The low-cost Logan (€5,000, US$6,000) was originally to sell only in Eastern Europe and Russia. Demand proved so strong, however, that Renault began selling the car in France, Germany and Spain as well. Production is under way at new assembly plants in Russia (April 2005), Morocco (July 2005) and Colombia (September 2005).

Renault is extending production to Iran in late 2006, followed by India and Brazil in 2007.

But the Logan’s gasoline engine choices are not as advanced as those of the Clio, and despite being a lighter car than the Clio, it consumes more fuel than its cousin. (Earlier post.) The introduction of the 1.5 dCi diesels, however, changes that. Although priced significantly higher than the gasoline versions, at €9,6840 the 1.5 dCi Logan offers Euro-4 compliance and CO₂ emissions of 125 g/km along with its 4.7 l/100km fuel consumption.

The Logan 1.5-liter diesel uses a low-inertia turbocharger and delivers 70 hp (50 kW) and 160 Nm of torque from 1,700 rpm. The second-generation common rail injection system features dedicated injector calibration, enabling the injection timing and flow to be controlled for each injector individually. This injection system permits better control of the quality of combustion and, in particular, of pre-injection. Pre-injection flow is controlled over the entire life of the engine, improving its performance and sound level, and helping directly to reduce pollutant emissions.

The five-speed manual gearbox, derived from gasoline-engine versions, has extended gear ratios to exploit the torque of the diesel engine.