The Hindu Business Line : New versions of Fiesta and Logan

Squeezed in between increasingly mature customer demands and the current slowdown in sales, car makers are looking to position new variants between the existing ones to try and fill the gaps.

Ford Fiesta Limited Edition

Ford India has launched limited edition versions of its Fiesta sedan to commemorate the rollout of 50,000 units of the model in India.

The new limited edition version comes with new interior and exterior features. Though many of them are cosmetic, the increased levels of comfort and styling combine with Fiesta’s performance to further strengthens the car’s position in the segment.

Some of the new features of the limited edition Fiesta include:

New beige vinyl fake leather seat covers that give a plush look and feel.

New design five-spoke alloy wheels that add style and improve driveability.

A rear spoiler giving the Fiesta aerodynamic stability and a sportier look.

Reverse parking sensor for convenience while parking and reversing the car.

A new set of side graphics; and

A new electrically operated sun-moon roof which is being offered as an additional option to give buyers a newdrivingexperience.

The limited edition will be available on the Exi and Zxi variants for both petrol and diesel, and prices start at Rs 6.25 lakh onwards (ex-showroom, Delhi). The electric sun-moon roof is available for an additional Rs 30,000.

The new limited edition comes in two new colours — Brush Steel and Jeans Blue. It will, however, continue to also be available in the regular colours such as Diamond White, Panther Black, Platinum, Moon Dust Silver and Paprika Red.

Currently, the Fiesta is available in a six-series line-up, with three diesel and three petrol variants.

In addition to the newly added features, the limited edition will continue to have electric outside rear view mirrors, programmable keyless entry, driver seat height adjust mechanism, body side protection moulding, aluminium finish to interior features such as inside door release, gear knob and park brake button, foldable rear seats with adjustable rear head-rests and rear centre armrest with cup holders.

Renault Logan

Renault Logan GLX/DLX

Even as the Renault Logan is being rolled out in a phased manner into showrooms around the country, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has introduced two new variants, one each for the petrol and diesel models.

With a view to offering more choice to potential sedan buyers, M&M has launched the new GLX and DLX variants with additional features and has priced them in such a way as to plunk the new variant right between the trim levels currently available.

The new variants join the existing Logan range to enhance the value proposition for buyers.

In effect, the new variants of the 1.6-litre petrol engine and the 1.5-litre dCi diesel models will now be positioned between the GLE/DLE variant on the lower priced, cheaper trim side and the top-end GLS/ DLS variant on the other, higher priced, more expensive trim side. Much of the changes that have been introduced with the Logan GLX and DLX had supposedly been initiated after a detailed customer feedback process.

The Renault Logan’s attractiveness quotient has been woven around the value-for-money proposition that the car represents.

The new variants will attempt to provide additional features that many customers demand in this segment either as part of standard fitment or end up getting retrofitted post-purchase.

Going by M&M’s observation that much of the sales of the Logan come from the variants at the top-end, the new variants will attempt to give more choice to these customers.

According to company officials as much as 63 per cent of the Logan’s sales volume comes from the top-end variants.

The new variants’ additional features for the interior include adjustable head restraints for the rear seat passengers, a trunk room light, manually adjustable outside rear view mirrors, front and rear power windows and a central locking system.

The other additional features include a rear door trim with fabric and on the outside, body side moulding, which is both meant to enhance the looks of the car and provide increased protection against nicks and scratches.

The Logan was launched in April with three engine options, including two petrol — a 1.4-litre and a 1.6-litre — engines and a 1.5-litre diesel power plant.

The Logan was launched with five trim levels. The new GLX and DLX variants are to be made available for bookings in all the current sales locations in a phased manner.

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