In what is apparently becoming an annual celebration of their partnership with the French National Rugby Team, Renault->ke72 has once again released a special edition line of their Clio->ke1021 and Megane->ke1227 vehicles, which they've been calling the "XV de France" Editions.

We already showed you what last year's models looked like, so now we're here to give you a peak of what to expect for the 2011 version of the these special edition Renault compact vehicles.

For this year, both limited edition models have become special 'versions' of the Clio and the Megane, which you can avail off with out the limited time basis attached to its predecessors.

“The 2011 ‘XV de France’ versions are very different from the limited editions of previous years," said Raphaelle Jarry, the Renault Megane's product manager.

For this particular version of the Megane and Clio, customers can avail of the former through a number of styles, including estate, hatch or coupe body form. As for the latter, customers have a choice of getting it as a 3-door, 5-door, or estate.

Details after the jump

2011 Renault Megane and Clio "XV de France" Editions

Specifications
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  • Model: 2011 Renault Megane and Clio "XV de France" Editions
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Pros
Cons

Exterior and Interior

Each special edition model will come with it’s own unique set of features.

For the Clio, the aesthetic features include, FR arms on the front wings, bumpers and mirrors in body color, protective trims in gloss black, door handles in body color, a set of 16” alloy wheels, and chrome roof rails on the exterior. Over at the interior, you’ll see tinted windows, electric rear windows, a climate pack, a cruise control with speed limiter, a Mahogany Brown finish on the center console, dashboard trim, air vents and door handles, a Burton/Tweedy upholstery in Dark Brown textile and TEP fabric with the FFR logo embossed on it, Mahogany Brown door handles, and a stitched fabric dashboard trim.

Meanwhile, the “XV de France” Megane will have its own setoff unique features, including FFR arms on the front wings, bumpers, mirrors, trims in body color, a chrome trim on the radiator grille, front and rear parking sensors, and a set of Sari 17” alloy wheels on the exterior. As for the Megane’s interior, the features include tinted windows, a Carminat TomTom Live satellite navigation system, electrically adjustable fold-bock mirrors, front and rear mats with embroidered the FFR logo, a special Marro Glace dashboard trim with the FFR logo, a similar Marro Glace finish for the car’s central console, air vents, and door handles, front door inserts and central armrest in dark brown stitched TEP, chrome door handles, a Burton/Tweedy upholstery in Dark Brown textile and TEP fabric with FFR logo embossed on front headrests, a perforated leather steering wheel with satin chrome inserts and a gearshift knob in Dark Brown leather.

Performance

A number of engine options will come with for the two special edition models. For the Clio, the choices include two diesel variants that churn out 95 and 105 horsepower, respectively, and two gasoline variants that likewise produce 100 and 110 horsepower, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Megane comes with one gasoline powertrain that produces 130 horsepower and three diesel variants that have 110, 130, and 150 horsepower.

Pricing

Prices for the “XV de France” Edition models will begin at Prices for the models start at €17,250 ($23,380) for the Clio and €23,600 ($32,000) for the Megane with only a total 15,500 models being made, including 5,550 Meganes and 10,000 Clios.

Competition

One model that figures to be the Renault Clio's fiercest competitors in the European market is the Citroen C3 and it's 1.6-liter turbo diesel powertrain with 90 horsepower. Neither come doesn't scream 'power!' so don't expect a whole lot on both vehicles when it comes to muscle. At this level, aesthetics and efficiency are what you should be looking for.

On the other end, the Renault Megane also has a list of strong competitors, especially on the European market, including the Audi A3->ke1086, the Ford Focus->ke440, and the Volkswagen Golf->ke164. Compared to the plethora of powertrains the "XV de France" Megane will come in, an ideal basis of comparison figures to be the Golf, which also has a number of engine variants - an 80 horsepower, 102 horsepower, 122 horsepower and 160 horsepower version.