two phases. In Phase 1, the Logan will be launched in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Nashik, Chandigarh & Ludhiana with deliveries starting in May, followed by Phase 2 wherein the car will open for bookings in another 15 cities and deliveries will start from June.

Feel the Space

The target customer group for the Logan are families. This necessitated the need to have roomy interiors. The rear seating deserves a special mention for it offers generous headroom and legroom. A unique feature of the Logan is the third head-restraint for the middle occupant in the rear seat. This is the only vehicle in its segment to offer this feature. The roominess has been further enhanced by the beige interiors that give a bright and plush feel to the occupants. Another benchmark that Logan has set in its segment is the boot space it offers. With a capacity of 510 litre, the vehicle’s boot can carry luggage – big and small. The shape of the boot provides a low loading platform and is protected by the boot lining from the upper part of the rear bumper.

State of the art technologies

At the heart of the Logan is its state-of-the-art engine. This vehicle comes equipped with three engine options – 1.4 and 1.6 petrol and a 1.5 diesel. Both the engines are matched to a five-speed manual gearbox. The car uses the tried & tested JH gearbox that has proved its worth in the Renault range. Logan's torque has been enhanced at low speeds by redesigning the profile of the cams. Despite its spacious dimensions, the vehicle is relatively lightweight. It complies with the current emission standards in force in India and can be adapted to more stringent norms that will be applicable in future. The power steering provides superior handling and enhances agility with the help of a reduced turning radius of 5.25 metres. The driver gets an ergonomic seating position wherein he/she can view the display for all data. An alphanumeric display in the centre of the dashboard brings together warning lights and data supplied by the onboard computer. The car also boasts low NVH levels.

Latest generation diesel engine

The second-generation 1.5 dCi common rail diesel engine gives a performance that is unmatched in this segment. With the 1.5 dCi engine – a product of the Renault group’s powertrain range – Logan offers driving pleasure combined with an astounding fuel economy (14-18 km/litre in Indian terminology). Emission levels too have been reduced to 125g/km of CO2 that makes Logan highly competitive among diesel cars currently on the Indian market. The second-generation common rail injection system developed for the 1.5 dCi is characterised by the supply of precisely the required quantity of pressurised fuel in a series of injections, improving the efficiency of combustion and saving fuel. The system also features dedicated injector calibration, enabling the injection timing and flow to be controlled for each injector individually.

Safety

Logan’s engine compartment layout allows stacking of powertrain components in the event of a frontal collision. In the upper portion, the load passes through the cowlside reinforcement, door pillars and door panels. The load in the middle part is borne by the front cross-member. The sub-frame in the lower portion of the car helps absorb energy. The central pillar protects the pelvis in the event of a side impact. The fuel tank has been placed under the floorpan to prevent being punctured in case of a collision from the rear. A cross-member in the back of the rear bench seat restricts the danger of objects in the boot entering the cabin.

Internally the dashboard is made of polypropylene that is effective in absorbing high energies. The glove compartment and rest of the lower part of the dashboard are designed to reduce impact on the legs and ankles of the front occupants.

Style exemplified

Logan's exterior design is highlighted by accented wheel arches and sleek body sides and bonnet. The rear lamp clusters, set at an angle, smooth out the car's structured edges. The Renault badge is placed prominently on the grille, with headlamps that give a sharp look to the vehicle.

Robustness and reliability

The Logan project did not compromise on reliability or durability. Concerning engines, both petrol and diesel engines had already proved their worth in the Renault range. In addition, Logan underwent stringent tests covering a very wide variety of driving conditions to ensure real durability, with particular attention paid to protecting the bodywork. This was done by injecting wax into the box sections, systematic application of sealant on the external cabin joints and reinforced underbody anti-chip protection. Logan has been adapted to suit the Indian driving conditions. For example, the air-conditioning and heating system is designed to suit extreme climatic conditions that prevail in the sub-continent.

Low running and maintenance costs were also priorities.

About Mahindra Renault