Autoblog Renault http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog Renault http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/favicon-v5.png Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and Jeff RossThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry. <![CDATA[Renault unveiling Twin'Run concept in Monaco [w/video]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/24/renault-unveiling-twinrun-concept-in-monaco-w-video/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/24/renault-unveiling-twinrun-concept-in-monaco-w-video/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/24/renault-unveiling-twinrun-concept-in-monaco-w-video/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , ,

Renault Twin'Run concept - front three-quarter view

During last year's Monaco Formula One Grand Prix weekend, Renault introduced us to the Alpine A110-50. This year, it's another revival called Twin'Run - the follow up to the Twin'Z but not called TwinFun, as we previously thought - a smooth blue hatch to update all those yellowed memories of the Renault R5 Turbo and Clio V6. With the same footprint as the Twin'Z, this is the other side of the 'play' theme in Renault's six-stage exploration of the stages of life through concept cars.

The Twin'Z is admittedly a neat piece of work, but the Twin'Run one - and its murderous exhaust note - has our hot breath all over it. A steel, tubular chassis provides the structure. Within it, just ahead of the rear axle is a 3.5-liter V6 with 320 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, shifted through a six-speed sequential transmission. To keep its city-car proportions stable on 18-inch wheels, the fuel tank, radiator and hydraulic system are in the front, under the hood, resulting in a 43/57 front-to-rear weight balance.

The bodywork is a mix of glass fiber and carbon fiber, the squarish headlamps and supplemental quad headlamps a nod to the R5 Turbo rally car and its light rack for nighttime stages. Inside is lots of black and red Alcantara, a gauge cluster wrapped in white lacquer and aluminum pedals whose setup is said to be motorsports tested.

The whole package weighs 2,090 pounds, and you can read all about it in the press release below. There's also a very French short film to go with it that you know involves lots of models clad in lots of leather, and those vintage forbearers.

Continue reading Renault unveiling Twin'Run concept in Monaco [w/video]

Renault unveiling Twin'Run concept in Monaco [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 May 2013 14:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> concept carmonacomonaco grand prixrenaultrenault twinrunrenault twinztwinrunvideo Fri, 24 May 2013 14:17:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20582767/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20582767/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/24/renault-unveiling-twinrun-concept-in-monaco-w-video/20582767/article-detail.xml 20582767 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/renault-twinrun-concept_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/renault-twinrun-concept.jpg <![CDATA[Renault and Red Bull Racing team up for awesome sports Megane [w/video]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/renault-and-red-bull-racing-team-up-for-awesome-sports-megane/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/renault-and-red-bull-racing-team-up-for-awesome-sports-megane/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/renault-and-red-bull-racing-team-up-for-awesome-sports-megane/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

Renault Mégane R.S. Red Bull Racing RB8 - front three-quarter view

The Renault Mégane R.S. Red Bull Racing RB8 is a special edition hatchback celebrating the company's third year in a row powering Infiniti Red Bull Racing to the Formula One Constructor's Championship. The French carmaker did the same thing last year with the Megane R.S. Red Bull Racing RB7, but whereas last year's model came in the black and yellow livery associated with Renault factory racing teams, this one hews closer to Infiniti Red Bull colors, with an exclusive Crépuscule Blue finish and platinum gray accents.

Other signs as to the hatchack's purpose are the Red Bull logos on the rear quarter panels, the badging on the sills and inside and the laurel stickers on the rear windows. Helping fulfill the buyer's need for speed are a set of 19-inch black wheels shod in the same Bridgestone rubber that got the Megane around the Nürburgring in record time for a production front-wheel-drive car. The car also includes the first use of Renault's new R-Link multimedia tablet and the second generation of the R.S. Monitor.

It will go on sale in 26 countries that sadly fail to include ours. Its arrival in French dealerships is slated for June at a starting price of 36,000 euro ($46,445 US, taxes included), and it will be withdrawn from sale on September 30, 2013 to make good on its limited-edition promise. There's more on it in the press release and video below.

Continue reading Renault and Red Bull Racing team up for awesome sports Megane [w/video]

Renault and Red Bull Racing team up for awesome sports Megane [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 May 2013 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> infiniti red bull racingred bullred bull racingrenaultrenault meganerenault megane rs red bull racing rb8 Tue, 21 May 2013 16:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20578414/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20578414/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/21/renault-and-red-bull-racing-team-up-for-awesome-sports-megane/20578414/article-detail.xml 20578414 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/renault-megane-rb8_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/renault-megane-rb8.jpg <![CDATA[Daimler, Renault talking about large van joint venture]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/05/daimler-renault-talking-about-large-van-joint-venture/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/05/daimler-renault-talking-about-large-van-joint-venture/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/05/daimler-renault-talking-about-large-van-joint-venture/#comments Filed under: , , , ,



Daimler and Renault officially joined hands in April 2010. Since then, Nissan has agreed to build engines for the Germans, Daimler is expected to construct a plant near the Nissan plant in Mexico, the Smart ForFour and Renault Twingo will share platforms and electric siblings and the same Renault manufacturing facility, and Mercedes is supposedly considering a Renault-based X-Class vehicle to slot between Smart and the A-Class. Not bad for less than three years' work.

But wait, there's more. According to a report in Automotive News, the two firms are talking about developing a large van. When it comes to big cargo haulers, Mercedes is in bed with Volkswagen at the moment, but the contract has just three more years to run and VW has announced its intention to go solo on the next-generation van.

This wouldn't be the first commercial vehicle tie-up for the brands: Mercedes already uses the Renault Kangoo as the base for its Citan. Both Daimler and Renault have confirmed the talks, but have not confirmed a French newspaper report that the manufacturing site has already been chosen in France.

Daimler, Renault talking about large van joint venture originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 May 2013 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> daimlermercedesrenaultsprintervan Sun, 05 May 2013 13:19:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20557113/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20557113/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/05/daimler-renault-talking-about-large-van-joint-venture/20557113/article-detail.xml 20557113 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/mercedes-sprinter-2014_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/mercedes-sprinter-2014.jpg <![CDATA[Renault teases followup concept to Twin'Z]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/28/renault-teases-follow-up-concept-to-twinz/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/28/renault-teases-follow-up-concept-to-twinz/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/28/renault-teases-follow-up-concept-to-twinz/#comments Filed under: , ,



When amateur spy shots first surfaced of a little blue hatchback roaring down the streets of Madrid, we thought it might be a Renault 5 revival - the sky blue city car did have a big "5" written on its doors, after all. Turns out, though, that it is the TwinFun, followup to the recently unveiled Twin'Z and the final offering in Renault's six-stage concept car cycle.

Last year, Renault introduced the Alpine A110-50 concept at the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix; for 2013 it will be the TwinFun taking the spotlight. A three-sentence press release below tells us that it fulfills the 'play' brief in the "life-cycle design strategy." We just want to find out what kind of engine it's got that makes all that glorious noise.

Continue reading Renault teases followup concept to Twin'Z

Renault teases followup concept to Twin'Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> monaco grand prixrenaultrenault 5renault twinfunrenault twinfun conceptteaser Sun, 28 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20550275/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20550275/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/28/renault-teases-follow-up-concept-to-twinz/20550275/article-detail.xml 20550275 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/renault-twin-fun-concpet_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/renault-twin-fun-concpet.jpg <![CDATA[Twizy Renault Sport F1 is a racy EV that defies categorization]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/25/twizy-renault-sport-f1-is-a-racy-ev-that-defies-categorization/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/25/twizy-renault-sport-f1-is-a-racy-ev-that-defies-categorization/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/25/twizy-renault-sport-f1-is-a-racy-ev-that-defies-categorization/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

Twizy Renault Sport F1 concept - front three-quarter view

It recently came out that Porsche mulled a return to Formula One but chose a return to Le Mans instead, citing F1 technology's lack of relevance to its road cars. Well Porsche, take this: the Twizy Renault Sport F1 concept, "a bridge between the world of F1 technology and that of production cars." The French Formula One legend took a 17-horsepower electric Twizy and replaced the back seat with an 80-hp KERS unit, just like the ones it produces for its F1 customer teams. Then it added tires from a Formula 2 Renault and a steering wheel derived from a Formula 3.5 Renault, a front splitter, sidepods and open-wheeler mirrors. Yes, it's absurd - and by absurd we mean outstanding.

There are two KERS modes the driver can use, the first a Recovery mode that uses the Twizy's main 17-hp electric motor to recoup energy since the city car can't produce enough energy through braking to repower the KERS unit. The other is Boost mode, which allows a 13-second burst using the combined 97 horsepower available with the two motors. A single-seater-style rain light is affixed out back, and it illuminates when in Boost mode. The result is a Twizy that can dash from 0-60 miles per hour as quick as Renault's fastest car, the Megane Renaultsport 265, listed by Car magazine at six seconds. The Twizy's top speed in Boost mode climbs from 53 mph to 68 mph.

It will be shown at various events throughout the year, starting with the World Series by Renault race in Aragon, Spain on April 27 and 28. You can read all about it right now in the press release below.

Continue reading Twizy Renault Sport F1 is a racy EV that defies categorization

Twizy Renault Sport F1 is a racy EV that defies categorization originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> f1formula onekersrenaultrenault twizyrenaultsporttwizy renault sport f1 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20548990/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20548990/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/25/twizy-renault-sport-f1-is-a-racy-ev-that-defies-categorization/20548990/article-detail.xml 20548990 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/twizy-renault-sport-f1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/twizy-renault-sport-f1.jpg <![CDATA[Renault offers shadowy glimpse of F1-influenced electric car concept]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/renault-offers-shadowy-glimpse-of-f1-influenced-electric-car-con/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/renault-offers-shadowy-glimpse-of-f1-influenced-electric-car-con/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/renault-offers-shadowy-glimpse-of-f1-influenced-electric-car-con/#comments Filed under: , , ,

Renault mystery F1 EV teaser

Well, what have we here? Truth be told, we're not entirely sure. The teaser image above comes from Renault, and its contents are about as opaque as the message with which it arrives:

"This prototype vehicle, which features muscular styling and impressive performance credentials, provides a bridge between the world of Formula One and that of electric vehicles. It's a concept car that will make a lot of noise... but, in total silence."

So, the gist is that Renault is readying an EV concept influenced by F1. Beyond that, and the picture above displaying some of the car's electric drivetrain, we don't have much to go on. Fortunately, we won't have to wait long to find out what they are up to - the unnamed concept will be revealed in two days' time, on Thursday, April 25 at the company's plant in Valladolid, Spain.

Continue reading Renault offers shadowy glimpse of F1-influenced electric car concept

Renault offers shadowy glimpse of F1-influenced electric car concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> evf1formula 1formula onerenaultrenault conceptrenault evrenault f1valladolid Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:16:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20547549/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20547549/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/23/renault-offers-shadowy-glimpse-of-f1-influenced-electric-car-con/20547549/article-detail.xml 20547549 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/renault-f1-ev-concept-teaser_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/renault-f1-ev-concept-teaser.jpg <![CDATA[Race Recap: 2013 Bahrain Grand Prix follows the template of this year and last [spoilers]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/race-recap-2013-bahrain-grand-prix-follows-the-template-of-this/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/race-recap-2013-bahrain-grand-prix-follows-the-template-of-this/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/race-recap-2013-bahrain-grand-prix-follows-the-template-of-this/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , ,



The sand, the wind, the penalties, the contact and the one crash - all of them collided to make the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix a surprise affair from day to day and lap to lap. Oh, and did we mention the tires? Pirelli made a last-minute swap after the amusement park ride that the Chinese Grand Prix turned into with the soft compound tire, and brought medium and hard compounds to the desert. That didn't stop things from falling apart for some teams - literally - and that didn't stop the one team that seems to love the hard compound Pirelli tire.

Continue reading Race Recap: 2013 Bahrain Grand Prix follows the template of this year and last [spoilers]

Race Recap: 2013 Bahrain Grand Prix follows the template of this year and last [spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2013 bahrain grand prixbahrain grand prixf1fernando alonsoferrariformula onegrand prixinfinitiinfiniti red bull racingkimi raikkonenlewis hamiltonlotusred bullromain grosjeansebastian vettel Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20546744/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20546744/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/22/race-recap-2013-bahrain-grand-prix-follows-the-template-of-this/20546744/article-detail.xml 20546744 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/bgp1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/bgp1.jpg <![CDATA[Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept makes fast friends at Shanghai show]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/20/renault-alpine-a110-50-concept-shanghai-2013/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/20/renault-alpine-a110-50-concept-shanghai-2013/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/20/renault-alpine-a110-50-concept-shanghai-2013/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

Renault Alpin A110-50 Concept

Last year, Renault created the Alpine A110-50 Concept to mark the 50th anniversary of the original Renault A110, but we had to wait until this year's Shanghai Motor Show to see the stunning concept in person. First introduced in 1961, the A110 became a dominating force in the rally car circuit in the early 1970s, and the A110-50 Concept shows what a future version of the car could be - although there's still no official word if Renault plans to ever bring this car to production.

As a refresher, this concept pays homage to the classic A110 with its Alpine Blue paint job and hood-mounted foglights, but its wavy rear wing, scissor doors and curvaceous carbon fiber body are all modern cues. This concept gets its power from a mid-mounted 3.5-liter V6 producing 400 horsepower, which is controlled through a six-speed, dual-clutch gearbox. For more information on this concept (including a digital video of the car in motion) head on over to our previous post of the car from last year.

Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept makes fast friends at Shanghai show originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Apr 2013 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2013 shanghai motor showconcept carrenaultrenault alpine a110-50renault alpine a110-50 conceptshanghaishanghai motor show Sat, 20 Apr 2013 17:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20546167/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20546167/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/20/renault-alpine-a110-50-concept-shanghai-2013/20546167/article-detail.xml 20546167 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/renault-alpine-a10-50-concept-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/renault-alpine-a10-50-concept-628.jpg <![CDATA[Race Recap: 2013 Chinese Grand Prix a test of tires, carnage and a fight for second [spoilers]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/race-recap-2013-chinese-grand-prix-a-test-of-tires-carnage-and/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/race-recap-2013-chinese-grand-prix-a-test-of-tires-carnage-and/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/race-recap-2013-chinese-grand-prix-a-test-of-tires-carnage-and/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , ,



Formula One fans and commentators have spent the three weeks since the Malaysian Grand Prix discussing two things more than any other: that pass, and tires. Sebastian Vettel spent days giving his tongue an Olympic workout on the verbal gymnastics parallel bars before finally admitting he passed his Infiniti Red Bull teammate Mark Webber on purpose partly for reasons of payback, partly out of a desire to win - he doesn't apologize for it and he would do it again.

Then came those Pirellis - every single driver and team representative interview touches on how important it is to understand the tires and manage their degradation. Two races in, though, it seems no team has any clue yet how to make the race-weekend compounds work predictably. The only thing predictable about the soft compound tires that Pirelli brought to China was that they would last for six laps, and that led to an odd qualifying session with drivers reluctant to leave the pits or even set a time.

It also led to the first pole position for an Englishman in a Mercedes-Benz since Stirling Moss did it in 1955.

Continue reading Race Recap: 2013 Chinese Grand Prix a test of tires, carnage and a fight for second [spoilers]

Race Recap: 2013 Chinese Grand Prix a test of tires, carnage and a fight for second [spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2013 chinese grand prixchinese grand prixEsteban Gutierrezf1fernando alonsoforce indiaformula onegrand prixjenson buttonlewis hamiltonmclarenrenaultsaubersebastian vettelsergio perez Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20540353/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20540353/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/15/race-recap-2013-chinese-grand-prix-a-test-of-tires-carnage-and/20540353/article-detail.xml 20540353 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/china-f1-gp-1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/china-f1-gp-1.jpg <![CDATA[Renault Twin'Z concept revealed, Twingo replacement takes shape [w/video]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/renault-twinz-concept-revealed-twingo-replacement-takes-shape/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/renault-twinz-concept-revealed-twingo-replacement-takes-shape/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/renault-twinz-concept-revealed-twingo-replacement-takes-shape/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,



Renault teamed with Welsh designer Ross Lovegrove, known for his works inspired by nature, on the Twin'Z concept. The supermini city car is the fifth in Renault's six-stage concept cycle modeled on human stages of life, after the DeZir (Love), Captur (Exploration), R-Space (Family) and Frendzy (Work). The Twin'Z is all about play and spaciousness, an all-electric powertrain allowing a unfettered cockpit and rear-wheel drive athletics.

Inspired by the heritage of the Renault 5 (which might also be returning in concept form) and the Twingo, it has been introduced at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile di Milano, the annual furniture design showcase in Italy. The Twin'Z brief is to conjoin "the world of furniture and the automobile." On top of Renault's bodwork design, Lovegrove and his associates detailed the bumpers, LED light patterns throughout, wheels and interior.

That cabin is probably the most striking aspect for there being so little to it. Instead of an instrument panel - and storage, it appears - there is a smartphone near the steering column that displays crucial data and a tablet on a pedestal between the front seats with supplemental diagnostics. Occupants sit on carbon fiber seats wrapped in a woven textile, those in the rear will find the seats emerge from the Twin'Z's bodyshell.

The boggling interior gets an equally interesting LED lightscape inside and out. Starting at the grille, twin-line lights give the Twin'Z a face before waving, curlicuing and climbing over the roof, on every interior surface and down the rear glass to the taillights. Even the wheels receive the illuminated due, a green hue mimicking "intelligent growth structures."

There's a huge gallery of the Twin'Z for your enjoyment, and a detailed press release below with lots of words to please your inner organic-inclined aesthete just below. As we saw with the Captur concept becoming the Captur production CUV, this little velveteen blue showcase could offer clues to the coming Twingo.

Continue reading Renault Twin'Z concept revealed, Twingo replacement takes shape [w/video]

Renault Twin'Z concept revealed, Twingo replacement takes shape [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> conceptconcept carrenaultrenault twinzrenault twinz conceptross lovegrove Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20534678/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20534678/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/09/renault-twinz-concept-revealed-twingo-replacement-takes-shape/20534678/article-detail.xml 20534678 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/renault-twinz_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/renault-twinz.jpg <![CDATA[Ecclestone wonders if F1's upcoming turbo V6s should get augmented sound [w/videos]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/ecclestone-wonders-if-f1s-upcoming-turbo-v6s-should-get-augment/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/ecclestone-wonders-if-f1s-upcoming-turbo-v6s-should-get-augment/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/ecclestone-wonders-if-f1s-upcoming-turbo-v6s-should-get-augment/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

Renault's 2014 Formula One engine - standalone view

While every team on the Formula One grid is worried about making a good showing in this year's championship at the same time as they develop a brand-new car for next year's championship, Bernie Ecclestone and F1 circuit promoters have a different concern: how next year's cars will sound. The current cars use 2.4-liter, naturally-aspirated V8s that can reach 18,000 revolutions per minute and employ dual exhaust, next year's engine formula calls for 1.6-liter turbocharged V6s that are capped at 15,000 rpm and are constrained to a single exhaust outlet. Ecclestone and promoters like Ron Walker believe the new engines sound like lawnmowers and that the less thrilling audio will keep people from coming to races. If Walker's Australian Grand Prix really is shelling out almost $57 million to hold the race, every ticket counts. As a fix, according to a report in Autoweek, Ecclestone "suggests that the only way to guarantee [a good sound] may be to artificially adjust the tone of the V6s."

However, neither the manufacturers nor the governing body of F1, the FIA, think there will be a problem. Ecclestone fears that if the manufacturers "don't get it right" they'll simply leave the sport, but the only three carmakers and engine builders left next year, Renault (its 2014 "power unit" is pictured), Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari are so embedded that it would stretch belief to think they'd leave the table over an audio hiccup - if said hiccup even occurs. And frankly, these issues always precede changes to engine formulas, as they did when the formula switched from V10 to V8; fans, though, are probably less focused on the engines and more on the mandated standardization of the sport and the spec-series overtones that have come with it.

No one knows yet what next year's engines will sound like, but we've assembled a few videos below to help us all start guessing. The first is an engine check on an Eighties-era John Player Special Renault with a 1.5-liter V6 turbo, after that is Ayrton Senna qualifying in 1986 in the Lotus 98T that also had a 1.5-liter V6 turbo, then you'll find a short with a manufactured range of potential V6 engine notes, and then the sound of turbocharged V6 Indycars testing last year at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Any, or none of them, could be Formula One's future.

Continue reading Ecclestone wonders if F1's upcoming turbo V6s should get augmented sound [w/videos]

Ecclestone wonders if F1's upcoming turbo V6s should get augmented sound [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 1.6-liter turbo2014 formula one enginesbernie ecclestoneecclestonef1ferrariformula 1formula onemercedes-benzrenaultv6 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20532882/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20532882/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/08/ecclestone-wonders-if-f1s-upcoming-turbo-v6s-should-get-augment/20532882/article-detail.xml 20532882 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/renaultf12014_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/renaultf12014.jpg <![CDATA[Renault A-110 revival also planned in... Mexico?]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/renault-a-110-revival-also-planned-in-mexico/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/renault-a-110-revival-also-planned-in-mexico/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/renault-a-110-revival-also-planned-in-mexico/#comments Filed under: , , ,



Bulgaria, Brazil and Mexico were three of the countries licensed to build the Alpine A110 under license in the sixties and seventies. With the revival of the former Renault rally racing brand, Mexico, whose Dinalpin sold the earlier iteration, wants to do it again - but this time with no connection to the parent company. It's called Project SST-77 and it is being headed by Miguel Jimenez, with the aims of developing a "low capacity, low weight, agile, high performance" sports car.

The ultimate plan is to put a new fiberglass body designed by Alejandro Castañeda on top of a chassis being laid out by Mexican Auto Design, headquartered in the same city where Dinalpin fabricated Alpines decades ago. There's no timeline and no other details about what's going into the project, but we'll keep an eye out for any updates.

Renault A-110 revival also planned in... Mexico? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> alejandro castanedaalpinealpine 110dinalpinmexican auto designmexicomiguel jimenezproject sst-77renaultsst-77 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20532275/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20532275/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/08/renault-a-110-revival-also-planned-in-mexico/20532275/article-detail.xml 20532275 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/dinalpin-sst-77-project_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/dinalpin-sst-77-project.jpg <![CDATA[Renault sells French sex appeal with stripped-down dancers, 'va va voom' button]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/renault-sells-french-sex-appeal-with-stripped-down-dancers-va/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/renault-sells-french-sex-appeal-with-stripped-down-dancers-va/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/renault-sells-french-sex-appeal-with-stripped-down-dancers-va/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

2013 Renault Clio

This commercial starts off quietly enough, with some potential customers arriving at a Renault dealership in England for a test drive of the new Clio compact with a salesman. The drive route takes them to a nondescript intersection where the customer is told to try out the "Va Va Voom" button, and that's where the Frenchy action begins when a pop-up theatrical production materializes around the car, with everything from baguette-selling cart pushers to young lovers in the crosswalk to burlesque dancers putting on a show.

And in case beautiful women strutting around in lingerie isn't really your thing, there's a more dude-centric version below, too. You can check them both out by scrolling below, but be aware, the vids might be Not Safe For Work.

Continue reading Renault sells French sex appeal with stripped-down dancers, 'va va voom' button

Renault sells French sex appeal with stripped-down dancers, 'va va voom' button originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2013 renault clioburlesquecliocommercialnsfwrenaultrenault cliorenault commercialva va voomvideo Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20523296/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20523296/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/29/renault-sells-french-sex-appeal-with-stripped-down-dancers-va/20523296/article-detail.xml 20523296 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/cliova-va-voombutton_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/cliova-va-voombutton.jpg <![CDATA[Evidence of Renault 5 revival discovered during commercial shoot]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/evidence-of-renault-5-revival-discovered-during-commercial-shoot/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/evidence-of-renault-5-revival-discovered-during-commercial-shoot/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/evidence-of-renault-5-revival-discovered-during-commercial-shoot/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , , ,

Mystery Renault concept caught on camera phone - video screencap

Mystery Renault concept caught on camera phone - video screencapRenault has exceptional plans for this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, bringing six classic cars, four Formula One cars from this year's season and three current offerings. It will also be showing off two brand-new concepts, one of them gasoline-powered and another that's purely electric, and it's possible that the ICE concept has been spotted in Madrid on a video shoot. If so, it would be appear to be a fresh take on the Eighties-era Renault 5 that would look very nice next to the 1984 Renault 5 Maxi that will be at Goodwood.

Some Spaniards with camera phones caught a little blue Renault hatchback with a number "5" on its flanks and a giant wing hanging off the back. Renault has to have expected someone to catch it in photos, not because it was working with a camera truck but because it was doing donuts in an intersection and spitting out a murderous exhaust note. It might actually have nothing to do with the Goodwood concepts, but the coincidence of a classic Renault 5 showing up in England does provide a potential connection.

Elsewhere in the stand from July 11 to 14 Renault will have a 1920 Renault Type K, a 1926 Renault 40CV, the first turbocharged F1 car, the 1978 RS01, the Alpine that won Le Mans in 1978 and a Groupe 5 Alpine A310 rally car, Kimi Räikkönen's Australian F1 Grand Prix-winning Lotus E21, the Red Bull RB9, Caterham CT03 and Williams FW35. Among current offerings will be the Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo EDC, Captur crossover and all-electric Zoe. Find out more about all of them in the two videos and the press release below.

Continue reading Evidence of Renault 5 revival discovered during commercial shoot

Evidence of Renault 5 revival discovered during commercial shoot originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Mar 2013 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> concept cargoodwoodgoodwood festival of speedmotorsportsrenaultrenault 5spy photosspy shots Fri, 29 Mar 2013 11:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20522523/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20522523/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/29/evidence-of-renault-5-revival-discovered-during-commercial-shoot/20522523/article-detail.xml 20522523 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/renault5vid_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/renault5vid.jpg <![CDATA[Renault's planned luxury sub-brand gets reconsidered]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/renaults-planned-luxury-sub-brand-gets-reconsidered/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/renaults-planned-luxury-sub-brand-gets-reconsidered/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/renaults-planned-luxury-sub-brand-gets-reconsidered/#comments Filed under: , , ,



Renault believes there's enough Alpine love to restart that brand with its own model almost immediately. The launch of the Initiale Paris luxury brand it's been mulling, on the other hand, will be more restrained: a report in Autocar says that instead of launching with a first model based on the Mercedes E-Class architecture, Renault is going to introduce an Initiale Paris trim line on the new Clio and Espace. More accurately, that should be 're-introduce and aggressively market,' since Renault has used an Initiale Paris trim over the years since it introduced the concept car (pictured) in 1995, even as recently as the current-generation Laguna Coupe.

Other models will be added after the Clio and Espace, and when Renault can assess what kind of future the trim has, it will decide on the launch of a subsidiary brand. Company CEO Carlos Tavares said we shouldn't hang around waiting for a decision, though, declaring that establishing such a brand - if it even comes to that - "will be a job for at least my successor to worry about, not me."

Renault's planned luxury sub-brand gets reconsidered originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Mar 2013 08:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> alpinecarlos tavaresghosninitiale parisnissanrenaultrenault-nissan alliancetavares Fri, 29 Mar 2013 08:44:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20518353/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20518353/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/29/renaults-planned-luxury-sub-brand-gets-reconsidered/20518353/article-detail.xml 20518353 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/initialeparistrim_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/initialeparistrim.jpg <![CDATA[Alpine unveils N36 LMP2 car that will race in 24 Hours of Le Mans]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/25/alpine-unveils-n36-lmp2-car-that-will-race-in-24-hours-of-le-man/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/25/alpine-unveils-n36-lmp2-car-that-will-race-in-24-hours-of-le-man/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/25/alpine-unveils-n36-lmp2-car-that-will-race-in-24-hours-of-le-man/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

Alpine N36 LMP2 racecar - profile studio shot

This is the Alpine LMP2 competitor you'll see contesting European endurance races this year, including The 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. Parent company Renault showed off the N36 racer at its atelier in Paris, the blue and orange a switch from the yellow, black and white livery Alpine wore last time it was seen in Le Mans way back in 1978 when it won the race.

The team will be run by Signatech-Nissan and the chassis will be powered by a Nissan engine. Nelson Panciatici and Pierre Ragues will contest World Endurance Championship rounds throughout the year, they'll be joined by endurance and IndyCar veteran Tristan Gommendy for Le Mans and Paul-Loup Chatin as the team's reserve driver.

The Alpine N36 will get into its first test this week at Paul Ricard, then experience its first racing miles at the European Le Mans Series round at Silverstone on April 13. The press release below has the full scoop, the photos above have the past and present in high-res glory.

Continue reading Alpine unveils N36 LMP2 car that will race in 24 Hours of Le Mans

Alpine unveils N36 LMP2 car that will race in 24 Hours of Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Mar 2013 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 24 hours of le mansalpineeuropean le mans seriesle manslmp2motorsportsnissanrenaultworld endurance championship Mon, 25 Mar 2013 10:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20515083/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20515083/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/25/alpine-unveils-n36-lmp2-car-that-will-race-in-24-hours-of-le-man/20515083/article-detail.xml 20515083 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/alpinen36le-manslmp1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/alpinen36le-manslmp1.jpg <![CDATA[Renault teases new Ross Lovegrove-influenced concept car]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/20/renault-teases-new-ross-lovegrove-influenced-concept-car/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/20/renault-teases-new-ross-lovegrove-influenced-concept-car/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/20/renault-teases-new-ross-lovegrove-influenced-concept-car/#comments Filed under: , , ,



Renault has teamed up with British designer Ross Lovegrove to create a new concept car that hints at the future styling direction for the French automaker. The yet-to-be-named car will be unveiled at the Triennale of Milan on April 8, and it will be on display unit the 14th.

Although the automaker has not released any details about the car, it did say that the concept's design has been heavily influenced by elements of nature. This includes details like the ripples in some of the body components and branch-like features on the wheels and what appears to be either a fog light or a speaker grille. Sounds interesting, and we'll know soon enough how the whole package will take shape.

Scroll down for the official press release.

Continue reading Renault teases new Ross Lovegrove-influenced concept car

Renault teases new Ross Lovegrove-influenced concept car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Mar 2013 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> concept vehiclerenaultrenault concept vehicleross lovegrovetriennale of milan Wed, 20 Mar 2013 08:26:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20510280/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20510280/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/20/renault-teases-new-ross-lovegrove-influenced-concept-car/20510280/article-detail.xml 20510280 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/renault-ross-lovegrove-concept_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/renault-ross-lovegrove-concept.jpg <![CDATA[Renault taking Alpine endurance racing, enters 24 Hours of Le Mans]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/10/renault-taking-alpine-endurance-racing-enters-24-hours-of-le-ma/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/10/renault-taking-alpine-endurance-racing-enters-24-hours-of-le-ma/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/10/renault-taking-alpine-endurance-racing-enters-24-hours-of-le-ma/#comments Filed under: , ,



Renault isn't letting up with the return of its Alpine brand. After announcing a partnership with Caterham to bring a new Alpine to market by 2015 (now expected by 2016), the French firm has announced it is taking Alpine racing again in the European Le Mans Series this year - and that includes The 24 Hours of Le Mans.

It has been 35 years since Alpine last competed in Le Mans, when it won the race outright and dropped the mic as it left the pits, never to return. Before that, in the 11 years it campaigned in the most famous endurance race on the planet from 1963 to 1978, it took seven class wins.

Caterham won't be involved with the race team, however; that will be an effort spearheaded by the Signatech-Nissan team that has been running GT Academy winners in LMS racing. Alpine is preparing an LMP2 chassis that will get a 500-horsepower Nissan engine for this year's championship, with the first two named drivers being Nelson Panciatici (above right) and Pierre Ragues (above left). The third driver for Le Mans will be announced later this month when the racer is launched at the Le Castellet race track in southern France.

The press release below has more details, and prepare yourself now for a chant that hasn't been heard since Valéry Giscard d'Estaing was president of the republic: "Allez Alpine!"

Continue reading Renault taking Alpine endurance racing, enters 24 Hours of Le Mans

Renault taking Alpine endurance racing, enters 24 Hours of Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Mar 2013 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 24 hours of le mansalpineendurance racingeuropean le mans seriesle manslmp2lmsmotorsportsNelson PanciaticinissanPierre Raguesrenaultsignatech Sun, 10 Mar 2013 15:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20496122/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20496122/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/10/renault-taking-alpine-endurance-racing-enters-24-hours-of-le-ma/20496122/article-detail.xml 20496122 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/alpinele-mans_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/alpinele-mans.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Renault Captur features zip-off seat covers, crisper drawer glovebox [w/videos]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/06/2013-renault-captur-videos-geneva-2013/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/06/2013-renault-captur-videos-geneva-2013/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/06/2013-renault-captur-videos-geneva-2013/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

2013 Renault Captur live from Geneva Motor Show

Evidently, Renault's executives in France have not been content to sit idly by as their alliance partners at Nissan have happily mopped up enviable global sales totals with their Juke crossover. We've been hearing about an answer from Renault for some time now, and the production Captur is finally a reality at the Geneva Motor Show.

Packing what it says is the styling and driving position of an SUV, the configurable interior of a minivan and the driving verve of a small sedan, the Captur is hoping to become a big-volume player in Europe's mushrooming small CUV class that also includes cars like the Škoda Yeti. Less boxy than its Czech rival, the Captur's fluid styling is also unlikely to furrow as many brows and wrinkle as many noses as the love/hate Juke. And taking a page from the Mini playbook, Captur will offer a contrasting roof paint color to increase personalization possibilities. Even if it lacks some of the visual charisma (and the butterfly doors) of the 2011 Captur concept, we think it's a very handsome package overall, one we wouldn't mind seeing in North America.

Clever details abound in the interior - check out the videos below - including a large crisper-drawer-like glovebox and trick washable seat covers that zip off and can be changed depending on one's mood.

Renault hasn't spilled all the details yet on the Captur's powertrains - or even indicated whether all-wheel drive will be available - but it has confided that both gas and diesel engines will be offered.

Continue reading 2013 Renault Captur features zip-off seat covers, crisper drawer glovebox [w/videos]

2013 Renault Captur features zip-off seat covers, crisper drawer glovebox [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2013 renault capturcapturgenevageneva 2013geneva motor showrenaultvideo Wed, 06 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20490614/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20490614/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/06/2013-renault-captur-videos-geneva-2013/20490614/article-detail.xml 20490614 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/2013-renault-captur-geneva_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/2013-renault-captur-geneva.jpg <![CDATA[Renault Scénic minivan crosses over with new Xmod variant]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/06/renault-scenic-minivan-crosses-over-with-new-xmod-variant/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/06/renault-scenic-minivan-crosses-over-with-new-xmod-variant/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/06/renault-scenic-minivan-crosses-over-with-new-xmod-variant/#comments Filed under: , , ,

Renault Scénic Xmod - front three-quarter view

Renault has given us all the goods on its newest crossover, the Scénic Xmod, one month in advance of the vehicle's world debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The Xmod seeks to punch up the Scénic line of small MPVs with all-wheel drive and slightly butched up looks. (It's a formula that has panned out well for the French automaker before, with the likes of the Scénic RX4 and Scénic Conquest, for what it's worth.)

Visually, the Xmod takes us on a trip to crossover land, with increased ride height, beefier front and rear bumpers, side sill guards and a pair of utile, chrome-finished roof bars. Special alloy wheels and a set of LED daytime running lights complete the visual package.

Renault is also touting the use of its new Grip Xtend traction control system that includes a driver-adjustable knob to tailor the traction control to different surfaces, but the model is not available with all-wheel drive.

Scroll down to read all of the details about the Scénic Xmod in Renault's official press release below, and stay tuned for March when our Geneva team will bring you even more on the new minivan-turned-crossover.

Continue reading Renault Scénic minivan crosses over with new Xmod variant

Renault Scénic minivan crosses over with new Xmod variant originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Feb 2013 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2013 renault scenic xmodfrench carsgenevageneva 2013geneva motor showrenaultscénicscénic xmodscenicxmod Wed, 06 Feb 2013 18:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20449271/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20449271/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/06/renault-scenic-minivan-crosses-over-with-new-xmod-variant/20449271/article-detail.xml 20449271 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/renault-scenic-xmod-628-2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/renault-scenic-xmod-628-2.jpg -1 2