Revamped, revised and, Renault sincerely hopes, revitalised, the 'new phase' Fluence Dynamique two-litre and its Expression 1.6 litre sibling - first seen at the 2012 Istanbul motor show and launched internationally in January - have landed in South Africa.
And the first thing you'll notice about them is the big chromed Renault diamond in the middle of the glossy black grille - but there's a lot more behind that badge, say Renault.
Standard kit on the two-litre Dynamique includes electronic stability control, LED daytime running lights, front and rear parking sensors, adjustable lumbar support on the driver's seat and connectivity to a host of applications - Tom-Tom navigation, 3D Sound by Arkamys, MP3-compatible CD player, Bluetooth connectivity and more - via a 180mm touch screen on the fascia.
CURVIER LINES
Even the entry-level Expression 1.6-litre boasts dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth radio and an MP3-compatible CD player with satellite steering-wheel controls, cruise control with speed limiter, rear parking sensors, auto windscreen wipers, front and rear curtain airbags, front foglights, hands-free key card for entry start and locking, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob.
The revised Fluence has curvier lines with chromed strips either side of the badge, a chunkier bumper and a large lower air intake that broadens towards the base.
The wheel-arch openings are 20mm tighter than on the previous version to frame the wheels more closely, while the new Dynamique's LED daytime running lights the front end look wider.
Inside, a new instrument cluster includes a large round LCD screen for the digital speed display and the visual component of the park assist function, while white segments around its circumference indicate the cruise control and speed-limiter settings.
PERFORMANCE
The two-litre and 1.6-litre engines of the Dynamique and Expression models respectively are unchanged; the two-litre is good for 103kW at 6000rpm and 195Nm at 3750rpm. With its six-speed manual gearbox, it has a standing-start sprint time of 9.9 seconds to 100 km/h and a top speed of 200km/h, at a cost of 7.9 litres per 100km and 182g/km of CO2.
The 1.6 Expression has peak outputs of 82kW at 6000rpm and 151Nm at4250, mated to a five-speed manual 'box; Renault quotes 0-100 in 11.5 seconds and 185km/h flat out, while averaging 6.8 litres per 100km and 155 g/km of CO2.
PRICES
Expression 1.6 litre 16V - R214 900
Dynamique 2.0 litre 16.V - R249 900
These include a five-year or 150 000km warranty, a five-year or 90 000km service plan that can optionally br upgraded to a fukll maintenance plan, five years' roadside assistance, fixed-price servicing at 15 000km intervals for the duration of the service plan and guaranteed parts availability - or a mobility solution until parts become available.