Renault has announced the special edition Megane Coupe-Cabriolet Floride, a model that was inspired by the classic 1960’s version. Just like that model the new Floride edition will be offered in France only with classic Floride Ivory livery, while for the rest of Europe the company will also offer a red exterior paint.
The Floride Ivory paint is combined with a high-gloss, piano black panoramic roof and standard-equipment 17-inch Sari aluminium alloy diamond-effect wheels also finished in ivory. The car’s name casted in a chromed 3D font typical of the era is also visible on the lower bodyside just ahead of the rear wheel arches.
The beauty of the exterior is combined with the elegance of the interior. The car gets seats fully upholstered in red leather, with the side bolsters picked out in ivory, the steering wheel is wrapped in two-tone red/ivory leather, while the dashboard is finished in red with an ivory trim strip.
Renault has launched in UK the special edition Clio Renaultsport 200 Raider. It will be limited to only 50 units and deliveries will begin this October.
The new Clio Rider will be painted in an exclusive matte Stealth Grey or Diavolo Red. Both colors will be contrasted by a gloss black finish to the roof, rear spoiler, F1-style front blade, rear diffuser and door mirrors. The car will sit on a new set of 18” Interlagos alloy wheels also painted in gloss black finish. They will be combined with a lower ride height, stiffer springs and dampers, quicker steering ratio and red finish to the Brembo brake callipers.
For the interior the model adds Recaro seats covered in leather, a zinc grey finish to the centre console and fascia inserts and a white rev counter. The list of standard equipments includes Bluetooth, USB connectivity, automatic climate control and Renaultsport carpet mats
The new Renault Clio - Renault’s offer for the B-segment market, has been caught testing for the first time in the European Alps. The mule caught testing combines the vehicle’s old body to a new front end and, even though it was covered in camouflage, we can still see that the new Clio will adopt a new look; expect to see a new grille incorporating the French manufacturer’s logo right in the center.
Despite the fact that the Alps were just covered in snow, Renault engineers still kept busy by doing some testing on the vehicle’s brakes. We can’t imagine the brakes would need a lot of work considering the Clio is only going to be powered by the milder engines in the current engine line-up. The 1.2 and 1.4 turbocharged tCe four-cylinders will return for the middle ground models, while a new 900 cc three cylinder engine producing 85 HP would be a spunkier alternative for the entry level model. As for the diesel lineup, Renault will be keeping the 1.5 dCi i4 which produces between 75 to 105 HP, but a 1.2 L turbocharged three-cylinder engine delivering 80 and 98 HP may also be in the works.
Expect to see the new Renault Clio at the Paris Motor Show in September 2012. Sales in Europe will begin shortly after and prices will be announced at a later date.
Renault unveiled the third generation Megane in 2008 and, although experiencing some great sales, is now up for a little refreshing. Renault isn’t planning anything big, but the Megane will receive just enough changes to keep the vehicle current and relevant in the market. The first prototypes for this refresher - a five-door hatchback and the Gran Tour - were recently caught doing some hot weather testing in Southern Europe.
Despite the heavy camouflage, the facelift Megane can be seen with a bigger lift that will incorporate the new Renault family look, a slightly modified bumper, and new graphics on the rear lights. These will more than likely be the only changes the hatchback will see. The engine lineup will stay the same, meaning customers can choose between the usual petrol and diesel engines. That being said, rumors are suggesting that the Megane will also be getting a new 1.5 liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine with an output of about 110 HP.
Renault, in collaboration with Gibson, is celebrating its second year at the Rock En Seine music festival with the unveiling of a one-of-kind Wind Gordini and a unique ’Gordini by Gibson’ electric guitar. The new "Gordini by Gibson" will be painted in a special blue livery with two white stripes.
The blue paint will be combined with gloss black feature across the bodywork and Gibson logos on the doors. The leather seats will feature a blue and white combination with Gibson logos embroidered on the seat backs. There is also a blue leather-trimmed dashboard, white seat belt straps, and chrome air vents and door handles to jazz up the otherwise boring model.
"We had tremendous fun designing the Wind-based ’Gordini by Gibson’ show car and carrying Gordini’s visual identity over to the Gibson SG ’61 guitar," says Julia Macfarlane, colours and materials designer at Renault. "I hope that we succeed in conveying the passion that fired us throughout the project and that visitors to the Rock en Seine festival will like the result."
