Launched in South Africa more than a year ago but not a common sight on our roads yet, the Fluence is Renault's answer to the Toyota Corolla. Think rational decision making, rental fleets, corporate transport and all that stuff.
Mind you, it does offer a lot of car for the money and now it's a bit more stylish too.
Renault has just revealed a facelifted Fluence at the Instanbul Motor Show. Lifting its aesthetic appeal is a new face featuring Renault's latest 'family look' that we also see on the new Clio. The design language is less cheeky but more elegant in this case, which is perhaps just what its buyers need to enhance their sales pitches.
LESS THIRST
Unlike the new Clio, however, there's no 'downsized' turbopetrol revolution happening under this bonnet, but there is an improved 1.6-litre petrol engine. It's slightly more powerful (up from 81kW to 86kW) and significantly more efficient - the claimed combined consumption dropping by 1.3 l/100km to 6.4 l/100km.
Certain markets will also enjoy the option of a new 97kW 1.6-litre turbodiesel motor, which sips a claimed 4.6 l/100km.
It's got new toys too, the highlight being the Renault R-Link multimedia system, with touchscreen display, voice recognition and various connected services and applications.
While the local specifications have yet to be confirmed, Renault SA's public relations official says we can expect to see new Fluence in April next year.