Renault Fluence!

[2o6]

It's a Megane Sedan.


Actually, it's a Samsung SM3 with a Megane Nose. This car is important because it may make it stateside as a Saturn. Looks tidy, if a bit boring.


http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/31/new-renault-fluence-compact-sedan-for-turkey-russia-romania/

[Tave]

I'm not happy with these lights that stretch halfway across the hood. The Fiesta and a lot of other new small cars suffer from them too.

[Submariner]

Samsung?

[2o6]

Samsung?

Yep.

[MX793]

Front looks ok, then you move rearward and notice that it appears that the rear wheel is only 13 inches in diameter.

[the Teuton]

It looks boring enough to be a Saturn (in a good way), but the company (Renault) died out here for a reason, and maybe it should have stayed dead.

[2o6]

It looks boring enough to be a Saturn (in a good way), but the company (Renault) died out here for a reason, and maybe it should have stayed dead.

What ARE you talking about?

[the Teuton]

What ARE you talking about?

You just don't get anything made before 1985, do you?

[MX793]

Samsung?

Yeah, they build cars based on hand-me-down Nissan platforms.  That one is on the previous generation Bluebird Sylphy platform.  Their other two models are on the FF-L platform (previous generation Altima and Maxima).

[2o6]

You just don't get anything made before 1985, do you?

And is it 1985?


No.

Yeah, they build cars based on hand-me-down Nissan platforms.  That one is on the previous generation Bluebird Sylphy platform.  Their other two models are on the FF-L platform (previous generation Altima and Maxima).

What one? The Latest SM3 is based directly on the Megane which is on the Nissan/Renault C-platform.

[the Teuton]

No one likes Renault.  Give it up.

We have Nissan in the US for a reason.

[2o6]

No one likes Renault.  Give it up.

We have Nissan in the US for a reason.

By the same token, you could say that no one likes Alfa. Or Fiat.

[the Teuton]

By the same token, you could say that no one likes Alfa. Or Fiat.

Well...

[SVT666]

By the same token, you could say that no one likes Alfa. Or Fiat.

Nobody does.  Just a select few enthusiasts.

[2o6]

Nobody does.  Just a select few enthusiasts.

Fiat makes cute small cars. Alfa is essentially an Italian BMW or Volvo.

Who doesn't like that?

[the Teuton]

Fiat isn't some kind of massive company.  It's big, but it's not GM-like.  The only reason it was able to acquire Chrysler is because it cost them virtually no money out of pocket, and they proved they could very easily build and sell Obama cars in North America.

The board overseeing such matters wanted to find a viable parent after the government raised CAFE.

[the Teuton]

What I am trying to say is this: They don't have a huge mainstream appeal.

[Colin]

Fiat isn't some kind of massive company. 

Err, wrong.......... the Fiat organisation is massive. It does far more than just build cars. I am pretty sure it is the largest company in Italy.

If I was feeling charitable, I would excuse the rather opinonated comments in this thread as very American in their focus.............. if I was feeling rude, well,, let's not go there...........

Maybe Renault have learned that rebadged Samsungs are hard to sell in Western Europe. The Koleos is such a car and it has bombed completely and utterly outside France. Western Europe tends not to want three-box sedans, whereas southern and Eastern Europe does, so we are also spared the hideous Symbol/Thalia/Clio Saloon. The last of those sold quite well, but I saw precisely one in a whole week in Croatia.

[mzziaz]

If I was feeling charitable, I would excuse the rather opinonated comments in this thread as very American in their focus.............. if I was feeling rude, well,, let's not go there...........

I agree 

[MX793]

Fiat isn't some kind of massive company. 

They're the world's 6th largest automaker (potentially even bigger now that they've gotten Chrysler), just behind FoMoCo.  No, they're not as big as GM or Toyota, but they're not small by any means either.

[Madman]

Car-wise, America is a third-world market.  A Saturn-badged Samsung will probably suit the typical brain-dead American consumer just fine.  As for me, I'll take a Megane or Laguna instead.

Cheers,
Madman of the People

[nickdrinkwater]

This looks better than the previous Megane Sedan, so it's reversed the trend of the hatch.  The new hatch is terrible compared to its stylish predecessor.  What were Renault thinking?

[2o6]

Car-wise, America is a third-world market.  A Saturn-badged Samsung will probably suit the typical brain-dead American consumer just fine.  As for me, I'll take a Megane or Laguna instead.

Cheers,
Madman of the People

You're being a badge snob.


The SM3 is a Megane Sedan, and the QM5 is a Koleos.

[the Teuton]

Car-wise, America is a third-world market.  A Saturn-badged Samsung will probably suit the typical brain-dead American consumer just fine.  As for me, I'll take a Megane or Laguna instead.

Cheers,
Madman of the People

If a $25k hatchback with crank windows and no AC lights your fancy, have at it!

[Raza]

It looks boring enough to be a Saturn (in a good way), but the company (Renault) died out here for a reason, and maybe it should have stayed dead.

I say we turn the clock back a year, and bring the old Megane, the old Clio, the new Laguna, and the new Twingo, RS versions where applicable, to the US.  If I lived in Europe right now, I'd probably be driving a black Twingo 133 with the Cup suspension.

[Raza]

This looks better than the previous Megane Sedan, so it's reversed the trend of the hatch.  The new hatch is terrible compared to its stylish predecessor.  What were Renault thinking?

They were thinking "play it safe".

[nickdrinkwater]

They were thinking "play it safe".

But why?  The old one was successful

[nickdrinkwater]

Err, wrong.......... the Fiat organisation is massive. It does far more than just build cars. I am pretty sure it is the largest company in Italy.

If I was feeling charitable, I would excuse the rather opinonated comments in this thread as very American in their focus.............. if I was feeling rude, well,, let's not go there...........

Maybe Renault have learned that rebadged Samsungs are hard to sell in Western Europe. The Koleos is such a car and it has bombed completely and utterly outside France. Western Europe tends not to want three-box sedans, whereas southern and Eastern Europe does, so we are also spared the hideous Symbol/Thalia/Clio Saloon. The last of those sold quite well, but I saw precisely one in a whole week in Croatia.

I saw quite a few Koleos in Spain.  But you're right, a rare sight in the UK

[2o6]

I say we turn the clock back a year, and bring the old Megane, the old Clio, the new Laguna, and the new Twingo, RS versions where applicable, to the US.  If I lived in Europe right now, I'd probably be driving a black Twingo 133 with the Cup suspension.

I think the New Clio is a snazzy car. You should also bring back the Avantime and Vel Satis as well as the Old Scenic. Those cars were distinctly French.


Aside from the 133, I've heard that the Twingo is a terrible car.

[nickdrinkwater]

I think the New Clio is a snazzy car. You should also bring back the Avantime and Vel Satis as well as the Old Scenic. Those cars were distinctly French.


Aside from the 133, I've heard that the Twingo is a terrible car.

The new Clio is ugly, I can vouch for that.  The Avantime was a flop so no way that's coming back anytime soon.  The Vel Satis is still available AFAIK.