Renault likely to revive classic 4 and 5 nameplates for new EVs

The French firm is set to unveil a bold revival plan - which could include the return of some classic nameplates

Renault will reinvent a number of its classic models as electric cars as part of a bold turnaround plan set to be unveiled by new boss Luca de Meo, according to reports.

Former Seat boss de Meo was given the top job at the French giant last year. He has been working on a new business plan to boost sales and reposition the firm, which began last September with the unveiling of a major internal restructure. De Meo is now set to unveil the next phase in his plan on Thursday January 14, in an event billed as a 'Renaulution'.

Reuters, citing two sources, states that de Meo’s plan will focus on future product ranges, and will include the revival of at least two classic nameplates to strengthen the focus on Renault’s French heritage.

They will include an electric reinvention of the 4L, based on the city car originally launched in the 1960s as a rival to the Mini and Fiat 500. An electric version of the Renault 5, originally offered in two generations from 1972 until it was replaced by the Clio in 1996, is also reportedly set to be revealed.

No more details of the models have been given, but they could potentially share a platform with the existing Zoe electric hatch or use the new Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance CMF-EV electric platform, which Renault will first use for the forthcoming production version of the Megane eVision.

The Megane eVision is a crossover that uses the long-running nameplate of the firm’s family hatch, and also features a retro-infused design with numerous nods to Renault’s past. As with the Megane, reviving classic model names such as the 4 and 5 would be a way for Renault to pitch early electric models to a more style-focused audience, in a similar way to how Fiat has positioned its new electric 500.

Reuters also claims that Renault will reveal three electric models for its Alpine sub-brand. As previously reported by Autocar, Renault bosses have been considering turning Alpine into an electric-only performance brand, with a reshuffle last year securing the firm's long-term future.

Do Meo’s plan is also set to include culling several long-running models that have waned in popularity in recent years, including the Espace MPV.

.

.

.

Original article from https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/

Renault Clio For Sale Reviewed By Owners

Great little car overall

I bought the 2007 Clio Mk 3 as my first car and I'm amazed at how versatile it is. From a 10-year-old, small engine hatchback I was expecting it to be way out of its comfort zone on country roads and long motorway journeys. However, great country driving in this and went from Sheffield to the deep South on less than half a tank without​ so much as a threat of breaking down. My only issues with the car are its reliability (mostly electrical faults) and the overall performance - punchy for a 1.2 but I could do with some more power now. There's also a lot of body roll on roundabouts and the windscreen pillar is always in the way going round one (might just be my driving position). The car has a big heart and I'm looking at buying the 1.6 GT Clio to succeed this one.



does the job

I chose the Renault Clio for sale as I wanted to downsize for the economy and reduce clutter I left in the car. I had a scenic before and the Garage treated me well. Clio has not let me down.



Great car

Apart from a faulty battery (replaced under the warranty), my Renault Clio is very reliable. I particularly like the touch screen which automatically connects to the music on my phone. The only criticism I have is that there is no spare wheel/tyre and in each of the three cases that I have been unfortunate enough to have had a puncture, the compressed repair kit would not have sufficed - resulting in a callout to the AA each time.



Tardis-like space

A good runner that is close (within 5mpg) to the listed mpg, which quite surprised me. A very spacious boot and cabin that actually looks smaller than it is when you sit inside. I find it very good on long journeys and do not find it tiring at all. The only downside is that when anything goes wrong it is very expensive to repair if using Renault parts. Unfortunately, as it is a sports tourer version finding spares is not easy as it is a very low seller here and not very well known. The tyre range is also very limited, just two makers, neither are cheap.



Clio with a turbo is very thirsty

The model Clio that I own has the turbo engine, and while it is reasonably economic for town driving the MPG drop considerably for motorway driving. It has part-leather seats and a leather-covered steering wheel, as well as wide alloy wheels. All making it a more pleasant drive than standard models.



Reliable car

Apart from having to buy new tyres and a recent fuel leak, I've had very little expense with this car. It is comfortable, fairly economical and has no advanced electronics so it can be repaired at any garage. I always buy second hand Renault cars and would have no hesitation in recommending the Clio.

Brilliant car

Had my Clio for 8 years no problems at all and after 8 years needed new battery today. This car is excellent for short or long journeys comfortable and reliable.

Good Car

Has been a really reliable and economical car and I have been very happy driving it. Would certainly buy another.


Renault Clio 05

I have had my Clio from new and other than a flat battery in a sudden cold spell it's never let me down. Really comfortable to drive not tinny like some of the small cars around. Fairly spacious interior for a car of that size. This my 2nd Clio and both have been reliable and comfortable cars.

Reviews sourced from: https://www.theaa.com/

Renault Duster TechRoad Discussed

Renault SA unveiled its new Duster TechRoad 4x2: a flagship model that packs a host of unique styling features.

The exterior benefits from 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, gloss black door mirrors and bespoke badging. Complemented by silver roof rails, a chrome-licked radiator grille and over-sized front and rear skid-plates, it's fair to say that the 2020 Duster TechRoad is a rather handsome piece of kit. Renault is also offering customers the chance to spec it in a brand new shade of paint called “Iron Blue”.

Climb inside the Renault Duster and you will notice that the cabin benefits from stylish blue accents on the seat upholstery and on the dashboard. Fitted as standard in the Duster TechRoad is a Renault Media Nav Evolution infotainment system that's controlled via a large seven-inch touchscreen. Supporting both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, it also offers full Bluetooth connectivity, integrated satellite navigation plus a handy reversing camera. Other niceties include cruise control, automatic climate control and rear parking sensors.

Engine-wise the new Duster TechRoad is available exclusively with Renault's excellent 1.5 dCi diesel engine in two states of tune. The 4x2 five-speed manual version delivers 66kW and 210Nm while the 4x2 six-speed EDC automatic ups this to 80kW and 250Nm.

In terms of pricing, you can expect to pay R324,900 for the Duster 1.5 dCi TechRoad 4x2 and R361,900 for the 1.5 dCi TechRoad EDC 4x2. Both come with Renault's five-year/150,000km warranty and three-year/45,000km service plan as standard.

.

.

.

Article sourced from: https://www.timeslive.co.za/

Renault Captur Car Review

The Captur kick-started Renault’s range of popular SUVs and crossovers in 2013, and it has lived up to its name and gone on to capture a sizeable chunk of the market. It’s also Renault’s most popular car in the UK, outselling the Clio and the Megane. 

In 2016 it was the best-selling model in its segment in Europe, so you could forgive the French company for not wanting to throw the baby out with the bathwater with the mid-life refresh. The styling tweaks bring the Renault Captur into line with the rest of its SUV range, thanks to sharper-looking lights and more rugged bumpers with faux-metal skid plates front and rear.

Minor updates they may be, but finally, they give the Captur its own SUV-like personality, rather than looking like a taller, bloated Clio. Among the changes is a new front grille that wears some extra chrome to direct your gaze toward the oversize Renault badge at its centre. Complementing that, the lower corners of the front bumper get new C-shaped LED daytime running lights across the line-up, while higher-grade models also benefit from full-LED headlights.

Punters clearly like the level of personalisation available for the Captur, such as its two-tone colour scheme, so Renault has added more options. There are three new body colours, plus the option of a silver roof, bringing the total number of potential combinations to 36. Eat your heart out, Mini.

Dimensionally, the Captur is unchanged, and barely bigger than a Clio with its 4,122mm length and 1,778mm width, ensuring that it retains its manoeuvrable size with acceptable interior space for the segment. Inside, the main change to the cabin is a smattering of new materials, giving the Captur a more modern appearance. It’s still far from plush, though.

Buyers can choose from two petrol and two diesel engines, with either automatic or manual transmissions. All models in the Captur range are front-wheel drive, despite the more rugged looks.

The 0.9-litre TCe petrol engine, which is steadily becoming the most popular choice, makes for a sensible buy if you’re only doing the school run or driving around town. Despite its small size, this three-cylinder, 89bhp engine is smooth and feels faster than the 13.2-second 0-62mph time suggests it will.

If you disagree, or you carry a couple of people around regularly, you can upgrade to the 118bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine, which is available with either manual or automatic gearboxes. Officially, the transmission makes no difference to fuel economy, but the manual is just under a second faster to 62mph at 9.9 seconds. If you’d rather have a diesel, there is the familiar 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder option, offered in 89bhp and 108bhp guises.

While the Captur has stayed competitive up until its facelift, it’s about to fight a war on several fronts. New small crossovers from Hyundai, Seat, Citroen and Kia are all imminent in 2017. They all promise lots of spec and personalisation options, frugal engines and similar prices. The Captur’s good, but not exceptional, and may soon struggle to stand out against a European and Korean onslaught…

Despite increased competition, Renault was confident enough in the Captur’s abilities not to bother changing any of the mechanical underpinnings. Brave? Perhaps, but, first up, buyers in this sector don’t demand scalpel-sharp reflexes married to magic carpet ride comfort, and secondly, the Captur was already one of the best-judged.

Its extra height over a Renault Clio means longer springs and a little more cushioning. It’s quite a smooth car, especially over urban bumps, which it soaks up with ease. Even when you hit rougher surfaces, road noise is kept at bay well.

The more powerful diesel engine produces a useful 192lb ft of torque, which leaves you with plenty in reserve for overtaking or joining fast-moving motorway traffic off a slip road, but it does lose some of its appeal in slower-moving traffic. Constant gear changes aren’t helped by the new armrest design that can get in the way, particularly if you sit a little further back from the wheel. 

It’s in situations like this that the quieter, more refined petrol engine shines. The more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder 1.2-litre unit is one of the sweeter engines in the small crossover segment right now. With 151lb ft (produced at a usefully low 2,000rpm), it has just the right amount of torque to pull the Captur along without the need for many revs. 

No matter which engine you choose, it’s comfortable enough and the engines are above average, but the Captur lacks anything that might help it stand out in driving terms. It’s more sensible trousers than driving shoes.

As with the mildly tweaked exterior, you’ll have to take a second glance (and know the pre-facelift Captur pretty well) to spot the changes that Renault has made to the interior. A lack of mechanical revisions has, however, allowed Renault to spend most of the update budget on improving the feel and quality of the cabin, something it needed, in truth. Both the door cards and upper sections of the dashboard are now finished in a soft-touch plastic, while the new steering wheel, borrowed from the Clio, has a much nicer feel to it, even if it retains a familiar button layout. 

One area where the Captur has always scored well is storage. The boot has a 455-litre capacity, which is more than rivals like the Nissan Juke, Peugeot 2008 and Vauxhall Mokka X. It also has a useful double floor that lets you lower the load height or keep a separate storage area beneath the floor. Folding the rear seats down increases cargo volume to 1,255 litres.

A new storage compartment in the top of the dashboard is now easier to reach and it’s big enough to swallow up your phone, keys and wallet, or purse. 

The centre console remains a simple affair, and if you choose any model from Dynamique Nav grade upwards, you get a seven-inch colour touchscreen system with satellite navigation. It’s not a great system, with bizarrely small ‘buttons’ hidden in the corners of the screen and infuritating bings and bongs that can only be turned off by delving deep into sub-sub-sub menus. 

All of the climate controls are slightly cheap-feeling knobs and buttons, but at least it’s easy to adjust without taking your eyes off the road. 

Both Signature X Nav and Signature S Nav get a more advanced R-LINK media and nav system and Renault has added Android Auto to this as well, bringing smartphone mirroring to more people, but there’s still no sign of Apple CarPlay.

In the rear, there is a generous amount of legroom for the sector, and you get the ability to slide the rear seat bench forward or back depending on how much passenger or boot space you require. The Captur’s high roof means headroom isn’t an issue, even for taller passengers.

Article source: https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/renault/captur

Renault Clio Is Worth a Look

It might look a lot like its predecessor, but don't be fooled - under the skin, Renault's latest Clio is a big leap forward.

RENAULT wheeled out an all-new Clio towards the end of last year but you could be forgiven for not noticing.

That's because at first glance, this latest Clio - the fifth generation to bear the nameplate in 30 years, in which time it has become the best-selling French car ever - looks a lot like the one it replaced.

Now, that's not necessarily a bad thing. The Renault Clio has always been one of the nicer looking small cars and the last version still looked fresh when it went off-sale last year.

Renault may have been further persuaded to stick with the same-again styling because customers clearly loved the outgoing car, evidenced by the fact they bought them in droves.

As Volkswagen has shown through eight carefully curated generations of the Golf, gentle evolution can be an advantage in the mainstream family car market.

Strong initial sales for the new Clio would appear to have vindicated Renault's decision.

The Clio is Europe's reigning most popular small car, and in February it was the biggest seller of them all, dethroning the Golf from its traditional number one position.

There are caveats - there were fewer than 200 registrations in it, and the Golf was in between its Mk 7 and Mk 8 iterations at the time. Coronavirus was also beginning to take its first bites at supply chains.

It is perhaps too much to expect the Clio to remain at number one when - if - Europe's new car market regains some semblance of post-Covid-19 equilibrium.

In any case, the Golf isn't the Clio's real rival. For that, you have to look at cars like the Ford Fiesta - decisively the most popular small car in Northern Ireland - as well as the new Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Polo, Mazda 2 and Seat Ibiza.

But the Clio's most natural opponent is the Peugeot 208. There's a new one of those too, and my original masterplan was to drive them back-to-back to get a feel for which French organisation's take on the small hatchback best suited our roads.

As with so many other plans, coronavirus got in the way of that. I had already enjoyed a week with the Clio when the 208 arrived on my driveway, its timing perfectly coinciding with lockdown. In the end, the Peugeot didn't turn a wheel for two weeks and I didn't even start the engine.

That means a proper comparison will have to wait. What can be said, though, is that where the Clio's styling looks like it has been with us for a while, the 208 is a more modern design.

All is not lost for the Clio, though. For underneath the skin is a car that feels at least one generation ahead of its predecessor.

The sparkling interior alone would be a leap forward, but the Clio's sense of refinement - at least in the engine and transmission I tried - is also deeply impressive.

It's built on the same platform as the new Nissan Juke; the two companies operate an alliance, sharing engines and various other oily parts, and this also means the Clio can be had with all the latest safety kit and driver assistance aids.

Another advantage of using a bang up-to-date platform is space efficiency.

Despite appearances, the new Clio is actually a little smaller on the outside than its predecessor - the wheelbase is shorter and the roofline is 43mm lower, for example - but it is more spacious for passengers and their luggage (the boot's seats-up volume is a very generous 391 litres).

And model for model, it is around 50kg lighter, which always helps with efficiency.

The gadget count is assuredly 2020 as well - try Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, digital dashboard, 4G connectivity, LED headlamps and ambient lighting - and the safety aids include an optional 'EasyDrive' system which looks after steering, acceleration and braking in certain conditions.

Lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, cruise control and automatic emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection are on board, and the Clio was one of the safest cars of any size tested by Euro NCAP last year.

If you want a Clio diesel, for now a 1.5-litre 'Blue dCi 85' engine with 84bhp and 162lb.ft is your only choice. Treat it right, and you should be able to get nearly 80mpg... A 'Blue dCi 115' with 113bhp and 192lb.ft is expected later.

The petrols use a five-speed manual gearbox apart from the 128bhp car, which comes only with a seven-speed double-clutch gearbox. If you must, you can also have the TCe 100 car with a CVT transmission. The diesel has a six-speed manual.

Unlike rivals such as the closely-related Peugeot 208 and Vauxhall Corsa, the Clio won't be offered with a battery-electric drivetrain.

Renault is content that the big-selling Zoe can cater for customers who want a small EV.

There will, however, be a hybrid Clio, badged E-Tech. It uses a 1.6-litre petrol engine, two electric motors and a 1.2kWh battery, all linked together with a clever 'multi-mode' gearbox.

Renault reckons that so equipped, the Clio can tootle around town in EV mode "for around 80 per cent of the time".

It won't be offered as a plug-in hybrid, though - that distinction is reserved for the Captur, the Clio's chunky mini-SUV sidekick.

The interior quality is in a different league to the previous Clio. A large infotainment screen, portrait-orientated as is Renault's style, catches the eye, but everything you touch and operate regularly feels slick and operates with precision.

These aren't things that one has always been able to say about a Renault. Its five-year/100,000-mile warranty is also noteworthy.

It looks great, too, and the overall ambience is that of a larger, plush car.

The driving experience is similarly mature, with comfort and refinement clearly prioritised. It's remarkably quiet on a motorway journey, for example, with wind and tyre noise well suppressed.

If you prefer your small hatchback to be more overtly fun to drive, then a Ford Fiesta or Mazda 2 will be a better bet.

But I reckon the majority of people will be just fine with the Clio's grown-up feel. It means the Clio is closer in character to the Volkswagen Polo than the Fiesta.

The Renault's upmarket interior also helps make Polo comparisons inevitable, though the Clio's cabin has far more flair. It's a more interesting car from the outside, too.

Taken together, the Clio manages to be both reassuringly familiar and decisively better.

The Clio has to be an essential fixture on the checklist of anyone in the market for a small hatchback, for it is right at the top of a class occupied by a bunch of talented contenders.

Article source: https://www.irishnews.com/lifestyle/motorsdrive/2020/06/17/news/renault-clio-worth-a-second-look-1936277/

Facts About The Renault Kwid

Renault launched a facelift for its entry-segment crossover Kwid in 2019. Looking to buy one and want to know more about it?

The Renault Kwid was originally launched back in 2015, and Renault continued to sell the entry-segment car with no major updates since then. However, the French carmaker has spiced things up a little in the segment with the recently launched Kwid facelift. Here are the 5 things that will probably answer all your questions about the 2019 Renault Kwid facelift – 1. Dimensions In terms of size, the Kwid measures 3,731 mm in length, 1,579 mm in width, and stands 1,474 mm tall. It has a 2,422 mm wheelbase, and a 184 mm ground clearance, which means you can ease your mind even on bad roads.

Exterior and Interior Styling Design-wise, the Kwid does not feel like an entry-segment car at all. The car poses like an SUV, and has a high bonnet to give it a beefy appearance. Externally, the Kwid gets a split headlamp design with LED DRLs at the front, plastic body cladding on the sides along with roof rails, and a faux skid plate at the rear, along with LED tail lamps. The car also

Inside the cabin, the Kwid features a dual-tone scheme. The dash features the car’s lettering, while the gear selector sits right in between the front seats. A touchscreen infotainment unit is also seen, which is borrowed from its sibling, the Triber. 3. Drivetrains Renault has equipped the Kwid with two BS4-compliant three-cylinder petrol engines, which are a 0.8-litre unit, and a bigger 1.0-litre unit. The former makes 54 PS of max torque, and 72 Nm of max torque, whereas the latter puts out 68 PS/91 Nm. The car is offered with a 5-speed manual transmission as standard, and an optional AMT.

A test-mule of what could possibly be the BS6-compliant version of the Renault Kwid was also spied recently with camouflage, which indicates that the French carmaker could introduce it in the market soon. 4. Features and Safety The 2019 Kwid gets an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system integrated with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In addition to that, it gets a rear armrest, a reverse parking camera with guidelines, remote keyless entry and an LED Digital MID.

On the safety front, Renault has equipped the car with reverse parking sensors, driver and passenger airbags, ABS with EBD, high-speed alert system and front seatbelt reminders. 

.

.

.

.

.

.

Article source: https://gaadiwaadi.com/5-things-to-know-about-the-new-renault-kwid-facelift/

More About The Renault Kwid Outsider

In a bid to spruce up the Renault Kwid’s appeal in the Brazilian market, the automaker introduced a cosmetically enhanced variant called the Kwid Outsider at the Sao Paulo Motor Show a few years ago. The Renault Kwid Outsider is to Brazil what the Kwid Climber is to South Africa – an accessorized variant. The Kwid Outsider is equipped with the usual suspects such as roof rails, big rub strips on the side, silver inserts on the bumpers, black plastic wheel arch cladding, and black finished wing mirrors. Of course, the car sports ‘Outsider’ decals on the front doors, just below the ORVMs. The South Africa-spec Kwid Climber received the same set of exterior accessories.

The interior too is similar to that of the Kwid Climber. The black cabin is full of contrast orange accents. Steering wheel, centre console, AC vents, gear knob, door pads and upholstery feature orange highlights. In terms of equipment, the Renault Kwid Outsider show car is based on the top-end trim. The rest of the car continues unchanged. The Brazil-spec Renault Kwid is powered by a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder flex-fuel engine which produces 70 PS and 96 Nm of torque while running on ethanol and 66 PS and 92.1 Nm of torque while on petrol. The claimed fuel economies stand at 10.5 kmpl (ethanol) and 15.2 kmpl (petrol). The motor is paired to a standard 5-speed manual transmission. The South Africa-spec Kwid 1.0 petrol variant offers 68 PS and 91 Nm in comparison.

The Renault Kwid Outsider is positioned as the top-end variant in Brazil, commanding a slight premium over the existing variant. Renault Kwid price is one of the most affordable in the Brazilian and South African market.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Article from https://www.rushlane.com/renault-kwid-outsider-brazil-debut-12287226.html