Autoblog

Renault stays in Formula One after selling stake in team

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:29:00 EST

The Renault name will remain on the Formula One grid when the series resumes in 2010 thanks to a deal announced on Wednesday. There had been considerable speculation in recent months that Renault would shut down its F1 effort and follow Honda, BMW and Toyota out the door. These rumors hit a fever pitch after the "Crash-Gate" controversy and the sudden departure of primary sponsor ING.

However, in the past couple of weeks it became plausible that Renault could stay in the sport although in a scaled down fashion. Luxemborg based Genii Capital will buy a majority stake in the team which will retain the automaker's name. The exact percentage hasn't been disclosed although the earlier speculation had Renault retaining only 25 percent of the team.

Renault will retain the engine building operation and continue to supply the Red Bull Racing team in 2010. The press release is after the jump.

[Source: Renault]

Continue reading Renault stays in Formula One after selling stake in team

Renault stays in Formula One after selling stake in team originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

WSJ: Renault pondering return to North America

Chris Shunk — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Renault

Dacia Duster - Click above for high-res image gallery

Renault hasn't been in the US market since 1987, the year the Alliance and the Encore stopped trickling out of AMC factories. Few have missed the French automaker's presence since it left our shores, though many thought the doors would once again open to the land of opportunity once Nissan was in the fold. That hasn't happened so far, but a story in The Wall Street Journal shows that Renault is at least thinking about once again coming Stateside to sell cars and SUVs. Gerard Detourbet, head of Renault's entry-level vehicle division, told WSJ that the company is studying a move to North America, and the vehicle that could influence the decision is the low-cost Duster SUV.

The Duster, which for now is being build by Dacia in Romania, will eventually be sold as a Renault once production ramps up. If the apparently capable Duster is a success in emerging markets like South America and Eastern Europe, there could be a chance Renault would give the mini ute a chance in the U.S. But Detourbet reportedly doesn't see Renault entering the U.S. market with just one vehicle like it did with the Alliance in late 1982, instead favoring a family of affordable vehicles as the best approach. And with Renault's Logan line already established in many parts of the world, the budget-minded nameplate could be reworked for U.S. duty at some point in the future.

While it's nice to hear that Renault is at least considering a return to America, we're not all that hopeful that anything will happen within the next three to five years. Besides, once the Duster is retrofitted for U.S. duty it'll probably be heavier, more expensive and overwhelmingly diesel-less.

Gallery: Dacia Duster 4x4

[Source: Wall Street Journal - Sub's Req'd]

WSJ: Renault pondering return to North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Street Legal Racer: Renaultsport launches entry-level rally-spec Twingo

Noah Joseph — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:40:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Hatchback, Renault, Specialty

Renaultsport Twingo R2 - Click above for high-res image gallery

For such a tiny car, Renault's punchy little Twingo RS sure has been getting a lot attention lately. First came the launch of the Twingo Gordini edition, reviving a long-dormant racing nameplate for the French automaker. Then Jeremy Clarkson took it for a ride (and a swim) around (and under) Belfast. Now Renault's motorsport division has released the a pair of entry-level rally machines based on the pint-size hot hatch.

Called the Twingo Renaultsport R1 and R2, these are Renault's latest offerings to aspiring rally drivers getting in at the bottom. They pack 1.6-liter 16-valve four-bangers pumping out a substantial 160 horsepower - 27 over the standard RS - driving the front wheels through a five-speed sequential gearbox with a slip-resistant dog clutch and wheel-mounted shift paddles. There's little to distinguish the rally machines from their street-going counterparts, but inside, the interior has been stripped out and fitted with a roll cage.

Upgrading from the R1 to the R2 (which can be performed at any later point, helpful if your team is dependent on prize cash to re-invest into the car) gains Sabelt buckets with six-point harness and a few more bells and whistles. The best part? They're apparently still street legal (in Europe at least) so you can drive it home after the rally instead of loading it onto a truck. A fully equipped Renaultsport Twingo R2 will set you back €38,980, or the equivalent of $58k in American greenbacks...if only it were actually available here. You know the drill: details in the press release after the jump, high-res photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: Renaultsport Twingo R2

[Source: Renault]

Continue reading Street Legal Racer: Renaultsport launches entry-level rally-spec Twingo

Street Legal Racer: Renaultsport launches entry-level rally-spec Twingo originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dacia shows off new production Duster 4x4

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, SUV, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Renault, Diesel, Off-Road

Dacia Duster - click above for high-res image gallery

You know what the problem with Autoblog is? Not enough Romanian cars! To rectify this hateful situation, we present to you the all-new Dacia Duster, a compact SUV that "rewrites the 4x4 rulebook." What that means is that in Europe, most SUVs are in fact soft roaders. Totally useless in the rough stuff despite their fancy all-wheel drive systems and too expensive for the majority of the people to purchase. The Duster, on the other hand, is going to cost little (hey, it's a Dacia!) yet be quite capable when the going gets rocky, muddy and/or roadless.

We've seen a tricked out, snow-racing version of the Dacia Duster before, but that's not the borscht and potatoes of the new Duster, so to speak. Designed primarily with emerging markets in mind (Russia, Turkey, Brazil, Maghreb), the Duster will also be badged as a Renault and sold in continental Europe. Never forget that it was Renault who helped Dacia to get off the ground in the mid-Sixties by handing over the tooling to the Renault 8, which reemerged as the Dacia 1100 (and the totally awesome 1100S).

Despite its cute-ute looks, Dacia is claiming that the Duster is the real, all-terrain deal. The stats seem to back that up: eight inches of ground clearance combined with 30 degree approach and 35 degree departure angles reminds us of ye olde Jeep Cherokee (hey, the old AMC-developed Cherokee had a lot of French in it). While missing the Cherokee's low gears, the Duster gets a three-stage transmission featuring an auto torque-split mode, lock and two wheel-drive. The tranny tech is actually sourced from Nissan (also owed by Renault) and it figures to work really well. in fact, there is some speculation that the Duster is based off Nissan's Qashqai. Also helpful is that the Duster weighs just 2,816 pounds in 4x4 guise (2,596 pounds as a 4x2). Then you factor in a torquey diesel power plant (105 horsepower, 266 pound-feet of torque) and you've got yourself quite an impressive bad road beasty.

Chances of us getting it here? Slimmer than none. First of all, whomever it is that still owns to rights to the Plymouth brand (Chrysler, Fiat, Daimler, the UAW, Obama?) would have nothing but dollar signs in their eyes if a Duster showed up. Then, of course, there's the undeniable fact that car makers have a sick aversion to giving us cheap, simple, rugged utilitarian diesel trucks. However, you're more than free to purchase an X5 xDrive35d from BMW, and soon you'll be able to buy a reworked Infiniti QX56 that halfway resembles a FX. Good stuff, right? We'll be getting a glimpse of the Duster up close and in the flesh come Geneva, but that'll be fleeting. Press release can be found after the jump.

Gallery: Dacia Duster 4x4

[Source: Dacia]

Continue reading Dacia shows off new production Duster 4x4

Dacia shows off new production Duster 4x4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Two bidders step up to acquire Renault F1

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:25:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Renault

Renault looks set to be the next automaker to bail out of Formula 1, and it appears that there are two serious bidders in line to take over the operation. Renault will hold a special board meeting this week to decide on the racing team's fate, and it looks like it may go ahead and just line up a sale right away, instead of announcing a shutdown and then trying work out a sale as Honda and BMW did.

AutoCar reports that Prodrive, which has been trying to break into F1 for several years, may have the inside line on the French outfit. The other primary bidder is Genil Capital, a Luxembourg-based investment fund. The financial group would likely retain the Renault name for the team, while Prodrive would probably run under its own banner. If Prodrive wins out, Renault would remain only as an F1 engine supplier.

[Source: AutoCar]

REPORT: Two bidders step up to acquire Renault F1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Renault and Russia come to agreement on AvtoVAZ

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Earnings/Financials, Renault, Russia

Renault has found a way to appease Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin that didn't involve writing a check for $850 million. The French company took a 25% stake in Russian carmaker Avtovaz, and when Avtovaz started having a hard time of it earlier this year Renault looked content to see how things turned out. Putin wasn't: he told Carlos Ghosn to inject cash into Avtovaz, or Putin would dilute Renault's stake with a share sale.

Things retreated from the cliff when Renault promised technology to Avtovaz, in return for which Russia would put 50 billion rubes ($1.7 billion U.S.) into the company. Renault's technology share is valued at €240 million ($358 million U.S.). The know-how could be of greater assistance to both companies than if Renault had contributed cash: Avotvaz gets something it can build on long term, and Renault doesn't have to throw good rubles after bad.

Avtovaz is nowhere near rescued, however. The company remains loaded with debt, making it difficult to finance its restructuring, and sales of its primary vehicle, Lada, haven't rebounded. And to hear Putin tell it, he could be knocking on Renault's door again soon.

[Source: Bloomberg | Photo: PIERRE VERDY/AFP/Getty Images]

REPORT: Renault and Russia come to agreement on AvtoVAZ originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Renault introduces Twingo Gordini R.S. hot hatch

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Hatchback, Renault

Renault Twingo Gordini R.S. - Click above for high-res image gallery

A few weeks back, Renault announced plans to revive the classic Gordini badge for its new high performance variants and now, the first model has been unveiled. Based on the automaker's smallest model, the Renault Twingo Gordini R.S. should prove to be mighty quick, with a 133 hp 1.6-liter engine to twist its 17 inch front wheels, along with an uprated suspension package and brakes.

Outside, the Twingo is coated in the historic blue hue that adorned French racing cars in the days before corporate sponsor colors took everything over, and buyers can also opt for pearlescent black to go with the white accents. Renault is displaying the car at their "Christmas in Blue" exhibit in Paris through the holidays and deliveries will start in March. Pricing hasn't been announced, but it will surely come in at a level that would make American consumers blanche for such a small car.

Gallery: Renault Twingo Gordini R.S.

[Source: Renault]

Continue reading Renault introduces Twingo Gordini R.S. hot hatch

Renault introduces Twingo Gordini R.S. hot hatch originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Renault delays new Lada products to focus on improving quality

Noah Joseph — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Renault, Russia

Lada Concept C - Click above for high-res image gallery

All eyes have been on Renault since acquiring a 25% stake in Russian automaker Avtovaz. The French carmaker headed by the venerable Carlos Ghosn beat out Fiat and General Motors to acquire the interest in Lada's parent company, but then the economy tanked and Ghosn was left holding his hat.

Original plans centered around new product launches to re-invigorate the Russian automaker, starting with the Concept C unveiled at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. But Renault has reportedly now changed its strategy, putting new Ladas on hold. Instead, they'll be showing the Ruskies how to build the cars they already build, but better. The plan is apparently taken out of the Volkswagen playbook, as implemented after the German group's acquisition of Skoda, which has apparently been working pretty well for them so far.

The focus of Renault's attention in Russia will start on the existing Kalina, applying lessons which "the West learned over 40 years" on a quicker learning curve. Once Ghosn and company feel Avtovaz has got the quality issue down pat, then it will begin to roll out new products based on Renault and Nissan platforms, currently pegged for somewhere around 2012 to 2014. Better hunker down, comrades: this could take a while.

Gallery: Lada C Concept

[Source: Autocar]

REPORT: Renault delays new Lada products to focus on improving quality originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Universal Soldiers: F1 aces Raikkonen, Vettel and Kubica lured by rallying

Noah Joseph — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:03:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Renault, Citroën

It used to be that a racing driver would pick his form of motorsport at the beginning of his career and stick with it for the duration. Sure, there have been a few notable exceptions - especially among the Finns - but these days, it seems as if the exceptions are gaining on the norm. F1 drivers like Juan Pablo Montoya are moving to NASCAR, WRC aces like Sebastien Loeb and MotoGP champs like Valentio Rossi are trying their hand at F1, while F1 champs like Michael Schumacher are checking out motorbike racing. But the latest trend has a growing number of current, active Formula One drivers contesting rallies on the world stage.

The most notable is Kimi Raikkonen, who has driven a few rallies behind the wheel of his own Punto Abarth. Now that he's looking to sit out of the next F1 season, all indications are that the departing Ferrari driver will find his way into the WRC. While downplaying the lingering prospect of the 2007 Formula One champion racing for the newly-christened Mercedes Grand Prix team next season, his managers are reportedly hard at work to get him a WRC drive for 2010. The most likely scenario would place Raikkonen with Citroen: Both the French rally team and the Finnish driver are sponsored by Red Bull, and the rapprochement could could pave the way for Kimi to return to F1 in 2011 for Red Bull Racing.

Even Red Bull's current F1 ace, Sebastian Vettel, has reportedly expressed interest in trying his hand at rallying, although his team principal is reportedly against the idea. After winning the Nations Cup at the Race of Champions together with Schumacher three years running, the young German has certainly demonstrated the versatility of his talent.

Meanwhile, the highly-rated Robert Kubica is preparing for his second rally since leaving BMW Sauber for the Renault F1 team. After a dismal first attempt, the Pole is set to return to the wheel of a Renaultsport Clio R3 Maxi for the final round of the French Rally Championship at Var next weekend. If Kubica manages to finish this time around, we could yet see more F1 drivers following him onto the rally scene.

[Sources: Autosport and F1-Live | Image: Clive Mason/Getty]

Universal Soldiers: F1 aces Raikkonen, Vettel and Kubica lured by rallying originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Ghosn still thinks Renault-Nissan should have partnered with GM in 2006

Chris Shunk — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:02:00 EST

Filed under: Chrysler, Nissan, Renault

With all the trials and tribulations General Motors has endured during the past year, we almost forgot that the Detroit, MI-based automaker nearly got itself tied up with Renault-Nissan. Back in 2006, the two companies discussed joining forces to become a singular global automotive juggernaut, but in the end, GM felt it was in its best interests to go it alone and face the quickly disintegrating global automotive market by themselves.

While GM's situation ultimately improved via bankruptcy and a $50 billion helping hand from the U.S. government, Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn still thinks the partnership would have been "without a doubt" in everyone's best interests. Ghosn reportedly made the comments during a meeting of the Council on Foreign Relations, adding that "there was a possibility to create something that would be extremely competitive."

Ghosn then went on to say that he wasn't happy the two companies didn't end up working together after GM nearly collapsed because "when you see the disaster and the waste of energy and skills and talent, nobody can be happy." The charismatic CEO also said that Renault-Nissan was very concerned about GM's precarious position earlier in the year due to the fact that his company uses many of the same suppliers. If GM had gone down, it would have probably taken more than a few suppliers with it, and Ghosn says that as a result, Nissan wouldn't have been able to make a single vehicle in North America.

While we can definitely understand why Ghosn would have preferred that the marriage of his company to GM was consecrated, we still don't see how it would have helped The General in the long run. GM still would have been in a very uncompetitive cash situation, and Renault-Nissan doesn't have much in the way of technology or platforms that the General doesn't already the equivalents to.

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Raveendran/AFP/Getty]

REPORT: Ghosn still thinks Renault-Nissan should have partnered with GM in 2006 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Renault could sell 40% of its F1 team to Russian investors

Noah Joseph — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Renault, Russia

A few weeks back, Toyota announced its departure from Formula One, and it looked like Renault could follow. The team had lost its drivers, its team leaders, its sponsors and its reputation. The French automaker's board convened in France to discuss the matter, but no announcement followed, leaving everyone scratching their heads. Well if the latest rumors hold any truth, we could have our reason.

While the decision may have seemed fairly black or white (should I stay or should I go?) there are plenty shades of gray for Renault to choose from. One option would have been to sell or shutter its team while continuing to supply engines, but now another possibility has emerged: for Renault to sell part of the team but keep the rest.

The reports stem from Turun Sanomat, one of Finland's largest daily papers, which suggests that the French automaker could sell as much as 40 percent of the team to an unnamed Russian company. The move would help Renault raise some much-needed capital to continue its involvement in the sport, but could come with strings attached, including placing GP2 runner-up Vitaly Petrov in a race seat beside Robert Kubica. Considering the hot water Renault's already in with the Russians and how poorly the country's last venture into F1 went, they could prove hesitant, but then Ghosn and company might not have any better options.

[Source: Turun Sanomat via F1-Live]

REPORT: Renault could sell 40% of its F1 team to Russian investors originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Snow Drift: Dacia Duster debuts for Trophée Andros with Alain Prost

Noah Joseph — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, SUV, Europe, Renault, Specialty

Dacia Duster Trophée Andros - Click above for high-res image gallery

Let's set one thing straight here. The retirement of a leading Formula One driver is often portrayed as some sort of tragedy - for the driver himself especially. But the truth of the matter is that for a former World Champion, the world is his oyster. Retired F1 drivers can go on to compete in virtually any racing discipline they wish, with nothing to prove in the process. Of contemporary retired World Champions, Hakkinen and Rosberg went to DTM, Mansell took the Indy title, Lauda's training to become an astronaut and Villeneuve's gone...well, everywhere. But Alain Prost has gone another route entirely.

Having retired from F1 in 1994 after his fourth World Championship, Alain started his own team. Prost Grand Prix eventually folded in 2002, and the following year, the French driver began competing in the Trophée Andros. The most prominent ice racing series in the world, the Andros Trophy is held primarily in France where it draws some big names. World Touring Car Champion Yvan Muller won the Andros Trophy ten times, but in 2006 and 2007, Prost took the title twice in a row, driving a specially prepared Toyota Auris. This year, however, the quadruple F1 champion will be driving this: the new Dacia Duster.

Although a production version of the budget SUV won't be unveiled until Geneva in March - a year after the concept version debuted there - the Romanian subsidiary of French automaker Renault has given the world a sneak preview with this ice-racing version. Specially built by Renaultsport - the same outfit that fields single-seater formulae and makes all those wonderful hot hatches - the Duster ice racer packs Nissan's highly decorated VQ engine: a 3.0-liter 24-valve V6, mounted in the middle (that is, behind the driver) of a tubular chassis, driving 350 horsepower through a six-speed sequential gearbox to all four wheels via limited slip differential and a mechanical four-wheel-steering system. A fiberglass body helps keep weight down to just 2,100 lbs - the minimum allowed in the series - which should help Prost keep his competition on ice and keep Dacia fans (like Top Gear's James May) cool until the production version hits proper tarmac. Check out the full details in the press release after the jump and photos in our high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: Dacia Duster Troph�e Andros

[Source: Dacia]

Continue reading Snow Drift: Dacia Duster debuts for Trophée Andros with Alain Prost

Snow Drift: Dacia Duster debuts for Trophée Andros with Alain Prost originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Renault reportedly to expand sub-RS GT range

Noah Joseph — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Renault, UK

2009 Renault Laguna Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

Renaultsport is certainly proving itself a garage full of busy little castors, isn't it? The French automaker's performance division is working on a new Formula Renault car, built in-house to replace its outsourced predecessor, and just announced the launch of the Gordini brand to slot in above its existing RS hatchbacks. Now reports from the Old World indicate that the division is also set to take over the company's GT range, slotting in below the existing Renaultsport lineup.

Among the first new products which Renaultsport could be working on, according to Autocar, is a successor to the short-lived Laguna GT, which was recently withdrawn from the UK market while continuing limited sales in the rest of Europe. The existing car already features a four-wheel-steering system developed by Renaultsport.

Previously, the RS division only worked its magic on the company's hatchbacks - large and small - but with the inclusion of the GT range in its rapidly-expanding portfolio, a Renaultsport-tuned Laguna GT capable of actually tackling Laguna Seca could be looming on the horizon.

Gallery: 2009 Renault Laguna Coupe

[Source: Autocar]

Renault reportedly to expand sub-RS GT range originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Renaultsport launching new Formula 2.0 car

Noah Joseph — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Renault, Specialty

2010 Formula Renault 2.0 undergoing testing at Rockingham, UK - Click above for high-res image gallery

No single automaker occupies more steps on the formula racing ladder than Renault. In addition to running their own Formula One team (for the time being, at least) and powering both the GP2 Series and the upcoming GP3, the French automaker's motorsport division organizes the Formula Renault 1.6 and Formula Renault 2.0 championships worldwide, as well as the World Series by Renault (formerly known as Formula Renault 3.5). Its enough to keep the folks over at Renaultsport busy at every turn, and gives aspiring racers a framework through which to advance.

Since taking over in 2000 from the Formula France series founded in 1968, Formula Renault 2.0 has been running chassis made by Tatuus, a racing firm in the same vein as Dallara or Reynard. But Renaultsport is replacing the nine-year-old chassis with a new carbon-fiber unit built in-house.

As you might have guessed from the name, the series employs 2.0-liter engines, the 16-valve four-cylinder F4R832 sourced from the Clio RS, mated to a seven-speed sequential gearbox. Although the sticker price for the new car has gone up by five grand to 57,000 euros ($85k), significant energies were invested in reducing operational costs, which drop by ten percent for the new car. All the while, the new chassis raises performance to the level of higher formulae and meets the FIA's crash standards laid out for Formula 3. The car has already undergone over 6,000 kilometers (3,700 miles) of testing on nine different circuits across Europe, including most recently at the Rockingham Motor Speedway at the hands of 2007 Formula Renault UK Champion Duncan Tappy (pictured above).

Considering that such noteworthy current F1 drivers as Felipe Massa, Lewis Hamilton and Robert Kubica all passed through Formula Renault on their way up, and that Kimi Raikkonen moved into F1 directly from the series, the new FR2 could be one of the most important unveilings for the future of motorsports. Details in the press releases after the jump and photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2010 Formula Renault 2.0

[Source: Renaultsport]

Continue reading Renaultsport launching new Formula 2.0 car

Renaultsport launching new Formula 2.0 car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Renault revives the Gordini name for exclusive line of hot hatches [w/VIDEO]

Noah Joseph — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Renault

Renault Gordini - Click either image for high-res image gallery

If you were one of the French hot hatch enthusiasts who was disappointed by this week's news that Peugeot was getting out of the game, take heart - rival automaker Renault has announced a new line of what it does best, while reviving a long-dormant historic nameplate in the process.

Named after Renault racing engineer extraordinaire Amédée Gordini, the Gordini badge became a symbol of success for the French automaker. The iconic R8 Gordini (pictured at right) dominated rallying in the mid-Sixties and gave birth to its own one-mark series with the Renault 1300 Gordini. Four decades later, Renault is bringing the name back for an exclusive new line of hot hatches.

Positioned above the existing Renaultsport lineup, the Gordini range will be mechanically identical to its RS counterparts, but distinguish themselves with retro styling touches (like French racing blue paint scheme with white stripes) and an extra dose of exclusivity. The first product in the new range, the Twingo Gordini RS (teased above), is slated to be unveiled at L'Atelier Renault - the company's flagship store on the Champs Elysées in Paris - on November 25 before its market launch next spring. Gordini edition Clio and Megane are slated to follow suite, all decked out in the sub-brand's iconic French racing blue with white racing stripes.

Click on the thumbnails below for a mega gallery of Gordini archive photos, or follow the jump to check out a Gordini video chock-full of historic footage. And while you're back there, you can read the full press release, too.

Gallery: Renault Gordini archival photographs

[Source: Renault]

Continue reading Renault revives the Gordini name for exclusive line of hot hatches [w/VIDEO]

Renault revives the Gordini name for exclusive line of hot hatches [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Renault-Nissan vows to build world's cheapest car? Nano-nah-nah-nah-nah!

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Plants/Manufacturing, Nissan, Renault, India, Tata

Tata Nano - Click above for high-res image gallery

The other day we alerted you to the "fact" that Ford will be releasing a brand new $650 car. But as does everything that sounds too good to be true, the car in question was a severely used (and dented) 1993 Ford Taurus, and the Wisconsin-based masters of parody at The Onion were behind the video, not the Ford Motor Company. We mention this because more than one of you took the time to comment without watching the video, and the results were quite funny - in a laughing at you sort of way. Today though, is no joke.

Carlos Ghosn, the lovable star of his own Japanese manga comic and the CEO of Renault-Nissan, is claiming that his company will produce a car that costs less than the $2,500 Tata Nano, making the as-yet-to-be-named car the cheapest in India, and therefore the least expensive in the world. The car will be built by Bajaj Auto, an Indian scooter and rickshaw company. Not to be left out of the party, both Toyota and GM have expressed interest in selling "ultralow-cost small cars" on the Subcontinent.

However, these cheap, small cars just don't sell themselves. So far, Tata has managed to move just 10,500 Nanos since July. For their part, Bajaj and Renault-Nissan were hoping to get their ultralow-coster on the road by 2011, but there have been delays. First announced last year, Ghosn said that the delays should come as no surprise since neither Bajaj or Renault-Nissan has ever made such a vehicle. He did note, however, that such a car is "critical" to Renault-Nissan's presence in India.

"I don't want Renault and Nissan to be makers of very pretty cars that people dream about but cannot afford." said Ghosn. He also said that by the time Renault and Nissan's small car debuted it might no longer be the very cheapest. There are also plans afoot to export the new vehicle out of India, just like Tata is planning to do with the Nano, though that car would most likely be slightly reworked and therefor more expensive. Tip of the pith helmet to Neil!

Gallery: Tata Nano

[Source: The Los Angeles Times]

Renault-Nissan vows to build world's cheapest car? Nano-nah-nah-nah-nah! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Renault board considering following Toyota out of F1

Noah Joseph — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Renault

Things have never been this bad for the Renault F1 team. Their performance is light-years behind where it used to be, their star driver is bolting once again, their top management has been thrown out of the sport in disgrace, and its biggest sponsors are leaving en masse. And now, following months if not years of speculation, the French automaker could be preparing to cut its losses and shut down its racing team altogether.

Reports indicate that Renault's board of directors is currently weighing its options, with possibilities including maintaining its full participation in the series, reverting to acting as an engine supplier for other teams (like Red Bull), or following Toyota and BMW out of the sport before next season. However reports that the FIA is considering taking legal action against Toyota for breach of contract which locked the company into the series through 2012 could make the decision a little more difficult.

The anticipation must be especially gut-wrenching for Robert Kubica, who just signed with Renault for next season after BMW Sauber exited the series. One way or another, the company is expected to announce its decision in the coming days.

[Source: Autocar | Image: Jasper Juinen/Getty]

REPORT: Renault board considering following Toyota out of F1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Russian PM Putin reportedly tells Renault to put up or get out

Noah Joseph — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Earnings/Financials, Renault, Russia

It seemed like a good idea at the time, but with hindsight being 20-20, how many failed ventures can be summed up by that same excuse? Just last year, Russia was looking to foreign investors as one of the most promising emerging markets in the world. Renault got locked into a bidding war with Fiat and General Motors for a large stake in Autovaz, Russia's largest automaker, known to consumers for producing Lada.

Renault won and paid $1 billion for the 25% stake. But one year and one giant global economic meltdown later, that victory is looking more like a liability - the quarter interest is now worth less than a quarter of what Carlos Ghosn and company paid for it. And now Renault is expected to bail Autovaz out of its troubles or else face the wrath of one Vladimir Putin.

The autocratic Russian prime minister, whose government both owns another quarter of Autovaz on the one hand and has extended significant loans to it on the other, has reportedly demanded that Renault cough up some serious dough - $850 million, to be exact - in "emergency loans" to keep the Russian automaker solvent following a nosedive in the domestic market that saw sales plummet a whopping 50 percent and its workforce subsequently cut by a fifth.

Putin is reportedly threatening to further dilute Renault's stake in Autovaz if they don't comply, but while Ghosn has pledged to establish a new joint venture between the two together with sister company Nissan, the cash has yet to flow. With the prospect of folding to Putin's demands threatening to weaken Renault's image in the Russian market and around the world, it seems to be a lose-lose situation.

[Source: Financial Post | Image: Dmitry Astakhov/AFP/Getty]

Russian PM Putin reportedly tells Renault to put up or get out originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Lazareth creates mid-mounted, Range Rover V8-powered Renault Twingo Trophy [*w/VIDEO]

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Budget, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Renault

Renault Twingo Trophy - Click above for high-res image gallery

Years ago, on a post-collegiate backpacking trip through Europe, we became strangely obsessed with the Renault Twingo. Going so far as to compose red vin induced Weird Al style poems, "Twingo, Twingo little car, how I wonder why you are." Today, we're having a slightly different reaction to this diminutive Renault.

Mostly because out back you'll find a 3.5-liter Range Rover sourced V8 kicking out 180 horses. That's right folks -- it's a Twingo with a mid-mounted V8. They call it the Twingo Trophy. Obviously, if you drop a V8 into the back of a runt like the Twingo -- even a small V8 -- you've got to perform some fairly serious mods. And French motorcycle builder Lazareth did just that, creating a modern day Renault R5. Albeit one with inboard shocks.

If you look at the pictures, you'll notice both the front and rear tracks got widened, comically so out back. The reason for the latter is a special rear tubular subframe Lazareth had to shoe horn in to deal with all the extra weight and power now suddenly present behind the front seats. They also put some goofy-sized 320 Yokohama slicks on the 18-inch rear wheels. Making the Twingo Trophy all the more ridiculous. But in a good way. We think. How much? About $100,000 give or take. A small price to pay for such a... distinctive Twingo.

*Update: There's a good chance the V8 makes much more than 180 ponies, especially judging by those wrapped headers. Also, we've added a pair of videos after the jump.

Gallery: Renault Twingo Trophy

[Source: Carscoop]

Continue reading Lazareth creates mid-mounted, Range Rover V8-powered Renault Twingo Trophy [*w/VIDEO]

Lazareth creates mid-mounted, Range Rover V8-powered Renault Twingo Trophy [*w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250 drops on unsuspecting Brits

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Renault

Mégane Renaultsport 250 -- Click above for high-res image gallery

We're not really fans of yellow cars, but every once in a while we come upon a butter-colored coupe and think, "Oh, that's not bad..." The Mégane Renaultsport 250 is just one of those cars, and makes us say again - in case we haven't said it enough - why can't we Americans have one of these?

The next evolution in the Mégane Renaultsport line, the 250 has been relentlessly fettled to provide a driver with more thrills. It comes in two versions: a race-ified Cup model, and regular. The former gets just about all the mod-cons as well as the Cup Suspension Pack with a limited slip differential, stiffer springs, dampers and anti-roll bar, grooved discs, red Brembo calipers, and Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires on 18-inch wheels.

If you must have everything, don't check the "Cup" box and you'll get heated leather seats, electrically adjustable driver's seat, Renault Hands Free card, dual-zone climate control, auto lights and wipers, and 18-inch wheels on Dunlop Sport Maxx TT tires, among other things. Best of all, you can get the Cup suspension with this model if you so choose.

Both cars get 250 hp and 250 lb-ft. The Cup runs £21,995 ($35,968 U.S.) on-the-road, the non-Cup goes for £22,995 ($37,604 U.S.). The Zola-length press release after the jump will tell you everything you want to know, or you can just check it out in the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: M�gane Renaultsport 250

[Source: Renault]

Continue reading Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250 drops on unsuspecting Brits

Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250 drops on unsuspecting Brits originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments