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In 2005 "Logan!" was definitely a buzzword amongst the directors of many automobile companies. But not at Renault, from where the idea originated to build a cheap car following the motto "shed some pounds" with the aid of the Romanian daughter Dacia, and to sell it not only in newly industrializing countries, where a car itself is already a great luxury, but also in Western Europe. The Logan, which has already been selling particularly well in Eastern Europe, South America, Asia and Africa, could become a retro trend-setter for us, although VW’s Cheap-Fox quickly overtook it in the summer.
What you get when buying a Logan can be swiftly summarised: a new car for the price of a used one, with the safety standards of a second-hand car (three NCAP-Stars), Renault bodywork and reliable Renault engines that have been tested over the years and an cutback design (inside and outside), that enables the low pricing quoted by the Renault logisticians. Only it comes in mint condition, practical and with a 3-year warranty, something that one doesn’t get when buying a used car.
The first tests with the petrol cars exposed an unpleasant smell of plastic in the interior and somewhat indirect steering, in addition to the very high noise level after 3500 RPM. It should perhaps also be pointed out that the front seats had a good side handle, but little leg room and the switches on the dashboard were set too far back.
The bodywork – largely from the previous Clio model – performs its duty well and is designed for comfort. For the exterior design, the most important thing according to Renault sources was that the steel plate moulds in the factory were produced at as low a price as possible.
The introductory price in Austria (from January 2006) is 7960 euros. For the retro price, you get the retro feeling of driving without power steering, but instead with ABS and 2 airbags. The top model (from 9190 euros) naturally offers power steering, electric windows, central locking and on-board computer. Radio and air-conditioning come as extra.
For the sake of completeness, I should also mention that the boot can only be opened by key and the back shelf cannot be inclined. We are also interested in the Logan Kombi that follows at the end of 2006.
The engines
PETROL
1.4 MPI: 4 Cylinder, 1390 ccm, 55 kW/75 HP at 5500 RPM, 112 Nm at 3000 RPM, 0 to 100 km/h in 13 seconds, top speed 162 km/h, fuel consumption/100 km urban/non-urban/general: 9.4/5.5/6.9 Litres, 95 Octane
1.6 MPI: 4 Cylinder, 1598 ccm, 64 kW/87 HP at 5500 RPM, 128 Nm at 3000 RPM, 0 to 100 km/h in 11.5 seconds, tp speed 175 km/h, fuel consumption/100 km urban/non-urban/general: 10.0/5.8/7.3 Litres, 95 Octane
DIESEL
1.5 dCi: 4 Cylinder with Turbocharger, 1461 ccm, 50 kW/68 HP at 4000 RPM, 160 Nm at 1700 RPM, 0 to 100 km/h in 15 seconds, top speed 158 km/h, fuel consumption/100 km urban/non-urban/general: 5.8/4.1/4.7 Litres
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