Category: Renault

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News Renault

Renault Clio III enters phase 2

Renault Clio III Phase 2 GT

Renault have just revealed images of the updated Renault Clio III. The Phase 2 update, including the all new GT model in these pics, will be revealed in full at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show next month.

The first iteration of the Clio III was a much greater design success than the previous model, which was a bit of a mish mash it has to be said. Looking at these new pics of the updated Clio III, it seems as though Renault is returning to that mish mash look, with the squared off grille being at odds with the rest of the car.

Oddly, even though images of the Phase 2 update have been revealed in GT model form, there is nothing else available at this stage confirming  engine or performance specs. For there is one thing certain, it doesn’t matter what the Clio looks like, it is a damn fun car to drive.

The other notable feature with the upgrade s the Carminat TomTom GPS navigation system. The fully integrated screen will cost less than £500 (AU$1100) and promises to be easy to update.

Although, judging by the lateness with which the first Clio III arrived in Australia, and then only in Renaultsport guise, it is unlikely we’ll be seeing this Phase 2 Clio III in Australia any time soon.

More pics and press material after the jump.

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Ferrari Formula 1 Renault

Alonso could have finished Kimi’s Ferrari career

Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa - teammates in waiting?

According to a report from Diario AS, a Spanish newspaper, Fernando Alonso was offered Kimi Raikonnen’s seat at Ferrari for the 2009 Formula One season. However, Alonso’s loyalty to Renault saw him turn down the opportunity to drive alongside Felipe Massa, the report claims.

The Spanish newspaper says Ferrari’s interest came too late and Alonso did not want to leave Renault without a lead driver just three months from the start of a new season. It is believed Alonso wanted an offer from Ferrari by mid-November last year. Rumours have suggested for some time that a contract already exists for Alonso to join Ferrari for the 2010 season, after his Renault contract has expired.

The article goes on to claim that Ferrari are worried Renault will finish above them in 2009 and Ferrari’s tifosi will start asking why Alonso wasn’t secured sooner.

Source AS.com via autoblog (Picture via FernandoAlonso.com)

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Renault

Renault Megane III revealed

Renault Megane III

Like Volkswagen’s recent release of Golf VI information, internet leaks from last week have forced Renault’s hand into releasing images of their new Mégane III prior to the official launch at next month’s Paris Motor Show. On sale in Europe from this November, the new Mégane will have all the usual advancements in safety and interior comfort. The engine range will also be upgraded. By the time the full model rollout is complete in 2010 there will be six different body variations. No signs yet as to what Renaultsport has in mind for the Mégane III, but you can bet it will pack a punch severe enough to have its rivals second guessing.

Overall the new Mégane is certainly less controversial looking than the previous model, with this new design having a more mature edge. Internally, the Mégane III also has gown up somewhat. Let’s hope the materials used have also taken a step forward.

More pics and Renault’s presss release below.

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Renault

Renault adds dynamic duo to hot hatch cave

Renaultsport Clio 197Renaultsport Megane dCi 175

Details of two new hot hatch additions to Renault showrooms have just been confirmed. The 145kW Renaultsport Clio 197 will set you back $36,490, plus on roads. Renault’s other new hatched crusader, the 125kW diesel powered Renaultsport Megane dCi 175, starting at $39,990, will go head to head with Volkswagen’s Golf GT TDI.

The Clio 197 is fitted standard with model specific 17” alloys wheels, leather steering wheel, aluminium pedals, trip computer and cruise control. If you feel like ticking a few options boxes you can have xenon headlights for $1750. A sunroof will cost you $1890. You can also upgrade to a 6 stack in dash CD player for another $800 and metallic paint will set you back the same amount.

A reasonably comprehensive alphabet of safety features are also included standard, including ESP and eight airbags. According to EuroNCAP testing the Clio III has a five star safety rating.

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Motorsports News Renault

Track day report – Spa Francorchamps

RSR Nurburg Clio tackles Eau RougeThere’s track days, and there’s track days. Sure, Eastern Creek is good, and Wakefield Park is not too bad either. However, in our wide brown land you just can’t hit the road for a couple of hours and arrive at Belgium’s Spa Francorchamps. Widely acknowledged as one of the world’s best racetracks. The steep climb and blind crest of Eau Rouge is perhaps the most anticipated corner on the F1 calendar. And, just like Eastern Creek and Wakefield Park, you can throw the track organisers some cash and take your own car around this awesome circuit.

This is exactly what Dale from RSR Nürburg did recently. As if living in Nürburg and working at the Nürburgring wasn’t already enough to make you jealous, then he rubs it in with his report of his first track outing at Spa behind the wheel of one of their track prepared Renaultsport Clios. It was raining, of course, but that didn’t stop him from having a great time.Check out Dale’s report in full at bridgetogantry.com, there’s also some great photos from Jochen at frozenspeed.

I’ve learned about these guys through running the Nürburgring focused AUSringers website, so when you’re done reading Dale’s report, make sure you check out AUSringers as well.

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News Renault

Renaultsport Mégane R26.R

Renaultsport Megane R26.R

The Renault Mégane III is due for release later in the year, so before saying au revoir to the current Mégane II le chaps from Renaultsport have seen fit to strip out the R26 (sorry, the Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26, to use its full title) and give it a good spanking around the Nürburgring Nordschleife. And my word, what a jolly good spanking they gave it. The 123kg weight saving, along with R spec rubber and the familiar engine, producing 168kW (230hp) and 310Nm torque, lapped the famed Nordschleife in a time of 8 minutes 17 seconds. That’s quick. Properly quick! The fastest lap by a production based front wheel drive car, in fact. You can see the lap in full on AUSringers.com as well as the company that lap allows the R26.R to keep. Très bien!

As you can see from the images below, you can have your R26.R in any colour, so long as it’s ugly. A bit harsh perhaps, but the Mégane’s styling has always been in the love or hate it category. Personally, and contradicting my last point, I’ve been on the fence in regards to the somewhat awkward lines of the French rocket. It could be argued that its angular and purposeful look suits the car’s drive me, and drive me bloody hard, attitude. That said, plastering garish stickers all over the car (including a Nürburgring 8:17 decal) and bright red wheels, along with a carbon fibre bonnet, could be described as akin to screaming out “No the Ssanyong Stavic is not the ugliest car in the world—I am!!!” Lucky then, that the R26.R is limited to just 450 examples, none of which will make it to Australia in any official capacity.

More images and Renault’s press release below…

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Audi BMW Hyundai News Nissan Porsche Renault

Hyundai introduces tamper proof identification labels

Hyundai tamper proof compliance label

In a bid to reduce the chances of vehicle re-birthing Hyundai has joined Audi, Nissan and Renault by introducing self-voiding vehicle identification labels. The labels are cheap to produce and will be rendered useless if removed from the car. The new labelling will replace the familiar aluminium compliance plates found on most other cars sold in Australia. The older style compliance plates are easily reused in a re-birthing industry that costs Australians around $250 million every year.

“Improved vehicle identification is a major focus of the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council” said NRMA Insurance Head of Research Robert McDonald, “vehicle identification technology such as self-voiding labels, cost less than $2 and are one of the best defences against professional car theft.”

Hyundai’s announcement follows the release yesterday of NRMA Insurance’s annual Vehicle Theft Ratings, which measure the ability of a car to resist being broken into, stolen and re-birthed. Hyundai’s Sonata was one of the top three performers in the medium car category, whilst the Grandeur scored the highest security rating in the large car category. Although the Vehicle Theft Ratings revealed that Subaru, BMW, Audi and Porsche were the standout manufacturers in 2008, with all of their vehicles performing well.

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Renault

Renaultsport Clio 197 image gallery

Renaultposrt Clio 197

The highly regarded Renaultsport Clio 197 is set to go on sale in the first week of August. The 197, based on the Clio III platform, is the only model in the current Clio range that will be coming to Australia and is expected to be priced in the mid-late $30K bracket. While we wait for more information from Renault have a read of this article from the Courier-Mail. AUSmotive.com will be sure to test this French masterpiece which now has beauty to go with its razor sharp brawn. In the meantime enjoy these images and be sure to click on each pic for a 2000px wide image. The cutaway image at the end is very cool!

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Fifth Gear MINI Renault

Renault Clio Cup v MINI Cooper S JCW

Renault Australia, get your arses into gear! Why do we not get the Clio down under? It was released when Napolean was telling Josephine ‘not tonight!’ There’s no excuses, surely!

Rant aside, this is a clip featuring the Renault Clio Cup and the MINI Cooper S with JCW tuning kit, as broadcast on the final episode of Fifth Gear’s series 13 (more on that to be posted later). Jason and Tiff abuse the cars around Cadwell Park and in a close affair the Clio Cup takes the beans from the mildly tuned Cooper S. While a more seriously tweaked factory built MINI John Cooper Works has been announced, which should give it the edge over the lightened Clio, it will get nowhere near the Clio Cup if ‘bang for buck’ is high on your purchasing criteria. C’mon Renault, bring it to Australia, you know it makes sense!