Renault Blog
Renault F1: Sponsored by... Lada!Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising, Renault, Russia 
Renault R30 F1 car - click above for high-res image gallery
Renault F1's got itself a new sponsor: Lada. The Russian automaker's logo will appear on the R30 racing cars, as seen above, as well as the driver and crew uniforms. The announcement was made at a meeting held this Monday in Moscow, attended by Vladimir Putin, Carlos Ghosn, new Renault F1 pilot Vitaly Petrov, and a gaggle of other functionaries.
If you think the Lada sponsorship has anything to do with Renault F1 bringing the Russian rookie on board as the full-time #2 driver alongside lead guy Robert Kubica, you're right. It pretty much has everything to do with it, as both Genii Capital (the majority stakeholder in Renault F1) and Renault-Nissan (25% stakeholders in AvtoVaz, Lada's parent) actively work to advance their interests in Russia.
Petrov's hiring is part of a broader overture toward Russia (on Monday, Ghosn came right out and said that Petrov's nationality played a role in his selection), and the Lada sponsorship is obviously a reciprocal act. And it may not be the last one, either, as Putin indicated during Monday's meeting that Russia (i.e. Lada) could increase its sponsorship involvement in the future.
Clearly, the most important takeaway from all this, however, is that the idea of a shirtless Vladimir Putin, watching the Monaco GP from the deck of a Typhoon-class sub moored among the superyachts in Monaco Harbor, no longer seems completely outlandish.
[Source: Renault F1, Government of the Russian Federation via Autoblog UK, Crash.net]Renault F1: Sponsored by... Lada! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsGeneva 2010: Renault Clio and Twingo get the Gordini treatmentFiled under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Renault
Renault Clio Gordini R.S. - Click above for high-res image gallery
It's amazing what a little paint and a few stickers can do for a small car. To illustrate that point, take a gander at the special Gordini edition Renault Clio and Twingo in the gallery below. Granted, the improvements reach much deeper than just those stickers, but the matte blue paint, white accents and white decals give these little runabouts a purposeful look and signal to the world that they are the top-of-the-performance-heap Gordini editions.
For those who need a refresher, Gordini is the name of a legendary Renault racing engineer. Amédée Gordini brought Renault some rally racing glory in the mid-'60s with the iconic R8 Gordini. Renault recently revived the name, reestablishing it as the top rung trim level on its already racy Renault Sport (R.S.) editions. Mechanically similar to their R.S. counterparts, they are mainly distinguished by retro styling touches (like the classic French racing blue paint scheme with white stripes) and an extra dose of exclusivity. Plus, they just look badass.
The first product in the new range, the Twingo Gordini R.S. had already debuted last November, but here at the Geneva Motor Show, the company unveiled their Gordini edition Clio as well. We have galleries of both cars for you below, the Mini-sized Twingo and the slightly larger Clio. Both cars have the performance upgrades found on R.S. models, with larger wheels, Brembo brakes, Conti SportContact3 tires, diffusers, heat extractors and that great livery. Check out the little "G" confetti in the stripes - classic.
Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Geneva 2010: Renault Clio and Twingo get the Gordini treatment originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsGeneva 2010: Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet lets the light shine inFiled under: Convertible, Budget, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Renault 
Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet - Click above for high-res image gallery
In addition to the smaller Wind roadster, Renault is showing off another droptop at this year's Geneva Motor Show - the Megane Coupe-Cabriolet. Much larger than the Wind, the Megane CC is poised to compete with the likes of the Volkswagen Eos or Audi A5 convertibles. And while the design isn't nearly as svelte as the Audi, it's a bit more attractive than the often-overlooked Eos.
As is the trend these days, the Megane uses a folding hardtop configuration with a glass roof so drivers can let the sun shine in even when the lid is closed. From there, Renault is offering a total of seven powertrain configurations, encompassing both gas- and diesel-powered mills, as well as dual-clutch, manual and continuously variable transmissions. The new Megane CC will hit European dealerships this spring and you'll never see it in the U.S, so check it in both galleries below.
Live photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Geneva 2010: Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet lets the light shine in originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsGeneva 2010: Renault Wind roadster drops its topFiled under: Convertible, Budget, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Renault 
Renault Wind - Click above for high-res image gallery
Remember the Honda Civic Del Sol? We sure do, and we couldn't help referencing it in regards to the new Renault Wind roadster. This funky little coupe/cabriolet takes everything that we love about two-seat convertible motoring and puts it in a more functional, compact, everyday-drivable package.
Unlike the Del Sol (or even the recent Pontiac Solstice Coupe), the Wind's roof panel is operated by a power mechanism that flips the roof back 180 degrees and stows it under the rear trunk lid. The whole operation only takes 12 seconds, and Renault says that with either the roof on or off, there's still roughly 9.5 cubic feet of usable cargo space out back. Not bad, especially for a car that's only slightly larger than a Mini Cooper. (The Cooper convertible, by contrast, makes due with six cubic feet of trunk volume with the rear seats in place.)
It's cute and compact while offering top-down thrills, and we'd be happy to take one for a spin any day of the week. Scroll through our gallery of images to see the Wind live on the Geneva show floor.
Live photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Geneva 2010: Renault Wind roadster drops its top originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsSmart move? Daimler reportedly teams with Renault for next-gen minicarFiled under: Convertible, Coupe, Budget, Minivan/Van, Sedan, Hatchback, Nissan, Smart, Renault, Electric 
2009 Smart Fortwo - Click above for high-res image gallery
The Daimler brain trust of Dieter Zetsche and Thomas Weber has reportedly struck a deal with Renault/Nissan to develop its next generation of minicars due out in 2014 or so. As you would expect, Daimler will get a new Smart Fortwo out of the deal while the Franco-Japanese conglomerate will use the design for unknown future models that could bear both the Nissan and Renault nameplates.
According to Automobile Magazine, Daimler insisted on retaining the Smart brand's trademark rear-engine and rear-wheel drive configuration, which was somewhat understandably met with some trepidation by Renault. Also held over will likely be the steel safety cage design with interchangeable plastic body panels so the resulting vehicles will be safe and easily distinguishable from each other.
Not surprisingly, electric powertrains will be part of the mix, along with a newly developed 1.0-liter direct injected three-cylinder engine and a duo of 1.3- and 1.5-liter fours. The modular chassis may also be lengthened in order to spawn a new four-seat Fourfour and a taller Formore micro-minivan with sliding doors.
[Source: Automobile Magazine]Smart move? Daimler reportedly teams with Renault for next-gen minicar originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsSilent electric vehicles to cause new problems for NVH engineers?Filed under: Hybrid, Technology, Renault, Electric 
A researcher at Renault said customers surveyed last year about what they want in an electric car responded, "silence, peace of mind and comfortable riding, a windy sound quality, a fluid driving experience like a skipper enjoying a sailboat." That sounds dreamy, until you realize how loud a car really is underneath all of the regular drivetrain noises we've come to expect from an ICE-powered ride. For instance, when we drove the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe two years ago, we heard nothing - and that's absolutely nothing - of the world outside, but that meant we could hear the windshield wiper motors mounted on the bulkhead.
Electric cars are going to bring many more and much greater challenges than that, and engineers are beginning to discuss how to overcome them. The noise, vibration and harshness culprits in an electric vehicle include battery cooling systems, HVAC fans and ducts, coils for the power electronics, and switching on range-extending engines on vehicles so-equipped. These are the kinds of noises covered up easily by engine and other low-frequency noises, but in an electric car, they can make one feel strapped into a curious contraption.
Of course, there is also the question of what to do for others who depend on the sounds of cars, such as blind pedestrians and cyclists. Sound engineering is the most talked about approach right now, but no one knows what shape this will take. Lotus Engineering created a Safe & Sound system that used a waterproof speaker to emit an make engine noise - but wasn't part of the promise of electric cars meant to be quieter cities? It's all still to play for when it comes to the future of NVH, but please please, no ringtones...
[Source: Ward's Auto | Image: Lotus Engineering]Silent electric vehicles to cause new problems for NVH engineers? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments10 Million Served: Renault celebrates Clio's 20th with special editionsFiled under: Wagon, Europe, Hatchback, Renault
Renault Clio 20th Anniversary Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery
Renault has certainly been keeping busy. In addition to restructuring its F1 team to come back with a fresh design for 2010, the French automaker has recently unveiled an innovative new Megane coupe-convertible, the equally interesting Wind roadster and a slew of new panel vans. All the while, Renault is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its bread-and-butter model, the Clio.
Over the years, Renault has sold a staggering 10 million units of the Clio, putting it on par with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Toyota Camry as the 20th top-selling car of all time, but in a shorter timeframe. To kick off the festivities, Renault has released special edition versions of the Clio hatchback (both three- and five-door configurations), Clio wagon and Clio RS hot hatch.
All the 20th anniversary Clios get a mouthful of black trim and, of course, the requisite special badging. The hatch and wagon can be ordered in a variety of color combinations, while the RS special comes exclusively in two-tone white and black, complimented by 17-inch BeBop wheels. Equipment levels depend on the market, with orders already taken in France ahead of other European markets starting next month. Pricing starts at €14,350 (just shy of twenty grand in Benjamins), with the Clio RS 20th commanding €24,700 (about $34k USD). Full details can be found in the press release after the jump, with high-resolution images in the gallery below.
[Source: Renault]Continue reading 10 Million Served: Renault celebrates Clio's 20th with special editions 10 Million Served: Renault celebrates Clio's 20th with special editions originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsThe Wild Card: Red Bull unveils 2010 RB6Filed under: Motorsports, Renault, Racing
2010 Red Bull Racing RB6 - Click above for high-res image gallery
What you're looking at here is not a Formula One race car. Sure, it looks like a race car, but what it is, in fact, is a wild card.
Following a tumultuous 2009 Championship that saw everything overturned, the 2010 F1 season is gearing up to be an absolute battle royale. If it weren't enough adding four new teams to the grid (with another waiting in the wings) and the departure of two major manufacturers from the series, three top World Championship teams are entering the upcoming season with multiple World Champions behind the wheel. Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari may find the front of the pack all to themselves, relegating the rest of the grid to fight for table scraps and the odd point here or there. Or, if last season proves any indication, Red Bull Racing - our wild card pick for 2010 - could stand to upset the champions with a fight of their own.
As surprising as it was last season to see Brawn GP scoring victory after champagne-soaked victory, that team had the benefit of a strategic mastermind, the resources of a world-class automaker and two highly experienced drivers to its benefit. Red Bull, we'll argue, was the bigger surprise. The team started in 1997 as Stewart Grand Prix before changing to Jaguar Racing three seasons later, finally to be bought by Red Bull in 2005. But since Stewart's only race win in '99, the team in its various incarnations never managed to break out of the middle of the pack. Until last season, when Sebastian Vettel - still a relative rookie and the youngest race winner in F1 history - started racking up the wins. Four of them, in all, while his experienced wingman Mark Webber scored a couple more for the team... and the first in his long career.
Last season, however, was last season. What was chaos then is turning back into order now, and to take on the World Champions in the hope of joining their ranks, Red Bull Racing will need one heck of a good car. In accordance with the latest formula, the RB6 accommodates a larger fuel tank and double diffuser design. Otherwise, aside from some small aero tweaks - expected to be further adjustments before and once the season starts - the design is mostly a carry-over from last year's victorious RB5, right down to its Renault engine. Will that be enough to run at the front of the pack? We'll have to wait and see. In the meantime you can check out the mega gallery of high-resolution images by clicking the thumbnails below.
[Source: Red Bull Racing]The Wild Card: Red Bull unveils 2010 RB6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsOfficially Official: Renault drops the top on Megane at GenevaFiled under: Convertible, Coupe, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Renault 
2011 Renault Megane Coupe-Convertible - Click above for high-res image gallery
For 2011, Renault is launching an all-new version of its Megane coupe-convertible. Like the last generation model and most of its European market competitors, the Megane gets a folding hardtop, but somewhat like its competitor the Volkswagen Eos, this one lets the sun shine in even when closed. The Megane gets an all-glass roof, which, while letting you see the world, will probably do nothing to help the car's center of gravity. On the other hand, the black finish does help to visually hide the roof when it is raised, a stylistic windfall that partially alleviates the peculiar proportions of such hardtop convertibles. That said, this doesn't really appear to be a high-performance proposition, so we're guessing that more potential customers won't care about the extra weight up top anyhow.
To its credit, Renault has managed to retain a surprisingly large trunk on the Megane with 14.7 cubic feet top up and even 7.45 cubic feet available with the top down. The Megane has seven powertrain configurations available with six gas and diesel engines combined with manual, dual clutch and continuously variable transmissions.
The new Megane coupe-convertible goes on sale in Europe this spring.
[Source: Renault]Continue reading Officially Official: Renault drops the top on Megane at Geneva Officially Official: Renault drops the top on Megane at Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsGeneva Preview: Renault flip-top Wind roadster [w/video]Filed under: Convertible, Geneva Motor Show, Renault 
Renault Wind roadster - Click above for high-res image gallery
Renault has just released information on its diminutive new roadster dubbed "Wind," a car they will debut at next month's Geneva Motor Show. At just 150.7 inches long, the Wind is just about five inches longer than a Mini Cooper. In keeping with the current fashion for hardtop convertibles, the wind doesn't use fabric for the lid. Because of its small size, the complex mechanized lids found on cars like the Volkswagen Eos or even the larger Renault Megane simply wouldn't be practical.
Instead, the roof panel of the Wind simply flips over 180 degrees to stow under its rear deck. If this sounds familiar, think back about five years ago to the Ferrari 575M Superamerica, which used an almost identical system, albeit with an electrochromatic panel called "Revcromico." Renault hasn't released any details about the mechanicals or when the Wind will be available. Hopefully, we'll find out at the show. In the meantime check out the pop-top's video after the jump.
[Source: Renault]Continue reading Geneva Preview: Renault flip-top Wind roadster [w/video] Geneva Preview: Renault flip-top Wind roadster [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsRenault F1 launches R30 with back to the future livery [w/video]Filed under: Motorsports, Renault, Racing 
Renault R30 F1 challenger - Click above for high-res image gallery. Follow the jump to watch video.
On Sunday the Renault F1 team revealed its 2010 race car with a color scheme that hearkens back to the team's debut in the late 1970s. The yellow-and-black livery was the traditional pattern used by Renault on its Formula One and Le Mans sports cars before the company began taking on title sponsors.
Of course, the downside of the retro look is that the team still has not signed a title sponsor to replace insurance company ING, which called it quits last summer after the team was found guilty of having Nelson Piquet Jr. deliberately crash during a race in late 2008.
The automaker now owns only a minority stake in the team after having sold most of it to Genii Capital.
At the launch of the new racer, Renault also announced that Russian Vitaly Petrov will run alongside ex-Sauber driver Robert Kubica in the second car. Petrov is the first Russian to get a full-time F1 drive. A video and press release are included after the jump.
[Source: Renault]Continue reading Renault F1 launches R30 with back to the future livery [w/video] Renault F1 launches R30 with back to the future livery [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsFlavio Briatore suing the FIA... again?!Filed under: Motorsports, Government/Legal, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Renault 
Flavio Briatore is out for blood. The flamboyant Italian billionaire and disgraced former director of the Renault Formula One team was kicked out of the sport by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) in the wake of the "Crashgate" affair involving Nelson Piquet Jr., but subsequently won an appeal in French courts overturning the FIA's ban (along with that of his cohort Pat Symonds) The courts upheld the argument made by Briatore's lawyers that the FIA's judicial process was corrupted under Max Mosley's presidency, and that its rulings were illegal.
Despite the legal victory, Briatore says he'll never manage another F1 team again. He is, however, reportedly opening another lawsuit against the FIA for lost income. Part of the lifetime ban imposed by the motorsport governing body included Briatore's driver management agency, which had to give up such talents as Fernando Alonso and Heikki Kovalainen. The lawsuit will seek damages for those lost revenues, as well as the damage caused to Briatore's professional reputation.
For its part, the FIA - now under new leadership - has announced its intention to overhaul its procedures to separate the powers, but that won't stop Flavio from seeking his day in court.
[Sources: Pitpass, Autosport | Image: Clive Mason/Getty]Flavio Briatore suing the FIA... again?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Suzuki breaks off alt-power partnership with GMFiled under: Europe, Japan, GM, Suzuki, Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials, Renault, Peugeot, Electric, Diesel  According to Reuters, Suzuki plans on ending joint development programs with General Motors next month - the two had been partnering on innovative hybrid and fuel-cell technologies. The news follows on the heels of last month's announcement that that Suzuki and Volkswagen had tied the knot (as part of that agreement, VW bought 19.9 percent of Suzuki and effectively became the automakers biggest shareholder - a position formerly held by GM). As the theory goes, it soon become clear that working with GM was no longer necessary. According to the report,
"Suzuki is in a comprehensive alliance with Volkswagen. In every field including hybrid, diesel and electric cars, we will carry out joint development with them, or we will learn from them," Osamu Suzuki, chairman and chief executive, said at the briefing in Hamamatsu, central Japan.
The new relationship with VW will also affect Suzuki's association with PSA Peugeot-Citroën and Renault SA, automakers currently supplying diesel engines to Suzuki. After all, VW brings extensive diesel engine technology to the table - making those relationships equally as moot.
[Source: Reuters]Report: Suzuki breaks off alt-power partnership with GM originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsClio S: Renault offers the hot-hatch look... sans the "hot"Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Renault, UK 
Renault Clio S - Click above for high-res image gallery
Every so often, Renault impresses and teases us with the launch of a new hot hatch. Impresses because they're widely rated as some of the most dynamically competent micro-machines on the road today. Teases because, well...they don't offer them in North America. So all we can do is admire from abroad such offerings as the Twingo 133 Cup, Clio 200 and Megane R26.R, to name just a few.
The range is set to expand both upwards (with the likes of the new Gordini line-up) and downwards (with the adoption of the GT range), but every once in a while, Renault fakes us out with something that when it comes down to it, really only looks the part. The World Series editions were one recent example, and now the French automaker has launched the Clio S for the British market.
Sure, the Clio S looks the part. It's got 16-inch wheels, a spoiler on the trailing edge of its roof, a front lip spoiler below the grille and racing stripes galore, all done up in contrasting white. But the Clio S lacks the go to back up the show. Engines are limited to 75- and 100-horsepower fours and an 86-hp diesel. Not exactly Renaultsport figures, but then neither are their prices, ranging from £11,209 to £13,458 all-in (that's around $18k-22k USD, not accounting for the UK market's inflated pricing). So for the moment, we can rest easy this time around, neither impressed nor enticed. Details in the release after the jump and photos in the gallery below.
[Source: Renault]Continue reading Clio S: Renault offers the hot-hatch look... sans the "hot" Clio S: Renault offers the hot-hatch look... sans the "hot" originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsDarkness Follows: Renault's Dacia brand launches Black LineFiled under: Budget, Europe, Renault 
Dacia Logan, Logan MCV and Sandero Black Line - Click above for high-res image gallery
These days it seems like every color is being claimed for one cause or another. Medical research has laid claim to a few (pink and yellow come to mind), but so has the automotive industry: red for performance, green for hybrids, blue for clean diesels... Mercedes adopted black as the label for its most extreme AMG models, but now the shade is being used for something decidedly more low-rent: Renault's budget brand and Romanian subsidiary, Dacia.
Available on the Logan, Logan MCV and Sandero - though not, apparently, on the Logan pick-up or the upcoming new Duster crossover - the Black Line adds a touch of class to the budget cars. The package, based on the Laureate trim level, adds such "special" touches as metallic paint, visible top-stitching on the black fabric upholstery, MP3-capable CD player and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. Nothing ground-breaking here, and it's not going to outshine an SL63 by any means, but finally a car Top Gear's James May can drive to the symphony. Details in the press release after the jump and photos in the gallery below.
[Source: Renault]Continue reading Darkness Follows: Renault's Dacia brand launches Black Line Darkness Follows: Renault's Dacia brand launches Black Line originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: French court overturns F1 bans for Briatore and SymondsFiled under: Motorsports, Government/Legal, Renault
Former Renault Formula One leads Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds
It looks like 2010 is starting off as a better year for Flavio Briatore. According to Planet F1, a French court has overturned the lifetime ban on the former Renault Formula One head honcho, along with alleged co-conspirator Pat Symonds. As you no doubt recall if you're still reading this, back in September, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile found the pair guilty in the so-called "Crashgate" conspiracy involving driver Nelson Piquet, Jr. of Renault F1. Nelsinho was allegedly told to crash on purpose to protect a win for teammate Fernando Alonso in the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
The FIA had found the pair guilty, doling out a lifetime ban for Briatore and a five-year ban for Pat Symonds, then director of engineering. Although Briatore had threatened legal action against Piquet and his manager-father in the wake of the ruling, the only legal action he ended up taking was to file an appeal with the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Paris. The TGI has sided with Flavio claiming the FIA's sanction "was illegal." Besides overturning their bans, the court also awarded the pair damages, although the amount was small compared to what the pair was seeking. It remains unclear as to if, when, or where the duo will make their returns to racing series, but knowing Briatore, we'll all know as soon as he decides. Thanks for the tips, everyone!
[Source: Planet F1 | Image: Paul Gilham/Getty]Report: French court overturns F1 bans for Briatore and Symonds originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsGeneva Preview: Renault teases new glass roof Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Renault 
2011 Renault Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet - Click above for high-res image
When Renault gets to the Geneva Motor Show in March, it will inevitably show off its lineup of limited range battery powered vehicles. However, the star of the stand may well be the car the French automaker teased this morning: the new Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet.
"Coupe-cabriolet" is Euro-speak for a retractable hardtop convertible, and while we're not huge fans of folding tin-tops due to their peculiar (read: unattractive) proportions, added weight and complexity, if one French automaker can pull it off, it might just be Renault. Only time will tell if Renault has managed to overcome these issues, but considering the new Mégane will have a glass roof, there's a good chance the coupe-cabriolet will be on the heavy side.
[Source: Renault]Geneva Preview: Renault teases new glass roof Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: '09 F1 participants needed to sell more than 25,000 cars to break even on investmentFiled under: Motorsports, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Earnings/Financials, Ferrari, Renault 
Melbourne, Australia newspaper The Age has a story on the break-even point for automakers in Formula One. The numbers are based on research done by Formula Money, a company devoted to detailing the financial goings-on in F1 - however, they don't make much sense at first glance. According to The Age, F1's manufacturer-backed teams "Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Renault and Toyota spent €608 million ($970 million) on Formula One racing" last year. To recoup that total investment they needed to sell at least 25,000 cars, combined, at an average price of $38,800.
The questions arise when it is claimed that Ferrari "makes €275,000 ($393,643 U.S.) per car sold, and so only needs to sell 153 vehicles to break even on its €42 million ($60 million U.S.) investment in F1." We can hardly believe Ferrari spent just $60M on F1 last year; if so, that would have left the other four teams to spend an average of $227.5M apiece based on a total spend of $970M.
According to F1 Fanatic's team budget numbers for 2008, Ferrari spent $414.9 million, and going by F1 Network's numbers for 2009, Ferrari spent $365 million last year. We don't know where the truth is among the numbers in The Age's report. What we do know, however, is that no matter what the real numbers are, they never added up for BMW, Renault or Toyota.
[Source: The Age]Report: '09 F1 participants needed to sell more than 25,000 cars to break even on investment originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsZetsche reportedly says Daimler to pick new compact car partner by mid-2010Filed under: Budget, Mercedes-Benz, Smart, Renault, Rumormill 
Despite rumors of Daimler and Renault collaborating on a four-door Smart model, no official tie-up between the two companies has been announced. That could change next year when Daimler will reportedly decide who its small-car partner will be. Daimler is getting even more heavily into the development of small cars, both with its Smart brand and the Mercedes-Benz A- and B Class offerings that might one day make it to America.
Renault is planning a line of ultra-cheap small cars and is putting together a range of electric vehicles that will certainly feature new, small platforms. Like Daimler, the French automaker is talking to other companies about joining forces to save money on developing small cars, so a Daimler-Renault alliance isn't a fait accompli. According to Automotive News, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche says the company will announce its chosen partner by the middle of 2010.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]Zetsche reportedly says Daimler to pick new compact car partner by mid-2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsRenault stays in Formula One after selling stake in teamFiled under: Motorsports, Renault 
The Renault name will remain on the Formula One grid when the series resumes in 2010 thanks to a deal announced on Wednesday. There had been considerable speculation in recent months that Renault would shut down its F1 effort and follow Honda, BMW and Toyota out the door. These rumors hit a fever pitch after the "Crash-Gate" controversy and the sudden departure of primary sponsor ING.
However, in the past couple of weeks it became plausible that Renault could stay in the sport although in a scaled down fashion. Luxemborg based Genii Capital will buy a majority stake in the team which will retain the automaker's name. The exact percentage hasn't been disclosed although the earlier speculation had Renault retaining only 25 percent of the team.
Renault will retain the engine building operation and continue to supply the Red Bull Racing team in 2010. The press release is after the jump.
[Source: Renault]Continue reading Renault stays in Formula One after selling stake in team Renault stays in Formula One after selling stake in team originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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