Renault added today a new version in its Megane line-up. It will join the current Hatchback, Coupé, Grand Scénic and Scénic and will go on sale at the end of this month.
The new Megane Estate is being offered with a choice of eight diesel engines and six petrol ones. Diesel line-up includes: 1.5 dCi with: 85, 90, 105 and 110 hp; dCi 130 engine that develops 130 hp, 2.0 dCi with 150 and 160 hp. Petrol line-up includes: TCe 130 with 1,8 liters and 130 hp, 1.6 16V with 100 and 110 hp, 2.0 16V 140 hp CVT and TCe 180. All the engines are mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
The new model features sporty, elegant lines, a longer wheelbase that ensure plenty of carrying capacity, low-profile windows, chrome longitudinal roofbars.
It also benefits from lots of the latest technologies: two fully-integrated, joystick-operated, centre console-mounted navigation systems: Carminat TomTom and Carminat Bluetooth DVD, a digital speedometer, Hands-free entry, 3D Sound by Arkamys.
Could Renault finally be coming out with the Twingo C+C? "We are working on a small convertible for 2010," said Renault executive Yves-Eric Morel. If so, this €15,000 roadster may give the U.S. a new reason to want Renault back. We’ll have to wait for the Frankfurt show in September to find out.
Renault revealed today the special edition Clio Campus. First revealed in 2005, the new generation Clio Campus comes with a new visual identity and new engines.
The new special edition features a redesigned front bumper and grille, the trihedral panel behind the logo has been dropped and the bottom air intake has been modified to highlight the front end’s personality. It is equipped with new flatblade-type windscreen-wipers, and the bigger exterior mirrors not only minimize blind spots but also comply with current rear view legislation.
The engine line-up includes two petrol engines: 1.2 60 and 1.2 16V 75, two diesel engines: the dCi 65 and the dCi 85 and one LPG engine: 1.2 60.
Don’t get too bent out of shape about Renault not selling cars to the U.S. when you see this video. Although the guys from Drivers Republic got wheel time in the 360 hp Megane Trophy, its not road legal in Europe either. On the other hand, 250 hp Megane RS is a reason to be jealous.
The new package includes: metallic paint, twin chrome exhaust tailpipes, 17-inch Talisman aluminium alloy wheels, bi-Xenon adaptive lighting, automatic dual-zone climate control with air quality sensor and much more.
The Laguna Coupe Black Edition is powered by a dCi 150 engine, which drives through a six-speed manual gearbox.
Renault has chosen the glamorous weekend which sees the Cannes Film Festival coincide with the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix to take the wraps off Laguna Coupe. The flowing lines of the newcomer’s elegant, uncluttered design express timeless beauty and the promise of sheer motoring enjoyment.
Its performance provides unprecedented pleasure behind the wheel thanks to the combination of its Active Drive chassis equipped with four-wheel steering – which has been acclaimed by the media across Europe on the GT version of Renault Laguna – and the two new V6 powerplants which have been introduced at the same time as this image-forging vehicle. The brand new V6 dCi, which is poised to become a benchmark in terms of performance and pleasure, delivers 235hp (173kW), while the new 3.5-litre petrolpowered V6 offers 240hp (175kW). Laguna Coupe stands out as an inspiring, fourseater with genuine sensual appeal and will be shown in further detail at the forthcoming Paris Motor Show in October.
Renault Laguna Coupe bears a close resemblance to the racy concept car revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2007, while its elegant styling and proportions boast all the hallmarks associated with truly exceptional coupes. Its distinctive front end suggests the presence under the bonnet of the finest Renault-Nissan Alliance engines which have been designed and developed to ensure supreme driving enjoyment. Indeed, Renault Laguna Coupe is capable of accelerating from standstill to 100kph in less than seven seconds, and this upper-range performance combines with the Active Drive chassis and four-wheel steering to deliver optimum pleasure at the wheel. > More
The Alpine will not see a comeback. At least this is what Renault has decided, the reason being the disastrous economical situation that the world is facing. However, we will see a comeback of the Gordini brand in Europe with the introduction of a new Twingo Gordini model in 2010.
After Twingo, Renault will also launch enthusiast versions of the Clio and Megane Coupe. Renault’s global marketing director Stephen Norman revealed the company’s plan at an event following the Geneva expo. Mr. Norman confirmed that Renault had been forced to can certain new car endeavors – such as the proposed rebirth of the Alpine coupe.
"But Alpine is one of two sports car brands Renault owns,’ he said. ’Think of the possibility of sporty Renaults with steps up like the Mini Cooper and Cooper S."
Gordini models will be placed above the current RS models and will be recognized by their signature blue paint jobs and a pair of white stripes.
The second model (next to the Megane RS) revealed today by Renault Sport at the Geneva Motor Show is the Clio RS 200. Sales will begin in May.
Clio RS 200 is powered by a normally-aspirated 2.0 16V engine that delivers 200hp at 7,100rpm and a peak torque of 215Nm at 5,400rpm. The new Clio RS 200 accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in just 6.9 seconds. The top speed increases by 2mph to 141mph.
The Clio RS 200 offers enhanced handling with the front and rear tracks widened by 48mm and 50mm respectively. The wheelbase is extended by 10mm to 2,585mm for greater stability, while the front suspension’s independent steering axis layout is unique in the Clio’s segment. This technology uses aluminum components to minimize weight and provides resistance to torque steer.
The name Alpine is close to the hearts of many French car enthusiasts. The Renault-owned manufacturer made machines that knew how to carve up the street of the track. Alpine hasn’t produced a car of its own since 1996, but the horsepower wars was supposed to rekindle the Alpine flame.
Unfortunately the worldwide economic meltdown extinguished the hopes for the brand’s revival. Renault’s Chief operating officer Patrick Pelata told Autocar: "It’s a casualty of the [economic] crisis."
Then again we knew this was coming. The new Alpine was supposed to share a platform with the upcoming Nissan 200SX. So two weeks ago when we got word that Nissan killed the 200SX, we should have also seen it as the death of the new Alpine.
Renault will bring the hottest Megane ever at the Geneva Motor Show. First revealed as the Megane Trophy at the Paris Auto Show, the Renaultsport Megane (Megane RS) is now being teased by an official web page that announce the world debut in 13 days. When we lay eyes on the production car next month, we expect the Megane RS will look like a mixture of the Megane coupe and Megane Trophy, likely taking most of the Trophy’s front-end styling.
Although the concept car in Paris featured a 3.5-liter V6 making 360 hp, the production RS will be much tamer. Under the hood Renault will likely place the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine from the current Megane R26. The engine should get a 20 hp bump from its current application to raise the total to 250 hp. That should be good for a 0 to 60 mph time of less than six seconds.
Picture Gallery
Post a comment
RSS -
Webmaster free news |