16 Sep 2008
2009 Renault Symbol coming to GCC soon
So I went to yet another corporate Iftar party, this time hosted by Renault, and while my PR guy was stuffing himself as usual, I noticed in their presentation that the Renault Symbol was going to be launched in Dubai and the GCC sometime next year, along with the Logan. The Symbol would replace the outdated Clio Classic sedan.
Itself largely based on the old Clio that it will be replacing, the Symbol is what Renault calls a “three-box saloon,” simply because they aren’t used to making straightforward sedans. Unlikely to be built in France, the Symbol will be a low-budget model, with equally low-budget engine choices - 75 hp 1.2-litre, 75 hp 1.4-litre, 98 hp 1.4-litre and 105 hp 1.6-litre.
Everything is basic, including ABS being optional, standard rear drum brakes, optional passenger-side airbag, and the available 4-speed automatic. The 5-speed manual, power steering and at least one airbag are all standard.
I drove my buddy’s company-fleet Clio sedan the other day. It handles like a sports car, but has an awful engine, no useful cup-holders, stiff power steering, and barely any cabin space. Since the sedan is really a Clio hatchback with an add-on ass, the rear-seat legroom is horrible, while the luggage trunk is huge! The Symbol looks like it is following the same ill-conceived formula, and with the same cheap interior too. Expect prices to be under Dhs 50,000.
by assassin, on September 16 2008 @ 1:31 pm
can we say “Symbol” in Ramadan?
or may be just the dirty GCC’s peope use it…
this word means somthing not polite in Arabic
really, this car should have another name in here, just like what Uk and USA did with the Pajero.
by Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury, on September 16 2008 @ 1:55 pm
I am familiar with all the common Arabic bad words (as are most beoble here), but I never heard Symbol before. It can’t too bad if the Arabian Automobiles CEO was fine saying it.
by royer, on September 16 2008 @ 2:49 pm
he he he… it should be named as Nissan abc or xyz … it will sell.. and driving institutes will buy it, RTA will buy it, Nakheel staff will buy it, people will swear by it and it will have good resale value..
by Boris(K-sport), on September 16 2008 @ 3:54 pm
nissan and renault are partners. And this is renault’s tiida! renault is horrible with sedans. they’re horrible in the first place when it comes to cars.
And Mash, Symbol isnt exactly a ‘bad word’. but if its pronounced in an Arabic accent… you’ll get the word.
by Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury, on September 16 2008 @ 7:06 pm
I just asked someone what it meant.
by azz, on September 16 2008 @ 7:16 pm
thats right! symbol is not at all a bad word until u know how to pronounce it exactly in arabic accent….
by thatsit(mohamad), on September 16 2008 @ 7:51 pm
hahahaha…assassin your mind is full with bad stuff…hehehehehe…i dont know how you got this point…you symbol..hahahaha..by the way symbol means D**K in emarati language…but you have to pronounce it correctly.
mash, please dont do a test drive for this car…or..you will sit inside a symbol hahahahaaaaaaaay
by cb, on September 16 2008 @ 9:59 pm
Introducing the Daihatsu Naked (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Daihatsu_Naked.jpg) and the Isuzu Giga 20 Light Dump (http://img74.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gigazo9.jpg)
by maani, on September 16 2008 @ 10:59 pm
same like corolla..
bad a**