Renault Blog
London 2008: Renaultsport Megane R26.RFiled under: Euro, Hatchbacks, Misc. Auto Shows, Renault 
While most of our recent hot hatch affection has been aimed at the Ford Focus RS, Renault brought its own racy three-door to the London Motor Show party, and now we're torn. Admittedly, the Focus RS is easily the more suitable day-to-day driver - it's got a full interior and air conditioning -- but the Renaultsport Megane R26.R has all the kit for a serious track-day assault. Hell, it even has two Rs in its name.
With the new Megane slated to appear at this year's Paris Motor Show, Renault wanted to give the current model a fitting send off. To that end, it took the existing Megane F1 Team R26, left the engine, gearbox and limited slip differential intact, modified the suspension and hacked off 271 pounds from its curb weight. The diet included the removal of the rear seats, passenger side airbag, climate control, fog lamps, headlight washers, rear windscreen wiper and the majority of the soundproofing material. In exchange, the R26.R received a carbon fiber hood, polycarbonate quarter and rear windows and a titanium exhaust.
Inside, the Renaultsport hatch makes the RS look positively pedestrian, with a set of carbon fiber Sabelt seats, six-point harnesses, leather and suede swathed steering wheel and gear knob, and an optional four-point roll cage. While output remains the same, at 230 hp and 229 lb.-ft. of torque, the stripped R26.R lapped the Nurburgring in 8:17 - a new lap record for a front wheel drive production car.
Only 450 examples will be made available when sales begin in the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland and Spain this October. And unlike the Chevy Camaro, Renault released a video of the R.26R doing it's thing around the 'Ring... three seconds faster. Check it, along with the press release, below the fold.
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Renault leaks teasers for new Megane R26.RFiled under: Euro, Hatchbacks, Misc. Auto Shows, Renault 
Click above for high-res gallery of the Renaultsport Megane R26.R
The Renault Megane, with its "iconic" (read: quirky) styling, is on its way out, but that's not about to stop the speed demons at Renaultsport from having some fun with the hatchback before it's replaced. Sources indicate that the French automaker is preparing to take the wraps off a new hardcore hot hatch at the British Motor Show opening tomorrow.
Dubbed the R26.R, the vehicle is based on the existing Renaulsport Megane R26, only more track-focused with a full roll cage, carbon fiber seats and an aggressive weight-saving regimen that includes some carbon body panels and polycarbonate windows. The surfacing of these shadowed-out teasers seems like strange timing, considering that full images have already shown up on the radar a month and a half ago. However, a Nordschleiffe track decal suggests that the R26.R may have set a new Nurburgring record for a front-drive production vehicle.
[Source: CarScoop] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
French auto-journo hauled off for espionageFiled under: Spy Photos, Economy, Euro, Government/Legal, Paris Motor Show, Hatchbacks, Renault 
If you're in France, the phrase caveat emptor can probably be joined by caveat reporter after police raided the French magazine Auto Plus. The po-po were called last August to begin an investigation because the magazine published detailed photos of the coming Renault Megane, which Renault said wasn't supposed to hit showrooms for another three years. The raid was the next step in the Sherlock Holmes treatment.
Renault, of course, says that it is not after the press, it's simply trying to protect its intellectual property. The shots are so clear, and there are so many of them -- including the interior -- that it's obviously an inside job. The press, of course, feels that this is an attack on its freedom. The French press and the French government are engaged in a complicate dance, and this doesn't help things.
The police removed one reporter and a passel of computers. They don't want the reporter, though, they want the source. Auto Plus will have to wait to find out how much of that ever gets returned. But since the photos are out, we might as well take the time to say it's a nifty looking little car.
[Source: Reuters] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Dacia unveils the New LoganFiled under: Economy, Sedans/Saloons, Euro, Renault 
Click above for high-res gallery of the Dacia New Logan
Hot on the heels of the new Sandero five-door hatch, Dacia has unveiled a redesign of the cheap, little car that started it all for the offshoot of Renault, the Logan. Now dubbed the New Logan, Dacia's inexpensive four-door economy car gets spruced up on the outside with a new front fascia inspired by the Sandero, as well as additional chrome brightwork on some models. While just an evolutionary upgrade of the Logan's original four-year-old design, the mid-cycle refresh is well timed as the Logan line has now grown to include a pickup and now a hatchback. The interior has also been upgraded to include the new dash introduced in the Sandero, and we expect the new looks inside and out to make their way to the Logan Pickup, as well. There aren't really any mechanical upgrades of note, except the inclusion of the Sandero's new Emergency Brake Assist function, but what do you expect for a base price of €7,400?
[Source: Autoblog Spanish]Continue reading Dacia unveils the New Logan Permalink | Email this | Comments
Ford discusses selling Volvo with Renault, againFiled under: Ford, Volvo, Renault  As Ford reportedly prepares to offload Volvo and dismantle the last remaining vestiges of its once proud Premier Automotive Group, reports indicate that discussions were, once again, held with Renault.
The French automaker was tipped as a potential buyer when Jaguar was on the table, expressing interest in acquiring a luxury brand (and evidently forgetting it had Infiniti up its sleeve). Along with Chinese automakers, Renault has reportedly been in on-again, off-again discussions with Ford over the sale of Volvo as well, though Ford insists that its Swedish subsidiary is not for sale.
[Source: Automotive News - subs. req'd] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Nissan, Ghosn bracing for the worstFiled under: SUVs, Trucks/Pickups, Nissan, Renault  Times are tough in the US auto industry, and Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn doesn't see the situation improving any time soon. Ghosn and company are planning under the assumption that overall US sales won't break 15M units for the year, which is a substantial 2M units less than just three years ago. To complicate matters, the Japanese automaker expects steel prices to rise either later this year or early in 2009, which would put further strains on the entire industry.
While times are tough, Ghosn does see a silver lining for Nissan, as the Japanese automaker has a full lineup of fuel efficient cars that customers are buying. That should translate into increased market share, though since it's a larger piece of a smaller pie, it probably won't translate into more year over year volume. While that isn't reason enough to break out the Dom Pérignon, it's better than most automakers can say these days.
[Source: Forbes] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Race-ready Renault Megane R26 R revealed earlyFiled under: Car Buying, Euro, Renault 
Click above for gallery of the R26 R
Even though the official launch of the hot Renault R26 R isn't scheduled until the London Motor Show at the end of July, a couple pics of the race-ready hatch have been leaked. Powered by the same 169kW (225 hp) 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as its sibling, the R26 Megane, the R26 R differs with a serious performance edge. The interior features a roll cage and carbon-fiber seats -- best to match the new carbon-fiber hood. The dual exhaust is upgraded to lightweight and corrosion-resistant titanium alloy. New bright-red 18-inch wheels shod with optional semi-slick tires connect the performance-tuned suspension to the asphalt. Compared to the Megane, the R model trims 125 kg (275 lbs) of weight, bringing it down to a svelte 1,235 kg (2,722 lbs). With a limited-slip differential driving the front wheels, performance is said to include a sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than six seconds, but we bet its true performance capabilities are much more evident carving curves on the track. Production of the R26 R will begin in November. As expected, don't plan on seeing any in the States.
[Source: Autocar] Permalink | Email this | Comments
From the Monegasque Rumormill: Alonso to Ferrari in 2010Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Ferrari, Renault, Rumormill 
They say a rumor repeated often enough will become true. If that's the case, then one of Ferrari's drivers had better start updating his CV, because the rumor-mill's a churnin' again over Fernando Alonso's speculated move to the Scuderia. The report was flying around Monte Carlo, where the F1 circus made its most recent stop. But while previous reports placed the two-time world champion in the red racing suit for 2009, the latest reports push that off a year until 2010.
Alonso, of course, beat out Ferrari's mega-star Michael Schumacher two years in a row to win the world title before leaving Renault for McLaren. That arrangement most famously didn't work out, resulting in Alonso's release from his contract and his subsequent return to Renault. The contract was said to be for two years with an out clause after one, but the French team has failed to perform this year and Alonso has scored a paltry nine points six races now into the season. He's been angling for a Ferrari drive and the Scuderia has been rumored to take a liking to the accomplished Spaniard.
However, the renewed reports raise several questions. Most pressing is which of Ferrari's current drivers would be given the oust to make room for Alonso? Kimi Raikkonen scored the title for the team, but this year Felipe Massa is following very shortly behind the defending champ. Second to that comes the issue of sportsmanship and teamwork, both of which are highly prized in Maranello and severely lacking in Alonso's demonstrated character. But while these and other issues seem prohibitive, we wouldn't be all that surprised to see how quickly they can be dismissed in pursuit of a dominating championship.
[Source: GrandPrix.com, Photo by Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Officially Official: Renault unveils Laguna Coupe in CannesFiled under: Coupes, Renault 
Click on the Laguna coupe for a high res gallery
With the Monaco Grand Prix and the Cannes Film Festival both taking place this weekend on the shores of the Mediterranean, Renault chose the latter as the backdrop for its latest model unveiling. The new Laguna Coupe is getting a preview amongst the stars of Cannes with a stylish new look that gets away from some of the downright bizarre hindquarters of some recent Renaults. Along with the midsized coupe, the French automaker is revealing a pair of new V6 engines fueled by gasoline and diesel. The gas engine comes in at 3.5 liters and 240hp, and while we are unlikely to see the Laguna on US shores anytime soon (or ever, for that matter), the diesel engine will be appearing under the hood of cars from Japanese partner Nissan in 2010. The 3.0L diesel V6 was shown last fall at the Frankfurt Motor Show, generates 235hp and 331 lb.-ft. of torque, and is expected to join the Nissan Maxima lineup in a couple of years. The front-wheel-drive Laguna coupe should have some interesting chassis dynamics thanks to its four wheel steering system. Renault will provide full details on the new coupe at the Paris Motor Show in October, but you can read through its teaser release after the jump.
[Source: Renault]Continue reading Officially Official: Renault unveils Laguna Coupe in Cannes Permalink | Email this | Comments
Renault debuts electric sedan in IsraelFiled under: Concept Cars, Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Green, Renault 
A landmark was recently passed on Israel's road to reduced dependance on foreign oil when Renault and Project Better Place held a demonstration of an electric car that will hit Israeli streets next year. For those unacquainted with Project Better Place, the Silicon Valley start-up headed by tech guru Shai Agassi has teamed up with Renault-Nissan to build and deploy fully electric Meganes in the seaside Middle Eastern country. The batteries that will power the vehicles are built by a joint-venture between Nissan and NEC, have a 125-mile range and will be supported by half a million charging stations and hundreds of battery-swap stations. Those specs should be enough to satisfy drivers in a country barely 60 miles between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, and 260 miles from the Red Sea to its border with Lebanon. An initial launch fleet is scheduled to hit roads next year before sales begin in late 2010. The hope is that Israel will prove a suitable test case before the project can be launched in other countries. Norway Denmark has already signed on, but suitability for bigger countries (like the United States, where long commutes are commonplace) will largely depend on advances in battery technology.
[Source: Haaretz via AutoblogGreen] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Confirmed: Nissan/Renault developing low-cost Nano-killer with BajajFiled under: Economy, Nissan, Renault, India, Tata 
It was rumored that Nissan/Renault was serious about fielding a low-priced competitor to the $2,500 USD Tata Nano, and the automaker made it official today by announcing a plan to produce an equally inexpensive car called the ULC in conjunction with Indian automaker Bajaj Auto. The two companies are forming a joint-venture to produce the ULC, which will be built at an all-new facility in Chakan, India at an initial rate of 400,000 units per year. The Tata Nano has no need for concern just yet, as the ULC isn't scheduled to go on sale until early 2011 in India and then even later in export countries. We're doubtful that the U.S. is among those export considerations, but parts of Europe will likely see the ULC not long after the Nano arrives in their market.
[Source: Nissan/Renault]Continue reading Confirmed: Nissan/Renault developing low-cost Nano-killer with Bajaj Permalink | Email this | Comments
Nissan/Renault considering Nano competitor for IndiaFiled under: Economy, Hatchbacks, Nissan, Renault, India 
Countries like China and India are a hotbed for the auto industry, and every major automaker is looking to improve its standing in the emerging markets while they're still on the ground floor. Low-cost micro cars are all the rage in the East, and Nissan/Renault is looking into getting a piece of that action by producing a Nano fighter. Nissan Motor India Director Neeraj Garg told The Times of India that while higher priced sedans and SUVs are also scheduled for India's booming auto market, a low-priced hatch is also on the wishlist if the pricing is right.
Company officials say that the low-cost transportation could be among six new products scheduled for India by 2012, and with the country's low-cost labor, Nissan/Renault could also export any vehicles it makes there.
[Source: The Times of India] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Renault Megane leaked in French magFiled under: Spy Photos, Euro, Paris Motor Show, Hatchbacks, Renault 
Click to view more of the upcoming Renault Megane
Renault has been hard at work on the replacement for the current Megane. Following the new Clio, which came out three years ago, the Megane is an important model for the French automaker, designed to face off against volume leaders like the Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit and Ford Focus. French magazine Auto Plus has managed to obtain some undisguised shots of the car, presumably obtained from a Renault employee in exchange for a case of wine, a carton of Gauloise and/or a joke about Americans.
As promised, the new Megane will be substantially more subdued in its styling than the love-it-or-hate-it current model, with its curved upright rear window. The front end borrows heavily from the new Laguna, hinting at a common design language for the company. There's certainly some similarity between the production version and the Megane Coupe Concept unveiled at the Geneva show this year. Although the production Megane will predictably be considerably more conservative than the show car, the three-door appears further differentiated from its five-door stablemate with more sporting lines. See for yourself in the scanned magazine pages in the gallery below. The car looks just about ready to hit the market, so a debut at Renault's home-turf Paris Auto Salon this fall would be a good bet.
[Source: AutoPlus.fr via theCarfanatic.com and Autoblog Spanish] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Grand Prix: Renault F1 opens internship programFiled under: Motorsports, Contests, Euro, Renault 
Click the image above to view in high resolution
If you're a recently graduated or soon to graduate student in a technical or scientific field, listen up, because this could very well be the internship that could jump-start your career. Every year for the past five, the Renault F1 team has picked the top entry in a contest for a six-month internship. The competition is run by the Altran Engineering Academy, the technological manpower agency that consults for the team. Entries are accepted in eight F1-related fields based on 500-word summaries of innovative ideas that could help the Renault cars beat the competition.
The winner is chosen from among nine finalists who present their proposals this summer to a jury chaired by the Renault F1 team's head of R&D at its headquarters in Enstone, England. Applications are due by May 15, and having observed the results of last year's selection, the competition is fierce, so if you want a shot at working with the best, better get crackin'. More information is available in the press release and video after the jump, and a whole mess of snappy pictures can be found in the gallery below.
[Source: Altran Engineering Academy]Continue reading Grand Prix: Renault F1 opens internship program Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
New Dallara GP2/08 chassis shows big improvement over outgoing modelFiled under: Motorsports, Renault 
Teams in the second-tier GP2 series have completed initial tests of the new 2008 spec car, which is already showing a marked improvement over last year's model. The feeder series founded in 2005 by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and Renault chief Flavio Briatore runs identical Dallara chassis powered by 580hp 4-liter Renault V8s shared across the board by all 13 two-car teams.
The new Dallara GP2/08, which will remain in place over the next three seasons before replacement, was the only non-F1 car to pass the full 2007 FIA crash tests. Introduced over a two-day test session at the Paul Ricard circuit in France this past weekend, the 2008 model features a number of updates, primarily focused on aerodynamics. Although most of the 26 cars ran largely without problems, a few cars revealed extra strain on the front suspension and steering assembly as a result of the new aero package. Overall, the GP2/08 chassis ran lap times about 0.6 seconds faster than the outgoing model, expected to be reduced by a full second once the initial problems are ironed-out as the series closes in on its season opener on April 26-27 at the Catalunya circuit as a support race to the 2008 Spanish Grand Prix. The title winners from each of the past three seasons in GP2 - Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton and Timo Glock - have all since graduated to Formula One, and with all 13 teams confirmed to campaign again this year, the 2008 GP2 Series is shaping up once again as the place to watch for the next generation of F1 wunderkind.
[Source: Autosport, Photo: Drew Gibson/GP2 Series Media Service] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Geneva 2008: Renault Megane Coupe Concept - more details, more pics, more slickFiled under: Concept Cars, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Geneva Motor Show, Euro, Hatchbacks, Renault 
Click above to view high-res gallery of the Renault Megane Concept
Renault is known for doing hatchbacks, and it does them well, but that's about it. Seeking to increase its market share, Renault's range is rapidly expanding to include a more diversified line-up. Unveiled alongside the new Laguna GT and the Koleos crossover - both also divergent models from the company's small hatch mainstream - the Megane Coupe Concept aims to show the way forward for Renault.
Although what you see here is not what will hit the road when the new Megane arrives, Renault insists that its "dynamic voluptuousness" is a direct indicator of the more fluid form its upcoming Golf-fighter will take. While everyone else was scrambling to come up with new ways to reinvent the wheel internal combustion engine, Renault's new concept is powered by a regular old 2-liter turbocharged four with 200 horsepower, which frankly doesn't seem that impressive considering that the Clio Renaultsport's naturally-aspirated 2.0 produces just three negligible horsepower less. Fine, so notwithstanding its F1 cars, big impressive engines aren't Renault's thing. Meanwhile, the big gullwing doors are the most obvious element to get axed along the next Megane's road to production, but if the road car bears even a passing resemblance to what could easily be labeled as Renault's most engaging show car in years, European customers will have reason to celebrate and we'll have one more entry on our list of cars we wish we could get Stateside.
Right up until its unveiling, Renault was highly secretive on the Megane Coupe Concept, revealing only that there would be a fourth model premiering in Geneva alongside the Koleos and Laguna GT. Now that the veil has been lifted, however, we've garnered all the details in the press release after the jump and Renault's images, which join our own in the gallery below. Check 'em out to learn more about Renault's vision for the future of the automobile.
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Ghosn: Nissan not pursuing partnership with ChryslerFiled under: Geneva Motor Show, Plants/Manufacturing, Nissan, Renault 
According to Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault-Nissan, the Franco-Japanese carmaker is not interested in adding additional alliances with Chrysler at this time. While Chrysler recently inked a deal to have Nissan manufacture subcompacts to sell in South America, that is as far as it goes. "We have an OE deal. Period," Ghosn said during an interview at the Geneva Motor Show.
It seems Nissan's eyes are elsewhere. Watching GM sales in Russia double from 2006 to 2007, and believing the Russian car market may surpass Germany this year, Renault-Nissan wants its share of the pie, too. The first move was taken when Renault purchased a 25% stake in Avtovaz in December 2007. Avtovaz is Russia's largest automaker and the manufacturer of Lada, its best-selling brand. Now, the company needs to quickly transfer Nissan and Renault platforms and engines to Lada in order to modernize its lineup and compete with an increasing number of imported brands. Once that job is complete, Renault-Nissan will move towards assembling vehicles in Russia, as well.
Don't bet that Ghosn isn't still eyeing Chrysler, as he was quick to add, "We are going to continue to do deals with everybody when they make sense." Of course he will.
[Source: Freep] Permalink | Email this | Comments
Geneva 2008: Renault Koleos clocks in for workFiled under: Geneva Motor Show, Euro, Crossovers/CUVs, Renault 
Click above to view high-res gallery of the new Renault Koleos
Renault pulled out all the stops for this year's Geneva Motor Show, taking the wraps off the swoopy Megane Coupe concept, as well as debuting the Twingo Renaultsport, Laguna GT and this, the Koleos crossover. Although closely based on mechanicals borrowed from sister-company Nissan, the Koleos is far more of a complete project than that other pair of French sport-utes from archrival PSA Peugeot-Citroen.
The Koleos shared center stage with the Megane Coupe this week, outlining how important the new model is to Renault. This is its first proper foray into the sport-ute segment, finally surrendering when the French automaker realized the crossover craze would not be subsiding any time soon. When you can't beat 'em, join 'em, the saying goes, but push come to snooty shove, Renault actually appears to have done a decent job.
For all the details, refer back to the preview post we featured on the Renault Koleos, and be sure to view our gallery of live shots from the show floor alongside Renault's own press shots by clicking on the thumbnails below.
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Geneva 2008: Twingo Renault Sport so cute you might want two or threeFiled under: Geneva Motor Show, Euro, Hatchbacks, Renault 
Click above for high-res gallery of the Renault Twingo Sport
This is another in a long line of European cars we just can't buy in the States, but that we'd give our left lug nuts to drive on a daily basis. The recently unveiled Twingo Renault Sport joins a group of euro cars that combine economy and fun, with an emphasis on sporty looks and handling to match. If this sounds like your kind of thing, you'll be upset to know that it still isn't coming here. For masochists, you can read more about the Twingo Sport in the press release after the jump, but the short version is that this third Renault Sport model is based on the new Twingo that was unveiled here in Geneva last year. Checking the Renault Sport box on the order form adds a 133-hp 1.6L motor to the tiny hatch. Add in Renault's expert chassis tuning and the whole package should guarantee an exciting ride... for Europeans.
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Geneva 2008: Renault Megane Coupe conceptFiled under: Concept Cars, Coupes, Geneva Motor Show, Euro, Crossovers/CUVs, Renault 
Click above for high-res of the Renault Megane Coupe concept.
Koleos, Laguna GT and Twingo RS. Those are three of the four new models which Renault was anticipated to unveil at this year's Geneva show, but right up until the end of the press conference, a big question mark hung over the identity of the fourth. The wraps have been taken off and the veils have been lifted, revealing the Megane Coupe concept.
The existing Megane - along with its distinguished curved rear window - is on its way out, and Renault is assuredly working hard at a new design that will capture buyers' attention in an increasingly crowded market. But while the concept is likely a very far ways away from what the production version will end up looking like, it did grab its share of attention. See for yourself in our high-resolution image gallery below.
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