Good news for Renault fans. The new Clio sedan (Symbol) also known as Thalia on some markets, is going to be unveiled at the Moscow Motor Show next week. The Europeans, Russian and Turkish markets will be the first to get it.

Analysts are not very impressed and consider it “very boring” and if we start surgery on its exterior, there are certainly similarities between this one and the budget branded sister, the new Dacia Logan. It’s true that it’s not intended to those that can afford more expensive models, but still, we expected more from a new model. At least they’re going to take care of it when it comes to engines. Only last generation engines will be used.

What do you think?

The first pictures of Renault Megane R26 R have surfaced although we were not meant to see them yet, but British site Autocar got a few low-res images. Rumors say this sporty is scheduled to be unveiled at the London Motor Show next month. That’s definitely the one I’d be looking to see.

Considered the most extreme ever built, Megane R26 R is close to a track car, but legal. Under the hood you’ll probably get the 230hp 2.0 turbo engine and the limited slip differential while the biggest advantage is that it’s much lighter. Carbon fiber hood, polycarbonate windows and other small changes resulted in 125 kg less than the R26.

It should hit 60mph in only 6 seconds and the price should be close to £24,000. Isn’t that expensive? I think it is!

Source:

Renault Megane III is one of the “biggest” French cars expected to be unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. Pictures leaked online, but seem to unclear to make us go ‘oooohhhhh’ with excitement. So here are some of the new features that will hopefully take the fill that gap for you.

The first and most obvious feature you will notice about the new model hatchback is the better design. It is very similar to that of the Twingo and Laguna and I’m sure with its stylish look you will see other car companies soon follow suit.

There are 4 versions of the Megane coming out: station wagon, sedan, 3-door and a 5-door. The higher priced models may have a 2 litre turbo able to deliver 225bhp, standard models are 1.4 litre, 1.6 litre and 2 litre petrol engines and 1.5 litre and 2 litre diesel engines, all with four cylinders. Sales will take place soon after the first presentation of this car and at anywhere between € 15,000 to about € 30,000 someone will be having a ‘good’ day. I think this is defiantly one to keep your eye on, until we have the official pictures.

Today was the day of the concepts with the new Seat Bocanegra and SAAB’s 9-X BioHybrid, but there’s room for one more. The new Renault Megane Coupe Concept is damn beautiful and as expected it has a very futuristic interior.

But I’ll start with some tech specs because this baby is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged petrol engine that develops 200hp and delivers 280 Nm at 2,600 rpm. It has a manual 6-speed transmission and does 0 to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds which is not bad at all. CO2 emissions are pretty low at only 154 g/km while the mixed fuel consumption is 6.5L/100km.

On the outside the new Megan Coupe Concept shows off with distinctive (sporty) looks, has an “unprecedented door opening kinematics” that makes car access easier. “The juxtaposition of headlamp modules with aluminum-finish air-intakes also conveys an impression of fluidity and movement” (they say in the press release).

Oh and I mentioned the futuristic interior right? Well it has a central multimedia control coupled with a display that is divided into three zones : navigation in the middle and cameras in the other two.

Here’s a video of the new Renault Megane Coupe Concept.

via

Announced a few minutes ago, Renault Laguna GT is the newest model to come out from the French bench. It’s stylish and expressive and it uses the new Active Drive chassis which is complex a four wheel steering system (4WS) set up that will make the new Laguna GT to  “reach new heights in driveability and active safety”.

The performance for this sports tourer, which is actually a family car, is assured by two engines. One is a 2.0 dCi diesle engine that sports 180hp  and a turbo 2.0-liter petrol engine to come up with 205hp.  With special 18-inch Celsium alloy wheels which hide large 320mm front brake discs and a dark charcoal leather on the interior the new Renault Laguna GT is going to look great at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show.

If you didn’t know by now that Renault is planning to release a Laguna Coupe, it doesn’t matter. We have a few pictures for you that were spied by our friends from in one of the Scandinavian countries. It’s covered as expected but still a big attraction to know the French are testing. This can only mean we’re going to see it live, sooner, maybe Geneva in March? Naaah. Rumors say 2009 is the year.

The new Renault Laguna Coupe comes will have a 3-liter V6 dci engine with 230+ hp, in two doors (sounds like a normal for me) and is going to ride head by head with the new VW Passat CC  and the new CLS from Mercedes. I’m sure it will do good. Here is an artist impression on how it looks.

These are supposed to be the first photos of the new Renault Megane III. They are artist renderings and from what I see Megan III it’s based on the concept we’ve seen before, Renault Altica and changes the hatchback rear to something that involves curves this time.

My sources told me that Megan III will please a lot of people out there, because it will come as a sedan, hatchback, coupe, convertible, station wagon and even a crossover version. All these will be in three and five doors. Obviously, the main competition are Peugeot 308, VW Gold VI (not yet released) and the Fiat Bravo.

I don’t have a release date but Paris Motor Show in 2008 sounds like a good one.

After escaping from paying a 100 million Euro fine in the McLaren-spying scandal, Renault seems to afford paying a yearly rumored 30 million Euro salary to Fernando Alonso for a two year contract. I am sure the French team is doing a great move by bringing the Spanish drive, the 3rd in the 2007 championship (just 1 pt away from the title).

Along with Alonso, Nelson Piquet jr., the 22 year old Brazilian will come as the second driver. He’s been a Formula 1 test driver for one year and will have a lot to learn from the double world champion.

via BlogF1