Renault Fluence
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | February 25, 1899 in France |
| Headquarters | Boulogne-Billancourt , France |
| Products | Automobiles, commercial vehicles |
| Website | www |
The Renault Fluence is a compact sedan crafted by the French manufacturer Renault. Its production ceased in 2016 at the Oyak-Renault facility located in Bursa, Turkey, while manufacturing continued until 2018 at the Santa Isabel plant in Argentina to cater to the Latin American market.
On 12 July 2016, Renault unveiled the Fluence’s European successor, the Mégane Sedan IV.
Design
Introduced in August 2009, the Fluence is built upon the Renault/Nissan C platform and occupies a position bridging the compact family C segment and the upper medium category.
Following Renault’s discontinuation of the Mégane notchback saloon with the release of Mégane III in 2008, the Fluence was launched to fill this void in markets such as France, Italy, Belgium, Ireland, and starting August 2010, Germany.
In South Korea, the Fluence is marketed under the name Renault Samsung SM3. It made its debut at the Seoul Motor Show in April 2009 and became available for sale in November of that year. Initial powertrain options included a 1.6L petrol engine delivering 110 hp and a 2.0L petrol unit producing 140 hp, with an optional CVT transmission.
Diesel versions are equipped with a 1.5L dCi engine offered in several power outputs ranging from 85 to 110 hp, all fitted with diesel particulate filters. The highest-spec diesel model is paired with Renault’s Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) transmission.
A sportier variant called the Fluence GT was available in Argentina and Brazil, featuring a 2.0L TCe 180 engine that generates 180 hp combined with a six-speed manual gearbox. The vehicle’s curb weight varies from about 1056 kg for petrol models to roughly 1145 kg for diesel variants.
Facelift
In 2012, the Fluence underwent a facelift revealed at the Istanbul Motor Show, which introduced Renault’s updated corporate grille, standard projector-style headlights, and subtle refinements. By 2015, the model was updated with redesigned rear light clusters incorporating LED brake lights.
Middle East & North Africa
The Fluence was launched in GCC nations such as the UAE as a 2011 model year vehicle, imported from South Korea and offered with two engine choices: a 1.6-litre unit (available with manual or CVT transmissions) and a 2.0-litre variant (CVT only). In certain markets including Algeria and Israel, imports originate from Turkey.
Egypt
Between mid-2013 and 2017, Egypt imported the facelifted version of the Fluence equipped with the HR16DE engine delivering 114 PS mated to a CVT gearbox, sharing its powertrain with the Nissan Sentra.
China
Since its introduction in 2009, Renault has supplied China with Korea-assembled Fluence models.
Latin America
In Mexico and Chile, Renault retails Korean-built Fluence units powered by a 2.0 L engine paired either with a six-speed manual or an automatic CVT transmission. Meanwhile, Argentina and Brazil offer versions manufactured locally in Santa Isabel, Argentina, which closely resemble their European counterparts.
Safety
The Fluence earned four stars for adult occupant protection and two stars for child occupant safety from Latin NCAP when tested in its basic Latin American configuration in 2012.
Malaysia
Produced locally by TC Euro Car in Malaysia, this market’s Fluence is powered by a 2.0-litre engine combined with an automatic CVT transmission.
Fluence Z.E.
Renault unveiled an electric variant of the Fluence at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, as part of its Z.E. (Zero Emission) electric vehicle initiative. The Fluence Z.E., which was also marketed as the Renault Samsung SM3 Z.E., is equipped with a 22 kWh lithium-ion battery, enabling an estimated driving range near 160 km and a maximum speed reaching 135 km/h.
Significantly, it was the inaugural electric vehicle compatible with Better Place’s battery swapping infrastructure in Israel. Commercial availability started in 2011, covering markets in Israel, Denmark, and various European countries, before extending to Asian regions by 2012.
Manufacturing of the Fluence Z.E. in Turkey ended by late 2013, with production concentrating solely in South Korea under the Renault Samsung branding to serve Asia-Pacific customers.
Fluence GT
Renault introduced the Fluence GT in November 2012, a collaborative effort by Renault Sport engineers from France, Brazil, and Argentina. This model targeted Brazilian and Argentine consumers desiring enhanced driving dynamics without incurring high costs and marked the first Renault Sport vehicle developed outside France.
Built upon the Privilège trim level with comprehensive features, the GT incorporated a refined suspension system alongside the TCe180 powertrain and transmission borrowed from the European Megane GT. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine produces at 5500 rpm and of torque at 2250 rpm, featuring strengthened internals and a Mitsubishi TD04-10T twin-scroll turbocharger designed to reduce turbo lag.
The manual six-speed transmission weighs . Interior enhancements include a digital speedometer display, sport leather seats, and aluminium pedal covers.
Produced between November 2012 and July 2014 (Phase 1), a follow-up Phase 2 Fluence GT2 was exclusively available in Argentina. Paint options consisted of "Branco Glacier" (solid), along with metallic finishes "Vermelho Fogo" and "Preto Nacré." Performance figures highlight acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in eight seconds and a top speed electronically capped at .
Concept
The Renault Fluence concept debuted in 2004 as a 2+2 coupé designed by chief stylist Patrick le Quément, sharing its size closely with the Renault Laguna. It made its first appearances at England’s Louis Vuitton Car Elegance Classic and later at the Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris that year.
This concept incorporated cutting-edge features such as Valeo LED headlights that pivot in coordination with steering movements and a unique V-shaped rear trunk lid that slides upward into the roof using a centrally mounted articulated piston. The cargo area offered 396 dm³ of volume and was finished with "Margaux Red" fabric lining.
Inside, all seats were mounted on individual rails allowing versatile adjustment alongside door armrests. The dashboard design foreshadowed elements found on the subsequent Renault Talisman concept, including a joystick interface managing vehicle functions shown on a retractable LCD display.
Key collaborators during development included Michelin, supplying PAX run-flat tires; BS tooling, manufacturing aerodynamic 22-inch alloy wheels; and Recaro, responsible for seat design.