Yesterday’s news about the Renault-Nissan bid to acquire 20% of Chrysler got me thinking about Renault. French cars are fairly ridiculous, but I always kind of liked the Fuego. They were sold through AMC dealers in the US from 1982 to 1985, and one of my high school teachers bought one new. But you just don’t see them around much any more. Slobodan’s Fuego is the cleanest example I could find on CarDomain, but he lives in the Republic of Macedonia. Pretty sweet looking ride.

Or anyway, that’s what The Detroit News is reporting today. If the deal went through, Chrysler "would participate in the joint purchasing, vehicle platform development and other programs, slashing its costs. But it would have its own management and retain its brands." That sounds pretty good to me, but apparently, "Cerberus founder and CEO Stephen Feinberg favors a deal with GM, viewing it as the best solution for the embattled U.S. auto industry." Or maybe cause it would be the best solution for Cerberus?

Speaking of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, remember the Renault Alliance, built in Kenosha, Wisconsin by AMC during its partnership with Renault in the 80s? A friend of mine had one of those in high school, and managed to roll it while doing donuts on a muddy soccer field. I wonder how many of those are still on the road. I could only find one on CarDomain.

We’ve all heard about the Lamborghini cop cars in Italy. Well, it looks like the French police had some pretty sweet Alpines at one point. Just check out this beautiful A110. More over at Hemmings.

I think you might get kind of ill driving this thing, though. More on this eco-friendly electric car at Jalopnik.

Continue reading "Renault ZE Concept is the Greenest Car in Paris" »

I mean, like, wow. More on this mid-engine, Nissan-powered spec racer over at Jalopnik.

Continue reading "Renault Megane Trophy has the Biggest Rear Diffuser in Paris" »

Continue reading "Evil Twin" »

There is nothing JDM about this car by the classic definition of the term (products produced/for sale in Japan only). This car is all French. It’s an OEM limited-production model by Renault. Yet there is no denying the connection between this car and the tuning techniques often talked about on the blog and utilized by top tuning firms like Amuse, Top Secret and the like. One look at this car and you get the feeling of a quality tuned car deserving of the same instant respect that would be given to the latest creation from Japan’ s best. Continue reading…

Continue reading "Renault Brings JDM Essence to Megane R26.R" »

In a world where a used Geo Metro can fetch a higher price than it did new, there’s no telling how high the value of sketchy 80′s EV conversions will climb. These vintage economy rides, packed with trays of lead-acid batteries and fitted with traction motors, sell at several times the value of the cars they’re based on. There were a number of outfits that did these conversions, like the Texas-based "Jet Electrica" Ford Escorts and upstate New York’s Solargen, which produced AMC Concord EV’s. This is the first example I’ve seen of the "’Lectric Leopard," the vintage-EV market’s take on the humble Renault LeCar. I’d totally get one, if it wasn’t already into the thousands. Less than a day left on the auction—what do you think the ‘Lectric Leopard will sell for?

Ya’ll remember that song "Things that make you go hmm…" Well, this ’57 Renault on eBay is one of those things. My first question is why, as is my second, third and fourth. Now I am really into the oddball stuff, but this one is just a little too out there for me. Please understand that I am not criticizing this vehicle as much as I am pondering its existence. People build different things for different reasons, and most of the time they have a specific purpose. The Saturn 5 rocket for instance was built to propel a human from the Earth to the Moon. The elevator was designed to move people up and down so we wouldn’t have to take the stairs, but this thing, well, I’m not so sure. It just seems like a lot of wasted time and effort to me. Still, it’s kinda cool to look at. Three more pics after the jump.

Continue reading "1957 Franken-RenaSubie" »

Unveiled at Geneva this week, the Renault Megane is one of those concepts that makes us wish that the more whizz-bang features of show cars would make it into their respective production versions. I mean, just look at those double gull-wing doors! How much trouble could it possibly be to keep those? The Megane’s powerplant will be a turbocharged 2.0L gas engine, capable of both 200hp and 36 mpg. The concept will definitely be the inspiration for a car that’ll be in production, but don’t expect it to be nearly as cool-looking as this. Drat.

Check out more pics and the press release after the jump!

Source: CarScoop

PRESS RELEASE

MGANE COUP CONCEPT:

AN EXTREME EXPRESSION OF CHARACTER AND DYNAMISM

Renault has chosen the Geneva Motor Show to take the wraps off its Mgane Coup Concept show car which foreshadows a compact production coupe to be released at a later date. Like NewLaguna, it points to an evolution towards more fluid, sportier styling from Renault. Mgane CoupConcept targets drivers who are not only drawn by the notion of driving pleasure but who also seek to express their personality through their vehicle. Mgane Coup Concept symbolizes Renault’s vision of what a genuine compact sports coupe should deliver, namely character and dynamism, two traits epitomized by the show car’s unprecedented door-opening kinematics. Distinctive looks that exude personality and dynamism

Mgane Coup Concept provides a foretaste of the forthcoming Mgane Coupe. "This show car emphatically showcases the evolution at Renault Design. Its squatter proportions and powerful, energetic styling talk directly to the driver’s senses; they say ‘driving pleasure’. The spectacular, unprecedented door-opening kinematics add that little touch of magic which contributes to the dream factor associated with the automobile," explains Renault’s Patrick Le Qument, Senior Vice President, Corporate Design.

Of a total length of 4.51 metres, Mgane Coup Concept features a modern, dynamic silhouette with tautlines that seem to suggest perpetual movement, while its alert, expressive front-end looks point at once to a truly dynamic personality.

The juxtaposition of headlamp modules with aluminium-finish air-intakes also conveys an impression of fluidity and movement. The two rows of main and dipped beam lights sit on a crystal-like striated strip which fills the sidelight and daytime running light functions. The headlamps use high-performance light-emitting diodes which are both long-lasting and extremely efficient.

The foglamps also employ LED technology and blend harmoniously with the dynamic, front-end styling. The shoulder-lines flow along the curvaceous sides before culminating in a squat rear-end which expresses power and movement. The four independent tubes that make up the modern rear lights are housed in the bodywork and serve as a further illustration of the dynamic, technological spirit behind Mgane Coup Concept. Day or night, they form a highly distinctive signature. The boot, which pulls open and then lifts to minimize vertical travel, echoes the kinematics of the doors which are divided into two sections.

The panelled door itself is topped by a separate glazed area and, as they open, the two parts deploy gracefully and elegantly in an independent movement redolent of dragonfly wings. A carbon arm at the rear of the doors connects them to the body structure and the system ensures particularly easy access for passengers. In addition to its practical aspect, this technological feature reveals a cabin that blends effortlessly with the elegance and energy expressed by the exterior.

The cabin: a compelling extension of the exterior’s dynamic voluptuousness

The interior is redolent of the world of contemporary furniture. The independent, asymmetric front seats, which rise up from the sills, seem to float in midair. Their wafer-like forms express an airy lightness, while their enveloping design is a pledge of comfort and holds the occupants firmly in place. The aperture revealed by the open doors carries over to the front seat shells and the upper part of the two rear seats. This sculptural, one-piece structure, which is finished in fire red lacquer, ensures a seamless link between the exterior and the cabin.

The centre console extends through to the rear seats and its layered design recalls the striated bar of the headlamp modules. The futuristic, ethereal dashboard features expressive, flowing lines and can be divided into two distinct sections: the red lacquered main structure and black nubuck inserts which can hold small items.

This embedded zone houses the sophisticated instrumentation which takes its inspiration from aviator-style watches, including a speedometer which displays the speed in analogue form on the periphery and in digital form in the centre, plus an analogue rev-counter. Both feature black metallic backgrounds with white graphics and red backlighting.

The choice of colours and materials is another means by which the exterior and interior have been harmonized to highlight Mgane Coup Concept’s volumes and magic. The iridescent Dragon Grey body-colour goes well with the dragonfly-like door-opening mechanism and the paintwork’s rainbow finish gives a fresh vision of the car every time the light changes: even at a standstill, it appears to be in movement.

Meanwhile, the interior’s contrasting colour-scheme underpins the dynamic exterior thanks to the blend of fire red lacquer (dashboard, upper part of the centre console, front seatbacks, etc.) and softer black leather or nubuck for the door panels, seat cushions and centre console).

The door panels themselves incorporate supple, slide-locking stowage, while the floor is protected by a black, modern, graphic mesh. Carrying over the red of the interior, there are hints of red outside, too, including the roofline, foglamp surrounds, wheel spokes and exhaust tailpipes.

The cabin equipment is modern and intuitive

The different controls have been inspired by the Renault-pioneered Touch Design approach and are both simple and practical. The central multimedia control is coupled with a display divided into three zones. The central part displays all journey-related information (navigation, radio, music, video, Bluetooth telephone), while the screens either side show the images relayed by cameras incorporated in the exterior mirrors.

Mgane Coup Concept is locked and unlocked using a Samsung F700 mobile phone which serves as a hands-free card and connects to the centre console. Both rear passengers benefit from a portable Samsung P2 audio/video multimedia player with touch screen which they can use to swap files using the mp3/video Bluetooth controls.

The four-zone climate control system allows each passenger to select the temperature they prefer using controls housed either side of the dashboard in the case of the front passengers or on the front seatbacks for rear occupants

Special care has also gone into ensuring that the cabin is brightly lit. The red backlighting of the instruments contrasts with the surrounding black backgrounds. Meanwhile, the panoramic windscreen extends over the roof to provide additional clarity during the day and blue-hued cabin lighting at night.

A show car dedicated to passion and driving pleasure

Mgane Coup Concept’s generous bumper, wide, low grille and alveolar air-intake point to the presence of a high-performance powerplant under the bonnet. Indeed, Mgane Coup Concept is powered by a 200hp (147kW) 2.0 Turbo petrol engine which delivers torque of 280Nm at 2,600rpm and peak power of 200hp at 5,800rpm to ensure punch and flexibility at all engine speeds for everyday motoring pleasure.

Mated to a manual six-speed gearbox, the 2-litreturbocharged unit drives Mgane Coup Concept from a standstill to 100kph in just 7.2 seconds, yet it returns economical fuel consumption of just 6.5 litres/100km (154g of CO2/km).In order to exploit this engine to the full, Mgane Coup Concept features a sport chassis, plus suspension and steering engineered to guarantee precise, responsive handling.

This promise is compounded by the 21-inch aluminium alloy, seven-spoke, satin-finish Dragon Grey wheels equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres (245/35) which provide outstanding grip for even greater driving pleasure.

Mgane Coup Concept is a compact, stylish, dynamic coupe which delivers undeniable driving pleasure, while its sporty calling is also expressed by its modern, elegant cabin. This show car, which builds on the trend established by Laguna Coup Concept, sees Renault take its will to dial genuine passion into its cars yet another step forward.

Dimensions

Length (mm) 4,514

Width (mm) 1,908

Height (mm) 1,371

Height with doors open (mm) 2,085

Wheelbase (mm) 2,749

Front track (mm) 1,658

Rear track (mm) 1,648

Front overhang (mm) 950

Rear overhang (mm) 815

Unladen weight (kg) 1,310

Boot volume (litres) 290

Technical data

Engine 2.0 T petrol (200hp)

Power (hp) 200hp (147kW)

Maximum torque (Nm) 280Nm at 2,600rpm

Acceleration from standstill to 100kph (s) 7.2

Standard cycle CO2 emissions / fuel consumption 154g/km / 6.5 litres/100km

Gearbox Six-speed manual gearboxwith ‘stop and start’ system

Transmission Front-wheel drive

Tyres 245/35 ZR21Wheels 21-inch