Smarter look for Renault Duster

Second-generation Renault Duster SUV gains polish and sophistication but remains affordable

Renault’s Duster has become a success story because of its appealing mix of affordability and honest performance.

In a segment of ever more road-focused crossovers and SUVs, it has gained a reputation as one of the more dirt-capable family vehicles. The recently launched second-generation Duster has maintained the same formula and kept things affordable, but it’s been perked up with improved refinement, new styling and a fuller spec sheet.

The styling makeover involves a bolder new look that’s enhanced by front and rear skid plates, LED daytime running lights and a chrome grille, while the cross-style tail lights are somewhat plagiarised versions of the Jeep Renegades.


The range-topping Duster 4x2 model on test here, the 1.5dCi Prestige EDC auto, gets added visual jewellery in the form of black and satin chrome roof bars, where the other versions have black bars.

The Duster’s positioning as one of the more adventure-based vehicles in the compact SUV class has been underlined by its ground clearance being raised to a lofty 210mm, along with better approach and departure angles. The 4x4 version — to be launched here early next year — will also be equipped with hill descent control.

The interior has undergone a metamorphosis. Version one had a rather low-rent interior, which Renault has addressed with a classier new interior execution. At this price point, you’re still not getting a soft-touch dashboard, but the hard plastics look more premium with their new texturing.

Ergonomically, the Duster has taken a step forward by acquiring a steering column that can now adjust for both reach and rake, allowing for a more varied range of different-sized drivers to find a comfortable position behind the wheel.

For a compact SUV, it has decent cabin space for a quartet of adults, though taller folk sitting at the back will have their knees touching the front backrests. The boot is a practical 478l in size and the rear seats flip down to expand cargo room. Cabin oddments space is generous and includes a drawer under the front passenger seat.

Initially, the vehicle is available in a line-up of 4x2 petrol and diesel versions.



The diesel offering comprises a choice of the 1.5dCi Dynamique 4x2 five-speed manual with outputs of 66kW and 210Nm and the six-speed EDC automatic, which uses a more powerful version of the 1.5 engine that sends 80kW and 250Nm sent to the front wheels.

The automatic sells in Dynamique and more well-specced Prestige versions, but all Duster models come standard with a reasonably well-stocked spec sheet, including cruise control, aircon, ABS brakes, electronic stability control and dual front airbags.


It’s the automatic Prestige version on test here, which like the flagship of the range sells for R334,900 and comes with additional niceties like automatic climate control, side airbags and a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation. It also has driver aids, including blind spot detection and a reversing camera.

The engine outputs might seem humble but they translate into fairly easygoing performance. The Duster darts about the urban jungle with punchy acceleration once some initial turbo lag is shaken off, and it’s happy on the open road too.

Our test vehicle sipped a reasonably economical 6.2l/100km in a mixture of town and freeway driving, though the optimistic factory-claimed 4.8l seemed out of reach.

Renault has worked on improving the Duster’s refinement and this is evident in the vehicle’s soft-spoken nature; it hums along without the occupants needing to raise their voices too much.

What surprised me most was the neat handling abilities, more car-like and confidence-inspiring than I expected for a vehicle with such a high ground clearance. The electric power steering felt almost abnormally light, however, and some drivers might prefer to have more feel in the turning process. But the flipside is that it makes the Duster child’s play to manoeuvre in tight urban confines.

Renault’s suspension engineers have done a great job in terms of ride comfort, and the Duster very competently absorbs the bumps of rough gravel roads.

More sophisticated but still with its attractive price point, the new Duster should be a strong contender for SA’s 2019 car of the year title.

Standard features

Electronic stability programme, hill-start assist, ABS brakes, four airbags, electric windows, electric mirrors, climate control, central locking and starting with a hands-free card, blind spot warning, reversing camera, multiview camera, cruise control, touchscreen audio and navigation system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, tilt/ telescopic steering wheel adjustment



Article source: https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/life/motoring/2018-10-25-smarter-look-for-dirt-lover/

Here's all you need to know about Renault's next-gen Koleos now in SA

Renault has launched its all-new Koleos in South Africa. Here's all you need to know about the new SUV.

Renault SA said: "The new Renault Koleos is an embodiment of Renault’s new design language with distinctive styling. It belongs to Renault’s high-end line-up, visibly apparent in its stylish yet bold exterior lines."

Eye-catching detail

The dynamic stance of Koleos is further emphasised by its large alloy wheels and low roofline (1.68-metres). The assertiveness and personality of the car are accentuated by a number of innovative design features, claims the automaker.

The front and rear lights replicate the full LED lighting signature, that is now instantly distinguishable as part of the new Renault design language.

The C-shaped Daytime Running Lights extends beyond the headlight units themselves to create an even more forceful gaze.

Dependent on the version, it is available with Pure Vision Full LED main- and dipped- beam lights.

For significantly enhanced night-time visibility, this technology provides a beam that is 20% more powerful than that of halogen headlights.

The permanently-lit tail lights feature Edge Light technology that generates a clear, bright 3D effect visible both close up and from a distance.

It is available in two trim levels – Expression and Dynamique, comprehensively spec’d from the base level upwards.

It is powered by a 2.5 Petrol Engine CVT (4x2 & 4x4), delivering 126kW/233Nm, CO2 emissions of 188g/100km and a claimed fuel consumption from 8.8litres/100km.

As is the case across Renault’s entire product range, the Koleos comes standard with a 5-year or 150 000km mechanical warranty; plus a 5-year or 90 000km service plan and a 6-year anti-corrosion warranty, with service intervals at 15 000km.

The wide horizontal tail lights amplify the impression of width (1 840mm) and draw attention to the centrally-positioned Renault diamond.

Furthermore, the Koleos packs all the SUV styling codes associated with the segment, including taut lines that combine a rugged stance with head-turning looks.

Onboard experience

Meticulous care has been taken to ensure that the interior of the Koleos ensures the well-being of passengers.



It features a stylish satin-finish chrome for the steering wheel inserts, gear lever and air vent surrounds, along with a durable and pleasant-to-the-touch finish for the centre console. It also features cushion-backed materials for the dashboard and door panels.

Comfort is further enhanced through customisable LED cabin lighting, with a palette of hues ranging from green and blue, to yellow, red or violet, to complement the mood of the driver and/or passengers.

Another innovative feature worthy of premium models is the front cup holder that can be chilled or heated.



Not only are the front seats extremely comfortable thanks to their enveloping design and the variable density foam, but they are deemed the very biggest in the Model’s class, says Renault.

Space aplenty

Version dependent, the front seats come with six-way power adjustment and lumbar adjustability. The centre console can slide 80mm forwards, enabling the ideal driving position to be set.

The curved form of the front seatbacks shell frees up extra room for rear passengers and enhances the impression of open space.

It is very evident that no compromise has been made between passenger comfort and the model’s looks. Its exterior features were designed to deliver the highest standard of travelling comfort for all five occupants.



This record cabin space is further complemented by a large configurable boot and numerous practical storage solutions.

The 464-litre boot features a conveniently removable floor positioned at the same height as the sill to form a flat floor that houses a full-size spare wheel.

Handles easily located in the boot enable the Easy Break system, allowing the 60/40-split rear bench to be folded instantly to free up an impressive total carrying capacity of 1 795 litres.



It has 35 litres of additional storage around the cabin, including an 11-litre glove box and 7-litre cubby in the centre console.

It also offers eye-catching high-end equipment in the shape of an extra large capacitive touchscreen (Up to 8.7") with exclusive Renault R-Link2 functionality for an enriched driving experience.

Voice recognition for onboard GPS navigation, hands-free telephony and radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allowing compatibility for smartphone mirroring and Rear Parking Camera for ease of manoeuvrability and intuitive driving features - i.e. Cruise Control and Speed Limiter.

Uncompromised Safety

Drivers can be well assured that New Koleos offers safety of the highest level, with a 5-star Euro NCAP Safety rating.

It offers a plethora of features to ensure both Passive and Active safety for driver and passengers.

Passive Safety is provided through structure innovation for adult protection, to help limit crash energy impact on occupants.

Standard safety features include:

• ABS + EBD + EBA + ESP + ASR + HAS

• Cornering Fog Lights

• Electrochromic rear-view mirror

• Blind Spot Warning

• Park Assist

Off-road ability

In keeping with the Renault design strategy introduced by Laurens van den Acker in 2010, it is also covered by the 'Explore' design pillar, which stands for robustness and a taste for adventure.

The All-Mode 4x4-i transmission is available for car features technology that has been proved on millions of Renault’s Alliance vehicles worldwide.

This all-wheel-drive system permanently monitors grip levels to guarantee optimal traction whatever the conditions.

Unlike many competitor models, the Koleos continues to feature a control switch that allows drivers to choose the transmission mode.

Very easy to use, it is situated to the right of the steering wheel and enables the driver to select one of three modes, namely 2WD, 4WD Auto or the exclusive 4WS Lock.

In addition to enhancing its off-road ability, All Mode 4x4-i transmission delivers more dynamic performance plus greater stability and enhanced safety.

Colour choice and transmission

X-Tronic automatic transmission was designed to deliver greater driving enjoyment and reduced fuel consumption compared with conventional automatic transmissions.

Its benefits range from instant response when accelerating rapidly, to a smoother, quieter ride and optimised fuel consumption at constant speeds.

The car’s natural elegance is further complemented through the sophisticated body colour selection available, i.e. Ultra Silver, Metallic Grey, Metallic Black, Mineral Beige, Cosmo Blue and Solid White, and the wheel designs available – Silver Grey Esquis 17” wheels and Silver Grey Taranis 18" wheels.




Article source: https://m.wheels24.co.za/OffRoad_and_4x4/Bakkie_and_SUV/heres-all-you-need-to-know-about-renaults-next-gen-koleos-now-in-sa-20190214

2019 Renault Kwid Outsider

2019 Renault Kwid Outsider has made its debut at the 2018 Sao Paulo Auto Show

in Brazil. This new model looks similar to the Kwid Climber edition that’s currently

retailed in the Indian market. Though, the former carries more rugged and bold

stance. First previewed in its concept avatar in 2016, the Renault Kwid Outsider will

see a release in the Brazilian market early next year.

Unlike the regular model, the 2019 Renault Kwid Outsider features dual tone faux

skid plates, fog lamps with sporty black cladding, dual tone roof bars and an

“Outsider’ badge on the front doors. The front grille looks simple with chrome garnish.

The black alloy wheels add more to its rugged looks.

Changes have also been made inside the cabin. The 2019 Renault Kwid Outsider gets stylish Orange highlights on the Media Nav infotainment system’s frame, gear knob, air vents and doors. The model has new fabric seats with sporty orange details.

Under the hood, the Brazil-spec Renault Kwid Outsider features the same 1.0-litre

SCe, three-cylinder flex-fuel engine paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox. This motor

is capable of produced power worth 66PS and a peak torque of 92.18Nm while

running on petrol and 70PS with 96.11Nm of torque on ethanol.

In India, the Renault Kwid hatchback is ready to receive its first mid-lift update

sometime next year. The updated version is likely to get new body graphics along

with minor design changes. The hatchback will also come with a pack of new

comfort and safety features.

Article source: https://www.indiacarnews.com/news/2019-renault-kwid-outsider-unveiled-in-

brazil-30095/

National Museums Foundation to Transport Artwork in Renault Van

Renault donated a van to Morocco's FNM to reduce the cost of transporting works of art.

The president of the National Museum Foundation (FNM), Mehdi Qotbi, and the managing director of the Renault Maroc group, Marc Nassif, signed a donation agreement on Monday in Rabat.

The deal will link Renault to the various museums affiliated with the foundation in Morocco. According to the deal, Renault will donate a specially-equipped van to FNMto transport artwork safely.

In a statement to the press, Qotbi said he was happy to see FNM partner with the private sector. He added that many companies had already partnered with FNM.

The Renault Kangoo van will help to reduce the cost of transporting works of art within the kingdom, Qotbi said.

Nassif said it was a “great day” since this agreement seals a partnership that began several months ago. The partnership began when Renault brought children from orphanages in Tangier and Casablanca to visit the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rabat.

Article source: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2018/12/260056/national-museums-fnm-artwork-renault/

10 Things To Know About The New Renault Duster

The Renault Duster has been a big game-changer for the French car manufacturer and till the KWID came along, it was the lone successful model in the company’s short lineup. It was back in 2012 that Renault hit upon the motherlode when it comes to succeeding in the unforgiving Indian market. While the Renault Duster interior quality left a lot to be desired, the car was still a product that offered buyers the right combination of space, styling & road-presence. Not to mention the sweet 110 bhp, six-speed powertrain combination.

Spin the clock four years forward & the competition was starting to nip at its heels. The compact-SUV segment was booming and Renault knew they had to do something. With the next generation Duster some time away, the French manufacturer decided that stop-gap measures were needed quickly, and promptly introduced the facelifted edition earlier this year. Here are 10 things to know about the new Duster:

1. The car is still the good old, trusted one, which means it is capable of taking a fair bit of abuse without complaint.
2. There’s no change in the exterior dimensions over the outgoing version, but it is starting to show its age, especially when viewed against some of the recently launched competition.
3. Current Duster owners will be able to upgrade to the new headlights & taillights as Renault has not altered the sheet metal surrounding them.
4. The Renault Duster interior has been spruced up in the face-lift, with key changes including auto-climate controls, repositioned power-window switches, etc.
5. Fog lamps continue to be recessed & are housed in separate enclosures making them less prone to damage.
6. Ground clearance continues to be high, with 110mm for the AWD variant & 105mm for the regular one.
7. The ORVM’s now feature integrated turn-indicators. The older version sported these on the fenders.
8. Cost cutting is evident everywhere, with the same old interior touches being retained & cheeky attempts such as using an emblem to block the gap where the indicators were housed before.
9. The AMT is available only on the two-wheel drive variant, that too with the 110 bhp engine option. All-Wheel Drive variants have to make do with the regular six-speed transmission.
10. The brown interior trim may be better resistant to soiling over the popular, beige option, but it does not match well with the entire exterior colour options.

Now that you have gone through the 10 things to know about the new Renault Duster, hit up the comments below & tell us what you like best in the facelifted edition & what you don’t!

Article source: https://www.cartrade.com/blog/2016/top-10/10-things-to-know-about-the-new-renault-duster-1810.html

Renault Clio Review

The Renault Clio has been one of the most impressive small cars around for some time now, and this latest version more than stands up to its established rivals, as well as the more recent entrants into this crowded section of the market. The 2016 Renault Clio is as practical as anything in its class, which means despite looking pretty diminutive at first glance, it’s easily big enough to accommodate four adults, and there's enough space in the boot to handle the weekly shop for the family and more.

The 2016 Renault Clio in Detail

Our version of this enduring and delightful little car comes with two petrol engines and one diesel to choose between. The base engine is a 1.2-litre petrol developing 75 horsepower and 107 Nm of torque and it's available in the Expression and Dynamique Nav trims, but not the top-of-the-range Dynamique S Nav trim. The next engine in the lineup is a 1.5-litre turbo diesel producing 90 horsepower and 220 Nm, and that can be had in all three trim levels. Last but certainly not least is the most economical of the two petrols, which is a three-cylinder, 0.9-litre unit giving you 90 horsepower and 140 Nm of torque to play with.

Transmission

All models come with a five-speed manual gearbox except the Dynamique S Nav dCi 90 Auto, which as the name suggests, comes with a six-speed automatic mated to the 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine.

All three engines are good in their own right, but the diesel offers the most power and the best economy, so it's likely to be the one the majority of buyers will opt for.

Renault Clio Fuel Economy

As far as fuel economy is concerned, you're not going to be visiting a fuel station too often whichever version of the 2016 Renault Clio you go for. The "worst" engine as far as efficiency is concerned is the standard 1.2 petrol, but even that one returns an impressive combined figure of 51.4 mpg. The three-cylinder turbo gives you an extra 10 mpg for a combined figure of 61.4 mpg, but the diesel is the real winner, even if you go for the automatic gearbox. The Eco version of the diesel with manual box returns a staggering 88.3 mpg combined, while the standard version only sees that figure reduce marginally to 85.6 mpg. Adding the automatic box does affect fuel consumption, but you're still going to be seeing a pretty frugal 80.7 mpg combined.

The Clio Has Plenty of Space

There's a reasonable amount of space for four adults in the 2016 Renault Clio, and the amount of available boot space is exactly what it should be for a car of this size. The rear seats are of the 60/40 split folding variety, so you've got more cargo room available if you don’t need the rear seats for passengers.

The Secret of the Renault Clio's Appeal

The Clio has always been a good-looking car, and this fourth-generation model is no exception. Customisation is a big deal with cars in this section of the market these days, and the Clio offers more than most in this area. That's definitely a good thing as this is a car that's always appealed to a largely youthful audience, so allowing such a degree choice in the Clio's styling will only widen that appeal even further.

Article source: http://www.kearys.ie/blog/2016-renault-clio-review.html

5 REASONS WHY NEW KWID BEATS THE COMPETITION

The Renault KWID has just landed in South Africa and in many instances has elbowed its way to the front of the compact queue. Has it become the first choice when it comes to the budget conscious new car buyer?

Here are five compelling reasons to get behind the wheel of the new Renault KWID

• Free Insurance (for a year)

First time buyers and those who are on a tight budget, free insurance for a year can provide much needed breathing space when taking on a big investment, such as buying a new car. A conservative insurance premium for around R500/month equates to a R6000 saving for the first 12 months of ownership.

• Ground Clearance and Trendy Crossover Styling

Because Renault KWID is modelled around a compact crossover, the 180mm ground clearance allows inexperienced drivers the freedom to make little mistakes. Whether you’re touching the pavement with a tyre or ramping a speed bump by mistake, parking on the grass at “Uni” or taking a gravel shortcut, KWID takes all of this every day mayhem in its stride, making it a compelling choice for parents or students wanting a robust, attractive and modern vehicle.

• Interior Space

With height adjustable front seats and spacious rear leg and head room, KWID’s crossover roots once again give it an advantage over its competitors.  Add to that the 300 litres of available stowage and you’re looking at a class leader.

• The Engine

The 999cc 3-cylinder engine pushes out 50kW and, with KWID’s weight being just 700kg, it has one of the best in class power-to-weight ratios. This all adds up to a respectable claimed fuel consumption figure of 4.7 litres/100 km.

• Class-leading in-car Technology

Bluetooth, aircon, USB and modern interior all come standard in the new Renault KWID.  Another first in this segment is the 7” Touchscreen MediaNav Multimedia system. Electric power steering, digital dashboard and electric front windows round off a spec list that wouldn’t be out of place a few segments up.

Modern and wearing a badge that has earned a reputation for innovative technology without attaching the lofty price tag, the Renault KWID is now on sale in South Africa in Expression and Dynamique specification.

Article source: http://www.sacarfan.co.za/2016/11/5-reasons-why-new-kwid-beats-the-competition/