Renault and Opel/Vauxhall Preview their Upcoming Trafic and Vivaro Vans

As you may probably know, the current Renault Trafic, Opel / Vauxhall Vivaro and Nissan Primastar vans, are built since 2001 as part of a collaboration between Opel/Vauxhall and Renault-Nissan. The partnership looks set to continue for the next-generation models as well, with bothRenault and Opel/Vauxhall releasing teaser sketches of their third-generation vans.The carmakers promise new design, new engines and new technologies inside and out when the new models launch this summer. Renault says the new engines “benefit from Renault’s expertise in the world of Formula 1 racing.” We’re very curious to see what that is all about.
As for the van’s looks, here’s what Kihyun Jung, the designer of the Renault Trafic, has to say: “Its lines embody Renault’s new brand identity. My aim was to achieve a dynamic, assertive stance without sacrificing either the robustness or user-friendliness customers expect of their van.”
As for the Opel/Vauxhall version, it also gets a more modern look featuring a prominent front grille and wing-shaped graphics, also integrating the design language of Opel/Vauxhall passenger cars.
Further information on the new vans will follow soon.
If you allow me a personal opinion, I think the Renault Trafic looks better than the Vivaro – at least in these sketches. Feel free to disagree though.

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Renault Latitude Facelift Breaks Cover ahead of Frankfurt Debut, May Gain 180HP 1.6 TCe Engine

The Renault Latitude, the European alter ego of the Korean Samsung SM5, will get its first facelift this autumn. Some may say that it’s too soon, given that the car debuted only three years ago at the Moscow motor show.

However, to remain relevant in a market dominated by German rivals, Renault needs all the help it can get for its flagship sedan. This is why the Latitude has been cosmetically revised, almost a year after the SM5 received an update.

The first official photos, which have already leaked on the Internet, allow us to see the reworked face of the Latitude sedan, which gains larger headlights with integrated LED daytime-running lights, a more upright grille with chrome accents and a revised bumper.

At the rear, changes are minimal, with the taillights gaining a new design with LEDs while retaining their previous shape. No other changes can be detected, at least not by the human eye, except for new accessories such as the wheels. No photos of the interior have surfaced so far, but no major changes are expected there, with only new equipment and trims to freshen up the atmosphere.

The Latitude will remain the same under the skin, offering only diesel engines in Europe – a 2.0-liter dCi with 150 hp or 175 hp and a 3.0-liter dCi V6 with 240 hp. However, rumor has it that Renault may also add a new engine to the lineup - a 180hp 1.6-liter TCe turbocharged gasoline unit that’s available for the facelifted Samsung SM5 in South Korea. On the Samsung, the engine is mated to a dual-clutch EDC transmission.

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Renault Launches New 220HP Clio Cup Race Car

Renaultsport has revealed the all-new Clio Cup race car which replaces the previous model in use since 2006. Based on the latest gen Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo EDC, the Clio Cup comes with a welded roll cage, a strong monocoque chassis and an aerodynamic package that helps it handle better at high speeds.

For instance, the new rear spoiler generates nearly 40 kg (88 lbs) at 120 mph (193 km/h), while the roof scoop helps improve ventilation in the driver compartment. For the first time in Clio Cup’s history, the rollcage is welded not bolted, with Renaultsport saying this provides additional strength and, consequently, better handling on corners.

The new Clio Cup is powered by a 1.6-liter direct-injected turbo engine tuned by Oreca Magny-Cours that produces 220 hp and a constant torque of 270 Nm (199 lb-ft). The unit is mated to a Sadev six-speed sequential transmission that shifts gears in just 100 milliseconds. Renaultsport offers steering-wheel paddle shifters as an option, along with the classic gearstick.

The car features adjustable shock absorbers and adjustable axles, allowing teams to set up the car according to different track conditions and driving styles. Braking power is assured by AP Racing 320mm ventilated discs fitted with 4-piston Brembo callipers at the front and 260mm solid discs at the rear.

On the inside, the Clio Cup features a dashboard designed by Cosworth Electronics, with a color display screen showing all the diagnostics in real time as well as essential data for the driver, such as fastest lap, gap, track layout and others. There’s also a multi-functional steering wheel with seven buttons that operate a wide variety of functions, including headlights, windscreen wipers and the display screen scroll.

The new Clio Cup is built at the Renault's Alpine factory in Dieppe and is delivered ready to race.

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New Renault Megane RS Red Bull RB8 Edition Won't Give You Any Wings, UK Price Set £28,245

Only 30 examples of the new Renault Megange RenaultSport (RS) Red Bull Racing RB8 edition(that's what we call a trainload of names) will be offered to UK buyers at £28,245 a pop, or £1,500 more than the regular Megane RS Coupe upon which it is based.

On sale now, the Red Bull edition of the French hot hatch is available in an exclusive to this model Twilight Blue finish with Platinum detailing, reminiscent of Red Bull's F1 race cars.

Additional equipment over the stock Megane RS includes, Recaro front seats, R-Link Multimedia and TomTom Live navigation systems, Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyres from the 265 Trophy fitted to exclusive 19-inch gloss black ‘Steev’ alloy wheels with platinum coloured rims, and the latest on-board Renaultsport Monitor v2.0.

Under the hood, the 265-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four paired to a six-speed manual and a limited slip differential remain unchanged.

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Renault Drops the Rear Seat from the Twizy and Turns It into the Twizy Cargo Pocket Van

Renault has unveiled the Twizy Cargo, a new version of the small battery-powered model designed for carrying goods – or at least in theory. Don’t think of it as an alternative to the Kangoo, as the boot can only accommodate 180 liters (6.35 cubic feet) of luggage weighing a maximum of 75 kilograms (165.3 lbs). This has been done at the expense of the single rear seat, which has disappeared to create some cargo space.

Built by Renault Tech in cooperation with Renault Sport Technologies, the Twizy Cargo has a watertight boot that is accessible via a rear lockable door that opens to 90 degrees. The conversion leaves the front seat still moveable, while the rear door features a locking system that works with the ignition key.

Renault says the Twizy Cargo is aimed primarily at delivery or express companies, such as lift operators, postal services and emergency services. At least in France, companies can claim back VAT on the purchasing price and battery rental, since Twizy Cargo is a vehicle converted by Renault.

The Twizy Cargo features a 4-point seatbelt and airbag and buyers gain the same warranty coverage as for other Twizy versions, more specifically two years unlimited mileage for the car, three years for the powertrain.

The small electric model is available in two versions, the Twizy Cargo 45 which has a top speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), 120 km (75 mi) of urban driving range and 5 horsepower, and the Twizy Cargo, which can reach 80 km/h (50 mph) thanks to its 17-hp motor and has a homologated urban range of 100 km (62 mi). In France, the Twizy Cargo 45 is priced from €6,750 ($8,850), while the more powerful version starts from €7,350 ($9,630). Both prices do not include tax / VAT.

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Renault Subtly Updates the Koleos, Gains New Grille and Multimedia System

Renault has released a mildly revised Renault Koleos at the International Buenos Aires Motor Show in Argentina. Renault says its crossover model now features the brand’s latest identity, but the changes are rather small compared to the facelifted model launched in 2011.

The most obvious modification is the redesigned V-shaped grille that has also received a larger rhombus logo. The rest of the front end is virtually unchanged, as is the rear, with the Koleos only gaining redesigned two-tone wheels, a chrome finish for the side protective strips and a new body color called Ebony Brown.

On the inside, the Renault Koleos sports new trim and in the case of the display model, new available brown leather upholstery to match the Ebony Brown exterior finish. The SUV is also offered with new equipment including Renault’s R-Link multimedia system with a 7-inch touchscreen display and the Blind Spot Warning (BSW) system, which visually alerts the driver whenever a vehicle is detected in the blind spot.

Other available features are the reversing camera, hands-free card, Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control functions, plus a Bose audio system. As before, the Koleos can be ordered in front- or four-wheel drive flavors.

The engine lineup is also unchanged, with two diesel units and a petrol engine being available, depending on the market. The 2.0-liter dCi engine is available in two power versions (150 hp or 175 hp), while the 2.5-liter petrol engine comes with 170 horsepower.

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Renault Prices Clio GT-Line for the UK Market – Starts at £17,395

Renault is offering an interesting stepping-stone between their regular cars, and their special range of RS-badged models with their GT-Line variants. The fourth-generation Clio is the latest car to get the treatment, and it offers a lot for the UK market, which is packed with lovers of hot hatches.

However, some may prefer lower running, insurance and purchase costs, but still want a sportier than normal drive and unique styling, which is what the GT delivers.

Priced from £17,395 in the UK, the Clio GT-Line comes packing a 1.2-liter TCe 120 engine, with 118 hp and 140 lb-ft (190 Nm) of torque, all of which is sent to the road through its dual-clutch gearbox which it shares with the more powerful RS model. Still, it returns 54.3 mpg UK, which is better than the bigger brother’s 44.8 mpg UK claimed figure, so it should also be cheaper to tax (free in the first year, and £30 per year after that).

Sure its 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time of 9.9 seconds is nothing to write home about, but with the relatively high torque figure, paddle shifters and chassis which is 40 percent stiffer than the regular car’s, it should prove entertaining to drive. There’s even a button to choose one of two driving modes.

Styling has been tweaked too, and especially if the car is finished in the Malta Blue colourRenault advertises the car in, then I'd say it looks good, with its dual offset exhaust pipes completing the look nicely, along with the unique 17-inch alloys.

The car was also revealed as an estate, but the official press release doesn’t mention it – it may be made available at a later date with its afferent price hike.

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Renault Reveals Mégane RS Red Bull Racing RB8 Limited Edition Model

To celebrate their third Formula 1 Constructors’ world title, Renault and Red Bull Racing have released the new limited edition Mégane RS Red Bull Racing RB8. Painted in the exclusive Crépuscule Blue color used by the Red Bull F1 team, the limited edition Mégane RS sports Red Bull's colors for the second year in a row.

Besides the special color, the sports hatch also sports Red Bull graphics at the rear and on the sides, together with Platinum Grey details such as the F1 blade, door handle, door mirror housings and rear lip spoiler. Those who are very attentive to details will also notice a monochrome laurel on the rear side windows that celebrates the team’s 2012 Constructors’ world title.

On the inside, the Mégane RS Red Bull Racing RB8 comes with exclusive features such as Red Bull Racing branding on the numbered aluminum sill guards and carpet mats. The logo also appears on the headrests of the Recaro seats, which are trimmed in new leather/fabric upholstery.

The limited edition Mégane is shod as standard with high-performance Bridgestone tyres, of the same model used by the Mégane Trophy to establish a new lap record for the Nürburgring. They are fitted to exclusive 19-inch black wheels with grey pin striping.

As far as equipment is concerned, the Mégane RS Red Bull Racing RB8 is available with the in-dash, connected R-Link multimedia tablet that has six functions (navigation, telephony, multimedia, vehicle, systems and R-Link Store applications catalogue). There’s also the 2.0 version of the RS Monitor that brings special Red Bull Racing home page, a more user-friendly and intuitive interface and the fact that certain information can be displayed in 3D form.

Technically, the limited edition version is the same as the Mégane RS, featuring a Cup chassis, limited slip differential and 265-hp 2.0-liter engine. The Renault Mégane R.S. Red Bull Racing RB8 will be available in 26 countries until September 30, 2013. Prices in France start from €36,000 ($46,400). 

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