Renault Fluence: New Compact Sedan for Russia, Turkey and Romania, and perhaps the US as a Saturn

Remember Renault's 2004 Fluence concept car that inspired the styling of the Laguna Coupe? Well, the only common denominator between the sexy prototype (see pics below) and this compact-sized sedan is their name... Virtually a rebadged version of the Korean market Samsung SM3 that was revealed earlier this year, the Fluence is the sedan variant of the Megane and it will be initially sold only in Russia, Romania and Turkey.

There's also a chance that we may see Renault's VW Jetta-sized sedan heading towards the States as a Saturn if the American brand's new owner, Penske Automotive Group, closes a proposed deal with the French automaker.

Depending on the market, buyers will have a choice of two gasoline engines, a 110HP 1.6-liter unit linked to either a manual gearbox or an automatic transmission and a 140HP 2.0-liter matted to a CVT, plus a 1.5-lited dCi diesel with outputs of 85HP, 90HP (DPF - Diesel Particulate Filter), 105HP and 110HP (DPF). All diesel engines are coupled to a manual gearbox, with the most powerful version also offered with Renault's new dual-clutch transmission.

In 2011, Renault will also introduce an electric version of the Fluence with more details expected to be released closer to the launch date.

The 4,62 metres long four-door saloon that boasts a luggage capacity of 530 liters will be built at Renault's plant in Bursa, Turkey, on the same assembly line that manufactured the outgoing Megane II sedan.

Renault Fluence Sedan

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Samsung SM3

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Renault Fluence Concept

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Renault Launches Megane Sport Tourer in the UK

Following its world premiere earlier in the year at the Geneva motor show, the new Megane Sport Tourer has arrived in Renault's UK showrooms with customer deliveries starting in November. At launch, the range includes 21 models, spread across four trim levels - Expression, Dynamique, TomTom Edition and Privilege, with prices ranging between £15,485£22,785 on-the-road, while a further trim level, Extreme, will follow in the autumn.

The entry-level Expression trim comes with several standard features including 4x15W RDS radio CD, air conditioning, front and rear curtain airbags, ESP, folding front passenger seat, front and rear electric windows, keyless car with Renault card and longitudinal chrome roof bars.

The core trim model, Dynamique adds 16-inch alloys, automatic lights and wipers, Bluetooth and MP3 connection, Hands free Renault card and leather steering wheel while the TomTom Edition, adds a fully-integrated Carminat TomTom.

Completing the launch range, the range-topping Privilege adds dual zone climate control, electric folding mirrors, electrochrome rear view mirror and rear armrest with storage.

The Megane Sport Tourer is offered with numerous diesel and gasoline powerplants including the 1.4 TCe 130 and 2.0 TCe 180 turbocharged petrols and the 2.0 dCi 160 oil burner.

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