Dragonslayer: Renault rolls out the Twingo Extreme
The Twingo still won't take you to mythical Silene, but the UK gets its own specially pimped version of the entry-level Twingo called the 'Extreme.' Think of it as a Tercel Blackhawk en français, s'il vous plaît. The Twingo Extreme consists of mostly graphics for the exterior, though there's a few extra bits of gear thrown in, too.
Power is provided by a 1.2-liter engine, and Renault throws in specially trimmed wheels, a tachometer, and foglights. Soccer Football fans will undoubtedly choose the flag of St. George graphics for the exterior, and there's also Union Jacks for the door handles and stripes or checkered flags can adorn the outside, too, all for a modest price. MINI has already shown that customization at the dealer level is a popular activity, and we hope that the rest of the driving public soon becomes as smitten with small hatchy-things as we are. If we create enough clamor, they might send us a Jerry Lewis edition or something.
Press release after the jump
[Source: Renault]
Continue reading Dragonslayer: Renault rolls out the Twingo Extreme
(Via Autoblog.)
Spy Shots: Renaultsport Twingo 120
These candid spy shots show that the Twingo has clearly been hitting the gym, with flared wheel arches and new bumpers. Power is tipped to come from a reworked version of the Twingo GT's 1.2-liter turbocharged four, massaged to produce 120 hp, 20 more than stock and hitting the magic 100-horsepower-per-liter mark. That'd be good for a 0-60 run in about 8.5 seconds, and with an anticipated UK price tag of around £12,500 it'd make a solid competitor to the likes of the Suzuki Swift Sport, Fiat Panda 100HP and Ford SportKa.
Speculation says it will be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva show in March, and based on the apparent readiness seen in the spy shots, we'd call that a good bet and will bring you more from the show floor in three months' time.
(Via Autoblog.)
Last May saw Renault launch the Renault eco appellation, a hallmark which underpins the firm's pledge to produce a range of vehicles that are both ecological and affordable. Today, Renault takes the wraps off Logan Renault eco2 Concept, the experimental car it will use to contest the forthcoming Michelin-organised Challenge Bibendum in Shanghai, China. In addition to epitomizing the economical motor car, Logan Renault eco2 Concept is ecological, too, and complies with all three of the criteria relating to production, use and recycling required to warrant the Renault eco2 label. And with a CO2 score of just 97g/km, Logan Renault eco2 is particularly efficient on the emissions front.
The Renault eco appellation is an eloquent illustration of Renault's commitment to the production of a range of vehicles that are both ecological and affordable; in other words, vehicles that offer measurable results throughout their lifecycle and which make advanced technologies available to the vast majority of motorists.
To qualify for the Renault eco appellation, vehicles must comply with three criteria:
- they must be produced in an ISO 14001-certified factory,
- they must emit less than 140g of CO2/km, or else run on biofuel,
- they must be 95% end-of-life reusable, while at least five per cent of the plastics they contain must be sourced from recycling.
Today, 40% of the versions that make up the Renault range have already been awarded Renault eco status.
To participate in this year's Michelin-organised Challenge Bibendum (November 14-17), which takes place in Shanghai, China, Renault will be represented by the new Logan Renault eco Concept. In addition to this experimental vehicle's outstanding economical credentials, Logan Renault eco Concept is also ecological and complies with all three of the criteria required to qualify for the Renault eco label. To begin with, Logan Renault eco Concept was made in the Romanian factory of Pitesti which received ISO 14001 certification in 2005. Meanwhile, 8.3 per cent of the plastics it contains come from recycling and 95 per cent of its mass is reusable. Last but not least, a special effort has gone into achieving a level of CO2 emissions performance that takes it under the 100g/km threshold.
Logan Renault eco Concept is powered by a B30-compatible 1.5 dCi engine (63kW/85hp) and benefits from a long list of technical solutions and optimisations that all stand out as avenues of development for future Renault vehicles.
These solutions cover the following areas:
- Powertrain: modified pistons and injection system for enhanced combustion, detail work on tolerances and lubrication to minimise friction, new gearbox ratios.
- Aerodynamics: the combination of a VORTEX generator (a small, drag-reducing, roof-mounted feature), a flexible splitter under the front bumper, wheel fairings and a rear lip spoiler have enabled the Cd to be cut from the 0.36 of a standard Logan to 0.29.
- Running gear: Logan Renault eco Concept is equipped with low rolling resistance Michelin Pure tyres (185/65 R15). The camber and toe settings, as well as the braking system, have also been optimised as part of the across-the-board bid to combat friction.
The work accomplished on these three fronts enables Logan Renault eco Concept to boast record low CO2 emissions of just 97g/km (NEDC combined cycle), equivalent to fuel consumption of 3.8 litres/100km.
The dashboard of Logan Renault eco Concept is also equipped with a gearshift indicator which permits the driver to make an active contribution to the optimization of fuel consumption and reduce CO2 emissions. By taking full advantage of this feature's benefits, it is possible to take Logan Renault eco Concept's CO2 emissions performance below its homologated score of 97g/km.
Logan Renault eco Concept reaffirms Renault's determination to demonstrate that ecology and affordability are perfectly compatible and asserts its conviction that the most effective environmentally-friendly techniques are those that are readily accessible to the vast majority of motorists.
More practical and comfortable
Renault have today released the successor for the in 1997 launched Kangoo, the new Renault Kangoo. This 4.21 meter long LCV (light commercial vehicle), 18 cm longer than its predecessor, is available for businesses as well as families.
The new Kangoo comes with a choice of three engines, namely a 1.5 liter dCi (producing 70 hp, 85hp, 105hp or 105hp with DPF), a 90 hp 1.6 liter 8-valve engine and the 105 hp 1.6 liter 16-valve engine. Cargo space ranges from 660 liters to 2.8 cm3 with the seats folded down. The 1.5 liter dCi with 70 hp and 85 hp have been awared the Renault Eco2 badge.
The new Kangoo comes in three trim levels, Authentique, Expression and Privilège, where the Privilege trim has a foldable front passenger seat for even more storage space.
We can't really get excited about the new Kangoo here at WCF, but we must appreciate Renault's honesty, 'Reduced investment costs for optimal profitability' is how Renault titles the final pages of the press release.
Read on for further details.
Press Release
On its launch in 1997 Kangoo’s affable, expressive style revolutionised the leisure utility vehicle sector. Roomy and versatile Kangoo has been a success, selling over 2,300,000 units since it was launched. New Kangoo matches family expectations more closely. It draws on Kangoo fundamentals, turning them into an optimised blend of quality, comfort, and practicality.
By keeping engineering costs and reducing investment costs, New Kangoo is priced in a competitive bracket that is comparable to that of Kangoo. New Kangoo is produced in France, in the strongly modernised MCA Maubeuge factory. The first Kangoo was also manufactured on the same site, which is one of the most productive factories in Europe in the LCV segment.
At 4.21 m in length, New Kangoo’s resolutely contemporary, affable, cheery lines exert a strong appeal. Its short, chunky front end frees up space for the bright, airy passenger cabin, which is further enhanced by its steeply-raked MPV-style windscreen. Some versions have pop-open windows, and other others electric ones. All have large doors which open onto a comprehensively reworked interior.
New Kangoo emphasizes well-being and ride comfort. For improved ride pleasure, a number of features have been upgraded. With its outstanding roominess, New Kangoo has put the onus on space and the shared ride experience. It is 18 cm longer than its predecessor and that extra length has been lavished on the cabin, where more volume gives the five occupants more room and more comfort! Resolutely contemporary and featuring a more ergonomic design, the dashboard resembles an MPV’s, while the cabin has been refitted and finished with quality materials. New Kangoo boasts standards of thermal and acoustic comfort worthy of an MPV.
Some versions feature automatic climate control. Air is evenly distributed at both front and rear thanks to the design of the circuit, which has outlets at each passenger’s feet. To ensure acoustic comfort, engineers have used the same techniques as for the rest of the range.
New Kangoo takes an ingenious approach to modularity. With its practical design dedicated to the pursuit of leisure, it brings to the segment a novel touch of ergonomic design, roominess, and user-friendliness. Its 60:40 split-fold rear bench folds down easily in one fell swoop to form a flat load space. On some versions the front passenger seat can fold down in the same way, Payload can thus be boosted from 660 litres to 2.8 m3.
What’s more, in this configuration the vehicle can carry objects that are 2.5m long. New Kangoo’s interior boasts up to 77 litres of stowage space, with for example some handy aircraft-style stowage compartments for the rear passengers. It also debuts innovative longitudinal roof bars that convert into a luggage rack. No tools are needed and the rack can take loads of up to 80kg.
New Kangoo comes complete with a diverse and comprehensive range of reliable powertrain packages to meet the needs of all motorists: two petrol engines and one diesel, and three different outputs. This offering is firmly built on strong values like robustness, reliability, economy, and respect for the environment. The New Kangoo 1.5 dCi 105 (78kW) will offer consumers a diesel engine with particulate filter (76 kW) from launch-day-one. Both other 1.5 dCi powertrains (70hp/50 kW and 85/63kW) fulfil Renault’s eco2 signature, with CO2 emissions lower than 140g/km.
Developed from a C-segment platform that is acknowledged for its dynamic quality, comfort, and safety, New Kangoo offers features hitherto unprecedented in the leisure utility vehicle segment. Its 2.7 m wheelbase lends it sound, balanced, secure handling. Its active and passive safety equipment is identical to that of a family saloon. All versions are equipped with the latest-generation ABS and Emergency Brake Assist and engine torque overrun regulation functions. Some versions feature ESP with understeer control and ASR traction control.
For the safety of its occupants, New Kangoo benefits from state-of-the-art driver assistance systems, most of which originate in the segments above. They include cruise control/speed limiter, automatic headlamp actuation, and wipers with automatic rain sensors, none of which was available on the previous model. New Kangoo also has between two and six airbags, seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, and anti-submarining humps in the front and back seats, as well as three seats with Isofix anchorage points (depending on the version).
1. Family resemblance
- Affable and robust, it runs in the family
- Ambience for all tastes
2. Well-being and comfort in every seat
- A very automotive world
- Thermal and acoustic comfort levels unprecedented in the segment
3. Unprecedented modularity
- A range of functional interior layouts
- Every object has its place
4. High-performance, fuel-efficient engines
- 1.5 dCi: 70 hp (50kW), 85hp (63kW), 105hp (78kW), and 105hp with particulate filter
- 105hp (78kW) 1.6 16v
- 90hp (66kW) 1.6 8v
- New Kangoo and the Renault eco2 label
5. Top-class safety and dynamic performance
- A dynamic ride
- Top-class active safety
- Comprehensive protection
6. Reduced investments costs for optimal profitability
- New Kangoo: more than a “passenger vehicle”
- The same demands were made of the conception, testing and production of New Kangoo as of New Laguna
- Development engineering costs and investments costs reduced by 25%
- A strongly modernised MCA factory
- New Kangoo is central to Renault Commitment 2009
When we all thought the off track revelations have died down in the world of Formula 1, Mclaren come to the rescue with their involvement in another spying scandal, but this time they are the victims.
This time McLaren's Formula 1 rivals Renault have been summoned by the FIA over charges they were in possession of secret McLaren documents containing information about the McLaren fuelling system, gear assembly, oil cooling system, critical dimension data, hydraulic control system and a novel suspension component used in the 2006 and 2007 McLaren F1 cars.
McLaren's former Engineer Phil Mackereth is alleged to have taken 3 disks containing the detailed information with him to Renault, and if found guilty they could possibly be facing a $100 million fine as well as being thrown out of the constructors championship, if the FIA follows the precedence they have already set with McLaren.
The hearing is set to take place on December 6th.
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Passion and driving pleasure
Coinciding with the international launch of the new R27 Formula 1 car in Amsterdam today, Renault Sport Technologies unveiled the new Clio Renaultsport 197 F1 Team.
Offering sensations of pure performance, passion and driving pleasure, the limited edition Clio Renaultsport 197 F1 Team asserts its identity through a unique look and even sportier dynamics than the standard model on which it’s based, as well as being boosted by a range of equipment drawn from the best of competition vehicles.
Asserting the Renault F1 Team identity
With its red brake callipers, Liquid Yellow Renault ‘i-d’ metallic paint, anthracite alloy wheels and exclusive Renault F1 Team and World Champion decals, this new version of the Clio Renaultsport 197 is immediately identifiable with its larger sibling, the Mégane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26. The interior also features Recaro seats and the numbered plaque evokes its unique sports character.
New chassis and settings for the ultimate driving experience
Clio Renaultsport 197 F1 Team is the first version of the Clio Renaultsport range to benefit from the ‘Cup’ chassis, which will become an option on the Clio Renaultsport 197 towards the end of the year. Its ride height is lower than the Clio Renaultsport 197 and the chassis benefits from stiffer springs and dampers.
Ordering for the car will open in April and there will be 500 examples destined for the UK. Later on in the year, customers will be able to purchase the Cup chassis as an option for the standard Clio Renaultsport 197. Further details on the Clio Renaultsport 197 F1 Team will be released at the Geneva Motor Show.
