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Renault

Better late than never

Clio Renault Sport F1 Team R27

The Clio Renault Sport F1 Team R27 was first revealed over two years ago in January 2007. Now, finally, we will see this car in Australia at next week’s Melbourne International Motor Show, with sales beginning in April. Although, you may need to get in quick, as only 40 R27s are being imported.

Renault are asking a smidgen under $40K for their hottest of hot hatches, a $3500 premium over the regular Clio 197. If that tickles your fancy, you’ll be able to choose from a palette of three colours; Toro Red, Glacier White and, for an extra $1000, Victory Yellow.

Australia’s newest Clio is powered by the same 2.0 litre engine from the 197 model. So, you get a six-speed manual gearbox, 145kW at 7250rpm, with 215Nm of torque at 5550rpm.

The Clio R27 has the Cup chassis enhancements, which means with stiffer suspension and other tweaks, the more you throw at this little dynamo the more you will receive.

Brembo calipers (312mm front/300mm rear) are wrapped inside some curiously named BeBop anthracite rims. Making sure you can’t forget Renault’s F1 Constructor’s titles from 2005 and 2006 are a series of decals placed over the car, which complete the look.

Inside you get some tasty Recaro seats, saving six kilos over the regular seats. There is also climate control air conditioning and cruise control fitted. Renault’s ESP system helps keep you in check and a plaque individually numbering the car reminds you how special you are.

It’s great that the feisty little bugger is coming down under, but a shame that the feistiest of all Renaults, the Mégane R26.R, won’t be coming to Australia.

Full presser after the jump, plus more pics, including some cool cutaways proving, beyond doubt (haha), the car’s F1 links!

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Fifth Gear Renault

Fifth Gear dogfight: Renault Megane R26.R v Caterham CDX

Renault makes some might fine hot hatchery, and the Megane R26.R has to be up there as one of their best. But surely Renault’s latest balls out track special is no match for a raw, lithe and uncompromising Caterham?

Join Fifth Gear’s Tiff Needell to find out. Be prepared from some froggy cornering goodness.

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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.

Categories
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.

Categories
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.

Categories
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!