Renault Scala RxZ X-tronic CVT - Performance Review

Set behind the Pulse-like large hexagonal fascia is the same Nissan derived 1.5-litre petrol engine putting out nearly 100PS of power and 134Nm of torque. The CVT or the ‘X-tronic’ as Renault calls it is again courtesy of Nissan. Now unlike a conventional automatic gearbox, a CVT doesn’t get fixed number of gear ratios. What it means that the Scala picks up speed seamlessly without any jerks that would usually be associated with a conventional automatic gearbox. However, the engine does seem to whine a little when the CVT changes ratios. Also, as is the case with all CVTs, the rubber band effect certainly makes its presence felt in the Scala automatic. 

The X-tronic gearbox changes ratios seamlessly as the revs rise in response to gentle pressure on the throttle pedal. So gentle in fact that even at part-throttle, the gearbox lets the engine rev its nuts off. What’s disconcerting here is that the sort of noise coming from a strained 4-cylinder engine certainly isn’t amongst the evocative of noises one would want to hear.      

As far as fuel economy figures go, the Scala automatic, with an ARAI-tested fuel economy of 17.97 kmpl, promises to be more efficient than the manual Scala which does 16.95 kmpl. The reportedly splendid figure makes the Scala automatic one of the most fuel efficient petrol-powered automatic sedans on sale today. However, we couldn’t better 10.5 kmpl during our stint with the car. The figure nevertheless is rather impressive given that the four of us onboard never really took the route sanely!     

Conclusion:

Renault only expects the automatic model to account for a small portion of Scala’s sales, but how we see it; it stands to gain more prominence. The Indian car market is warming up to automatic cars now more than ever. So far, automatic gearbox-equipped cars have failed to take off owing to poor fuel economy and high maintenance costs as compared to their manual counterparts. However, with the increasing number of modern, more fuel efficient automatic transmissions now making their way into run-of-the-mill cars like the Scala; Renault, for one, appears to be making plenty of sense to this up-and-coming segment. 

Also read:

Renault Scala Automatic - Design review

Renault Scala Automatic - User experience Review