Renault comes back to China by the back door
By Yoann Besnard on 15 May 2008 | 
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Despite showing its commitment to India, the French carmaker wants to have a factory in China, but failed to find a valuable partner until now.
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Renault-Nissan annouces their £1,250 car
By Yoann Besnard on 13 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Renault-Nissan has given the green light to the future Nano competitor due to be launched by 2011.
See also : Industry News | Nissan | Renault | Tata
Spyshots: next-generation Renault Megane
By Yoann Besnard on 30 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Here the spyhots of the next-generation Megane without camouflage which will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show according to the latest information.
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Renault-Bajaj small car in first half of 2011
By Yoann Besnard on 30 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Renault CEO confirmed at the shareholder general assembly that emerging markets were a priority and that Renault was putting its efforts on the future £1,200 car.
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Renault-Nissan won't forge an alliance with Chrysler
By Yoann Besnard on 30 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Despite rumours that promotes an alliance between Chrysler and Renault-Nissan, Carlos Ghosn said at the shareholder general assembly that troubled American carmaker isn’t interested in an alliance with Renault or Nissan.
Renault unveils Koleos' pricing for France
By Yoann Besnard on 29 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The French carmaker has unveiled French market’s prices for the new Koleos which will be launched on June 12, 2008.
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Spyshots: Renault Laguna Coupe & Megane 5 Doors
By Yoann Besnard on 29 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Two future Renault models have been spotted during testing in Australia: Laguna Coupé and Mégane.
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Renault works on an electric car
By Yoann Besnard on 26 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Renault has confirmed it is currently working on an electric car due to be launched by 2012.
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Renault to sell two other SUVs.
By Yoann Besnard on 1 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
In an interview with Autocar, Renault head of design, Patrick Le Quement reveals that the carmaker has two other SUVs in development.
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Renault to cut its Indian sales targets
By Yoann Besnard on 27 March 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Renault has cut its Indian sales targets as growth was not as fast as expected. However the carmaker still plans to launch a budget car in India.
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Renault to fit ESP on Twingo
By Yoann Besnard on 12 March 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Renault will feature the ESP on the he New Twingo as an option from next month. The safety device will cost around £230.
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Geneva: Renault Koleos
By Yoann Besnard on 7 March 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Renault has officially unveiled its first SUV/crossover at the Geneva Motor Show under the form of the Koleos model, seen as a concept car at the 2006 Paris Motor Show.
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Geneva: Renault Megane Coupé
By Yoann Besnard on 7 March 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Renault has unveiled the Megane Coupé concept car that previews the next-generation Megane due to be on sale next year.
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Geneva: Dacia unveils the European Sandero
By Yoann Besnard on 5 March 2008 | (2) Comments | Permalink
Renault's budget brand Dacia has launched an assault on the small car market by unveiling the Sandero model which is intended to take on established rivals such as the Ford Fiesta and the Renault Clio.
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Samsung under Renault's influence in the future
By Yoann Besnard on 4 March 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Carlos Ghosn has revealed that Samsung will become the spearhead of Renault in Asia as the company’s models will switch to Renault platforms.
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Logan to conquer the US?
By Yoann Besnard on 28 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Mahindra & Mahindra has to double its efforts to catch up with Tata that will announce next week the acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover. The Indian carmaker is considering building a plant in the US.
See also : Renault
Renault unveils the Laguna III GT with a unique four-wheel drive system
By Yoann Besnard on 24 February 2008 | (1) Comments | Permalink
Renault has decided to spice up its tame saloon, the Laguna III, by unveiling a GT version which features a unique four-wheel steering system.
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Renault may revive Alpine
By Yoann Besnard on 19 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The French carmaker might relaunch the Alpine brand and it is rumoured that the company might unveil a small roadster to spearhead a revival of the French marque.
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Video of the Koleos in action
By Yoann Besnard on 18 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
After the two videos published yesterday which showed the exterior and interior of the new Renault Koleos, here is a new video that shows a dynamic Koleos trying some off-road exercises.
Bajaj-Renault-Nissan to finish small car's plan soon
By Yoann Besnard on 18 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Bajaj Auto, which plans to develop a low-cost small car in partnership with Renault-Nissan, is expected to announce the final details of the project in a "few weeks" according to the company’s CEO Rajiv Bajaj.
Renault to sign AvtoVaz Agreement in the next few weeks
By Yoann Besnard on 18 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The French carmaker will likely sign its partnership agreement with AvtoVaz in the next few weeks and will then become the third largest car group in the world.
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Videos about the new Renault Koleos
By Yoann Besnard on 17 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Here are two videos of the new Renault Koleos. The Koleos can be considered as the first vehicle being designed and built by the Renault-Nissan cooperation. It has been designed by Renault’s teams, but engineered by Nissan and will be buiilt by Samsung Motors owned by Renault in South Korea.
Renault to slow down the Laguna's production
By Yoann Besnard on 17 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Four months after its launch, Renault has decided to decrease the saloon’s production as it doesn’t meet a huge demand.
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Renault executives to seat on AvtoVaz board
By Yoann Besnard on 13 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
According to the Russian business newspaper Vedomosti, Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan and Renault, and four other Renault managers will likely seat on AvtoVaz board.
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Renault details the Koleos ahead of Geneva
By Yoann Besnard on 11 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Renault has unveiled the official pictures of its first ever SUV, the Koleos. The new SUV is similar to the eponym concept car showed at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. The Koleos will go on sale from June.
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Renault to build a DSG transmission
By Yoann Besnard on 6 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Renault product planning Chief Patrick Pelata has confirmed that the company’s engineers were working on a dual clutch gearbox.
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AvoVaz might cancel its contarct with Magna
By Yoann Besnard on 6 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
AvtoVAZ might cancel its agreement with the Canadian Magna as Renault bought a 25% stake in the Russian car maker.
See also : Industry News | Renault
Renault has unveiled the Twingo RS
By Yoann Besnard on 1 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The car you see here is Renault’s serious attempt to spice up the Twingo model which looks a little tame compared to the iconic Fiat 500.
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Spyshots: Renault Twingo RS
By Yoann Besnard on 22 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The current Renault Twingo range is topped by the GT version which is powered by a 99bhp 1.2-litr petrol engine, but Renault engineers are working hard to finish the future RS version set to compete with the Fiat 500 Abarth and the Suzuki Swift Sport. The car has been spotted in Italy.
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Renault has recorded a 15.5% increase in November
By Yoann Besnard on 18 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
French car maker's global sales have recorded a 15.5% increase in November over the same period last year thanks to the new models and the Logan. Since the beginning of this year, Renault recorded a 1.3% increase.
See also : Industry News | Renault
Spyshots: Renault Laguna coupé
By Yoann Besnard on 13 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Due to be unveiled at the next Geneva Motor Show, the Renault Laguna coupé has been caught during winter testing.
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Samsung QM5 unveiled
By Yoann Besnard on 22 November 2007 | (2) Comments | Permalink
Samsung has unveiled its latest model, a brand new SUV called QM5, which will go on sale in South Korea in early December. Expect to see it under the Renault Koleos badge in Europe next spring.
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Samsung QM5's brochure
By Yoann Besnard on 20 November 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Samsung had revealed the QMX SUV at the 2007 Seoul Motor Show, but we still were waiting for more detailed pictures. Thanks to a leaked brochure, here are the first pictures of the interior. Do not expect to discover a traditional Korean design. In order to cut cost, the Samsung SUV share almost all its components with the future Renault Koleos. Here, even the dashboard looks like a Renault's. It will be on sale next year.
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Renault's future coupe to get powerful diesel engines
By Yoann Besnard on 13 November 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The conservative new Mk3 Laguna looks rather dull. Fortunately, Renault seems to be aware of the problem and unveiled the Laguna Coupe concept car at the last Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The proportions are brilliant: menacing and yet pretty at the same time. Unfortunately, French carmakers suffer from weak engines which can not compete with the German competitors. This situation might change with this sleek coupe according to the recently released technical specifications.
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Mk3 Megane flying on the Nürburgring
By Yoann Besnard on 8 November 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Here are the pictures of a flying Megane. Do not expect a new sporty version. This is the future Mk3 Megane being tested on the Nürburgring. Why on the Nürburgring? What a better way to compete with German competitors than using the same testing references? Like the Renault 19 twenty years ago, the Mk3 Megane will try to match the German leitmotiv: sportiness and quality.
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Renault to build a new factory in Morocco
By Yoann Besnard on 6 September 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Renault has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Morocco to build a new plant on the outskirts of Tanger. Due to be ready for 2010, the new factory will enable Renault to build 200,000 cars per year at the beginning. Later, it will be able to build 400,000 cars every year.
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Renault Megane III
By Yoann Besnard on 13 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Discovering the full design of the new Renault Laguna was tough. In complete contrast, the future Megane III has been unveiled - unnofficially and apparently unintentionally - in the latest issue of the French weekly car magazine Auto Plus. Rather than the usual artist's interpretation, put together using insider information and guesswork, the magazine has surprised observers by publishing a real photograph of the car.
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Twingo 2 CC
By Yoann Besnard on 5 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
According to the weekly French car magazine Auto Plus, Renault will display a Twingo II convertible at the next Geneva Motorshow in March 2008. The car will be sold a few months later at the competitive price of around £10,000/€15,000/$20,000.
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3000 USD Renault?
By Yoann Besnard on 19 June 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
According to the French newspaper Le Figaro, Renault is seriously considering building a 3,000 USD car that would be sold in India. The French carmaker is so serious about this business that it plans to open a new Technocentre (Renault's jargon for R&D department) in India. The newspaper also reveals that the car wouldn't be sold in Europe because it wouldn't meet the European safety requirements.
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Laguna III pictures
By Yoann Besnard on 7 May 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Expected to be launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show next September, the new Laguna might be revealed sooner according to a Renault website dedicated to its new breed.
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Renault goes to China
By Yoann Besnard on 20 December 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Having a factory in China is an obligation if you want to be considered as serious by Chinese car dealers and customers. Renault currently sells four models — Scenic, Megane, Vel Satis and Laguna — in the Middle Kingdom but 740 vehicles found an owner last year. In the middle of last year, Renault teamed up with Dongfeng, which produces the old ZX, the Xsara, Picasso and the 307 in a joint venture with PSA.
The purpose of this joint-venture is to produce 300, 000 Logan per year but talks took longer than planned and Carlos Ghosn has clearly expressed the will to focus on core markets. This difficult situation for Renault, which won’t unveil any new model before 2007, could lead to them postponing the Chinese project. They might even cancel it.
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Renault shoots first unveiling Clio III
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 17 June 2005 | (2) Comments | Permalink
After 7 years and 4.5 millions copies built, the Clio II gives way to the Clio III. Developed in 28 months only, the Clio III takes up the B-platform already used on the Renault Modus and Logan as well as the Nissan Micra and Cube. In the Clio III programme, Renault has spent €953 million among which 630 were committed to production–related investment.
Renault has not taken any risk when drawing the Clio III. It’s a nicely balanced small car, sharply contrasting with the audacious Mégane II, from which it borrows the rear suspension scheme. In the cockpit, there are more references to the Mégane, such as the door handles and dials. Accommodation is claimed to be noticeably improved - shoulderoom is now 138cm - and so is the boot capacity, raised to 288 litres, or 1,038 litres when the rear bench is totally folded. However, contrary to that of the Yaris, the bench can’t slide. These values remain just average though, for a 5-door Punto’s boot has a capacity of 297 litres for example.
The equipment has not been left aside: hands-free card, automatic air-con, panoramic electric sunroof, Carminat Guidance System, rain and light sensors, cruise control with speed limiter and parking assist with reversing radar are standard or optional.
If Renault managed to improve roominess, it’s because passing from second to third generation, the Clio has been sized up. With a length of 399cm, a width of 170cm and a wheelbase of 257mm, the Clio is now the biggest in its class. But it might not last too long for the oncoming Punto III, Corsa and 207 will follow the same trend. This increase has a counterpart: the Clio III weighs 1,090kgs at least, with a peak at 1,210kgs for the 5-door 1.5 dCi. Besides, with a 0.72cdA drag, aerodynamics is quite poor. Rigidity and safety should nevertheless benefit from this increase, Renault targetting a 5-star EuroNcap rating.
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Renault Clio III
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 2 June 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink
In September, Renault will present the achievement of the X 85 program, i.e. the new Clio. Sharing its platform with the Nissan Micra, this new supermini will be built in Renault’s Turkish plant of Bursa, for which the French carmaker has invested € 216 million.
With a 15-centimeter increased length, the Clio III should provide a slightly better accommodation than its predecessor. Renault targeting a 5-star score at the EuroNcap, a part of this increase will be dedicated to shock-absorbing zones.
As a consequence, the Clio III will be heavier. To cope with this, more powerful engines are planned. The weak 1.2 8V must disappear while the 1.5 dCi’s power will rise up to 110bhp and the 1.6’s to 115bhp. Besides, a new 143bhp block is to be introduced.
To crown it all, an RS version fitted with a turbocharged 2.0-litre 200bhp engine coupled with a 6-speed gearbox should be launched in the mean time (see our picture).
Following Peugeot’s example, Renault has decided to endow the Clio with a foldable hard-top late 2007.
We can expect nice fights in the supermini category, for the new Clio, Punto, Corsa and 207 will all be presented in a few months’ time.
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Logan, the low-cost Renault
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 2 June 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink
A modern brand-new car for £5,500? Renault has made it possible with the Logan, built in Romania by Dacia, in a first time.
Initially designed for emergent markets only, this 3-box sedan eventually arrives in Western Europe : Renault had not expected the public to be so interested in such a basic car.
Don’t expect to find any trace of luxury in the cockpit. There is no power windows, no glove box, the door panels are made of a single plastic piece, the seats roughly trimmed, and the carpet is ultra thin. All this may look cheap, it remains solidly assembled. Besides, the accomodation is better than a Megane's!
Technically speaking, the Logan is not an antique. It uses the same platform as the future Clio, and in western Europe, the front suspension will receive an anti-roll bar.
On the road, you are amazed at how comfortable the suspension is, but it’s impossible to forget the engine noise. Even if the steering is heavy, the car remains easy to drive, its road holding being very safe.
The 75bhp 1.4 engine provides decent acceleration, but nothing more.
Deprived of a power steering, but fitted with ABS brakes and 2 airbags, the entry level Logan should be available for £5,500 in 2007. Even if the fleet-market will find this offer astonishing, don’t forget that for the same price, any second-hand Golf, Megane or Corolla offers a better value for money along with a higher safety level. The Logan was credited 3 stars only by the EuroNcap.
See also : Renault
