The Renault Fluence is a medium sedan produced by the French automaker Renault. The car was produced until 2016 at the Oyak-Renault plant in Bursa, Turkey, and it still is produced in Santa Isabel, Argentina, for the Latin American market and in Busan, South Korea, for the Asia-Pacific market.
On 12 July 2016, Renault unveiled the successor to the Fluence, initially for the European market, the Mégane Sedan IV.
Revealed in August 2009, the Fluence is based on the Renault/Nissan C platform but it is sized between the compact family saloon C segment and the upper-medium segment.
The Mégane range featured a "three box" notchback sedan variant until 2008, but this was never a big seller and when, at the end of that year, the Mégane III was introduced, there was no notchback version available.
It is the gap in the range left by the removal of this model from the FrancoSpanish assembled Mégane range that the Fluence fills in those markets in the company's western European heartland, such as France, Italy, Belgium, Ireland and, since August 2010, Germany, where Renault offers it. The Renault Fluence is also badged as Renault Samsung SM3. The Renault Samsung car was first presented at the Seoul Motor Show in April 2009, and the rebadged Renault Fluence went on sale in November 2009.
The model has first been offered with two petrol engines: a 1.6 litre 110 hp (82 kW) and a 2-litre 140 hp (104 kW) that can get an optional CVT. The diesel variant is equipped with a 1.5 litre dCi engine, offered in 85 hp (63 kW), 90 hp (67 kW), 105 hp (78 kW) and 110 hp (82 kW) versions, fitted with Diesel particulate filter, and with the 110 hp (82 kW) version fitted with Renault's new dual clutch transmission, called EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch).
A Renault Sport version has been offered in Argentina and Brazil, named Fluence GT, using a 2.0 litre 180 hp (134 kW) engine named Renault TCe 180 mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. The Curb weight for the 1.5 litre dCi starts from 1,145 kg (2,524 lb) & gasoline engines 1.6 litre, 2 litre starts from 1,056 and 1,080 kg (2,328 and 2,381 lb).
As of 2012, the Renault Fluence was facelifted, unveiled during the Istanbul Motor Show; with the new Renault corporate grille, standard projector style headlights and a few minor changes. In 2015, the facelifted model was advertised with a new light cluster at the rear, including LED brake lights
Renault revealed an electric version of the Fluence at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.
This is one of the vehicles in the Renault Z.E. program of electric vehicles. At the same show, the Israeli company Better Place announced the Renault Fluence Z.E. would be the first electric car with a switchable battery available on the network of battery swap charging stations that it is developing in Israel.
The Fluence Z.E is outfitted with a 22 kWh lithium-ion battery which allows a total all-electric range of 160 km (99 mi), with speeds up to 135 km/h (84 mph). Sales of the Fluence Z.E. are scheduled for 2011 in Israel, Denmark and the rest of Europe, and for 2012 in the rest of the world such as Asia. At the end of 2013, Renault announced that the Fluence Z.E. ceased to be manufactured in Turkey. It is produced with the Renault Samsung badge for the Asia and Pacific region only.
In November 2012, Renault presented a new version of the Fluence in partnership with engineers from Renault Sport from France, as well as engineers from Brazil and Argentina. The project focus was to offer the first Renault Sport product developed out of France to enthusiasts and customers who were looking for something more than the available mid-range sedans until that date for Brazil and Argentina markets, notably customers who were willing to have more performance without compromising final price budget.
Based on the Privilège version, with all equipment and options, the GT version received special attention to suspension (springs and dampers) and the same engine and gearbox offered in the Megane GT for Europe.
The engine is commercially designated TCe180 (Turbo Control Efficiency), which refers to the 2.0F4Rt engine family tuned with 132 kW (177 hp; 179 PS) at 5500 rpm and 300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) of torque at 2250 rpm. The engine has a displacement of 1998 cc, with a bore of 82.7 mm and stroke of 93 mm. Compression ratio is 9,5:1. It features sequential multipoint fuel injection. The engine weighs approx. 164 kg (362 lb) and has pistons, linking rods and crankshaft reinforced, nitrile-cooled exhaust valves. The turbo is a Mitsubishi TD04-10T, wastegate twin-scroll unit to reduce lag.
The gearbox is a Pk4-17 6-speed manual, 3-shaft synchronized, hydraulic actuated unit that weighs 54 kg (119 lb).
The interior received a digital speedometer, leather sport seats and aluminum pedals.
It was produced from November 2012 until July 2014 in the phase 1 project. Later, there was a phase 2 project designated Fluence GT2, but it was only offered in Argentina.
There are 3 external colors available: "Branco Glacier" (solid), "Vermelho Fogo" and "Preto Nacré" (both metallic).
It can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 8 seconds and top speed is limited to 220 km/h (137 mph).
In 2004, Renault presented a 2+2 concept coupé, named Fluence and designed by then Renault chief designer Patrick le Quément, with a length similar to that of the Renault Laguna. It was shown on June 4, 2004, at the Louis Vuitton Car Elegance Classic in England, and at the Mondial de l'Automobile 2004.
The Fluence uses Valeo LED headlights that are angled according to the steering wheel position. An ingenious aspect of the Fluence's exterior design is its V shaped rear that gives access to the trunk in an unconventional way; an articulated piston mounted in the centre of the trunk lid slides the back up into the roof. The inside of the trunk is upholstered with "Margaux Red" cloth and has a volume of 396 dm³.
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