WORLD LATEST CAR MODELS: Renault

Showing posts with label Renault. Show all posts

2012 Renault Twingo RS 133

Following the arrival of the regular 2012 Twingo series in the UK earlier this year, Renault is now expanding the range with the addition of the Renaultsport (RS) 133 version that will be available for order next week on April 2, with first deliveries programmed for April 23.

Renault’s hot hatch is priced at £13,565 on-the-road with the some of the available options including 17-inch Anthracite or Gloss Black alloy wheels for £500, Cup chassis for £700, RS Liquid Yellow i.d. paint for £1,300 (from end May 2012) and the Anthracite Style package for the front blade, door mirrors covers and rear spoiler, priced at £150.

The 2012 model is identified by the redesigned front and rear ends, and some minor tweaks inside.

The RS model sports numerous model-specific additions such as a black rear spoiler, a rear bumper incorporating a diffuser and extensions on the rear wheel arches.

Inside, the sportiest model in the Twingo range gets yellow stitching on the steering wheel and sport seats, together with white detailing for the top of the steering wheel, seat backs and cushions, rev-counter surround and air conditioning controls.

Along with the new body-colour F1-style blade, standard features on the revised Twingo RS 133 include 16-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth, cruise control, electric Gloss Black door mirrors, ESC (with on/off switch), speed limiter, and tinted windows.

The 2012 model continues to use a 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated powerplant delivering 133hp at 6,750rpm and 160Nm (118 lb-ft) at 4,400rpm for a top speed of 125 mph (201km/h) and a 0-62 mph (100km/h) sprint in 8.7 seconds.

However, Renault claims that CO2 emissions have been reduced by 3.2 percent to 150g/km and fuel consumption by three percent to 43.5 mpg UK (6.5lt/100km) on the combined cycle.

Renault Clio RS

Let’s get one thing straight: we love how the Clio RS 200 looks, but the bumper and F1-style wing should be black, while the body looks best in blue or red (never green!). However, Renault just couldn’t help itself but to create a special edition model dedicated to last year’s Red Bull Racing victory in Formula 1.

With the 2012 F1 season just around the corner, it’s the perfect time for Renault to launch this car, and it’s also the perfect time for us to say we don’t love it. However, the Clio RS is probably the most deserving car to get an F1 badge on it.

Still, there are things to like about this versions called the Clio RS Red Bull Racing RB7, since it comes with sporty 18-inh wheels wrapped in Bridgestone RE050A tyres. The Profond Black body is interesting, but we would have preferred Lotus gold instead of the Sirius Yellow on the blade and mirrors. Also, the rear diffusor should not be painted… any color… on any car!
Another thing we don’t like is the price tag: €27,900 in France, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium and Austria. We’re sorry but that’s way overpriced for a car with only 200 hp!

Renault Scenic

Europe’s best-selling compact minivan, the Renault Scenic and its bigger, seven-seat Grand Scenic sibling, have received a minor facelift for the 2012 model year.

Both models sport a new front end with LED daytime running lights and gloss black features, chrome details up front, on the profile and the tailgate strip, redesigned rear lights on the five-seat Scenic and a different lower air intake design and longitudinal roof bars for the Grand Scenic.

Under the hood, two new diesel “Energy” units have been added to the engine line-up. The first is the dCi 110 which is 12 percent more fuel efficient than the previous unit returning a combined figure of 4.1 lt/100 km (57.3 mpg US)with CO2 emissions of 105 g/km.

The new dCi 130’s 4.4 lt/100 km (53.4 mpg US) consumption marks an even more impressive 20% reduction compared to the outgoing 1.9 dCi 130. Its CO2 emissions are 114 g/km.

Next spring, a brand-new turbocharged petrol engine, the TCe 115, will be added to the Scenic/Grand Scenic range. According to Renault, this engine consumes 20% less fuel than the current 110HP 1.6-liter unit it will replace.

The interior has also received minor modifications, including a different beige trim for the Expression and Privilege/Initiale versions and a dark charcoal trim for the Privilege Initiale.

There is also new upholstery and an optional leather/Alcantara package, while the higher-end Bose Edition that was launched in limited numbers in the 2011 model year now becomes a regular equipment level on the 2012 MY Scenic.

The updated versions of Renault’s compact MPV are the first models of the French carmaker to feature the Visio System. It uses a camera to control a lane departure warning system and an automatic headlight function that detects lights of nearby functions and adjusts the lights’ beam accordingly.

Ordering books for the 2012MY Scenic and Grand Scenic opened today, with prices starting from €21,350 for the Scenic and €24,850 Grand Scenic. Renault’s updated minivans will initially be available in Europe from January 2012 followed by other markets shortly after.

2012 Renault Megane Facelift

Renault has given the Megane family a facelift for 2012, with the revamp touching the exterior, the interior, as well as the tech side of the compact. We’ll start our story under the hood, where the Megane gains three new engines. It all starts with an Energy dCi diesel that delivers 110 hp and a peak torque of 260 NM (192 lb-ft), returning a fuel efficiency of 3.8 liters per 100 km (74.3 UK mpg), while emitting 95 grams of CO2 per km.

Next, we have a 1.6-liter Energy dCi that produces 130 hp and 320 Nm, returning 4.0 liters per 100 km (53.2 UK mpg) and emits 104 g/km. We also receive a new petrol unit: a turbocharged 1.2-liter unit that delivers 115 hp and a peak torque of 190 Nm (140 lb-ft) and returns 5.3 liters per 100 km (53.2 UK mpg), with emissions of 119g/km.

At the top of the range, the Megane RS now offers an extra 15 hp and 20 Nm (15 lb-ft) in the Sport mode. – We’re really looking forward to finding out the new performance/laptimes figures for the RS.

The entire Megane range has received a revised front fascia, which comes with daytime running lights, as well as new wheel designs, while the list of features now includes a superior audio system. As for the list of optional extras, this comes with goodies such as a leather/Alcantara finish for the seats and a a lande departure warning system.