fluence 091

This morning finally puts an end to so many months of spyshots and teasers - the Renault Fluence has officially entered the Malaysian scene. The C-segment sedan is locally assembled (CKD) in Tan Chong Motor Assemblies' Segambut plant, and to that effect, a manufacturing agreement was signed today between Renault and local distributor TC Euro Cars.

The Renault Fluence comes in a sole 2.0 16v 140 X-Tronic variant. It gets a 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine that produces 143 hp at 6,000 rpm and 195 Nm of torque at 3,700 rpm, and an Xtronic CVT - the previous-gen (G11) Nissan Sylphy had the same drivetrain.

The century sprint is dealt with in a little above 10 seconds, and top speed is 195 km/h. Combined fuel economy is a claimed 7.7 litres per 100 km on the European cycle.

Based on Renault-Nissan's C platform (which also underpins Renaults Megane and Koleos), our Fluence is the 'second-facelift' model (a newer facelift debuted in Istanbul in 2012, with Renault's current 'big diamond' corporate face). The projector headlamps have black surrounds, and the wheels are 17-inch alloys covered in 205/55 series tyres.

Length, width, height and wheelbase are 4,618, 1,813, 1,485 and 2,702 mm respectively. Suspension is taken care of by MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam out back, and there are disc brakes all round.

The kit list is pretty extensive - you get auto headlamps and wipers, leather seats, dual-zone auto air-con, rear air vents, keyless entry and start (Renault hands-free card) and cruise control. The back seats are split 60:40.

A seven-inch touch-screen incorporates Renault R-Link, navigation, voice recognition, Bluetooth, MP3, CD, USB and reverse camera display, while sound is played through a six-speaker Arkamys 3D sound system. The security guards are six airbags, ESP, ASR and rear-seat Isofix.

The estimated price for the Renault Fluence is RM115k, OTR without insurance. Included is a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage, and two years/40,000 km free service. If your car has to undergo maintenance in the workshop for more than 48 hours, you get a courtesy car.

That's not all - if you book a Fluence from now until the end of June, you get extra three years' free service, giving you a total of five years' free service.

Available colours are Ultra Silver, Black Metallic, Mars Grey and White Pearl.