Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Serious automotive testing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/funny-car-commercial-of-the-day-serious-automotive-testing/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/funny-car-commercial-of-the-day-serious-automotive-testing/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/funny-car-commercial-of-the-day-serious-automotive-testing/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Serious automotive testing - Click above to watch the video after the break

These days, cars and trucks need to pass a slew of strict testing procedures before they can be certified for sale. Included among these procedures are tests for safety, emissions, performance and reliability. Though they're surely a hassle for automakers and one reason it's so difficult to bring a new model to market, these tests are also why today's cars are better than they've ever been before.

Apparently, things are done a little differently in Europe. While we might have guessed that today's Funny Car Commercial was made by Citroen - quite possibly the quirkiest automaker in existence - the advertisement is actually from French automaker Renault. Though the ad says it's "99% Serious," we kinda think they've got it backwards. Click past the break to see what we mean, and check out veryfunnyads.com for more hilarious car commercials from around the world.

[Source: veryfunnyads.com]

Continue reading Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Serious automotive testing

Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Serious automotive testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>funny carfunny car commercialfunny car commercial of the dayfunny car commercialsfunny commercialfunny commercialsFunnyCarFunnyCarCommercialFunnyCarCommercialOfTheDayFunnyCarCommercialsFunnyCommercialFunnyCommercialsRenault Twingorenault twingo adRenaultTwingoRenaultTwingoAdvery funnyvery funny advery funny adsVeryFunnyVeryFunnyAdVeryFunnyAdsTue, 10 Nov 2009 16:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Lazareth creates mid-mounted, Range Rover V8-powered Renault Twingo Trophy [*w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/lazareth-creates-mid-mounted-range-rover-v8-powered-renault-twi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/lazareth-creates-mid-mounted-range-rover-v8-powered-renault-twi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/lazareth-creates-mid-mounted-range-rover-v8-powered-renault-twi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

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]]>LazarethLazareth TwingoLazareth Twingo TrophyLazarethTwingoLazarethTwingoTrophyRange RoverRange Rover V8RangeRoverRangeRoverV8RenaultRenault TwingoRenault Twingo TrophyRenaultTwingoRenaultTwingoTrophyTwingoTwingo TrophyTwingoTrophyMon, 26 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Renaultsport launches hardcore Twingo 133 Cup]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/renaultsport-launches-hardcore-twingo-133-cup/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/renaultsport-launches-hardcore-twingo-133-cup/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/renaultsport-launches-hardcore-twingo-133-cup/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Renault Twingo RS 133 Cup - Click above for high-res image gallery

Hot hatch enthusiasts the world over know that Renault makes some of the best in the business. The Clio Renaultsport, in its various iterations, has a strong following, as does the Megane RS. And with the current iteration of the Twingo, the French automaker has applied its winning formula to a smaller package. Launched a little over a year ago, the Twingo RS packs a 133 horsepower, 1.6-liter 16-valve four-cylinder. And while that may not seem like much, according to accounts from overseas, the little pocket rocket packs quite a punch. Now the boffins at Renaultsport have released an even more hardcore version.

Like the Clio 200 Cup, the Twingo 133 Cup does away with some of the frivolities - stuff like air-con, automatic headlights and independent adjustability for the rear seats - preferring instead to focus on being a tarmac-muncher in a compact package. But the Cup approach doesn't just delete, it also adds: the Cup suspension, already available on the equipped Twingo RS, features 10% stiffer springs, a 4 mm reduced ride height and 17-inch alloys on Continental Sport Contact3 rubber. Black and white trim is also available for a more track-focused look. But the best part about Renaultsport's Cup packages? They actually cost less than the heftier versions: £1,350 (over $2k) less, in this case, than a full-fat Twingo RS with the Cup suspension. Details in the press release after the jump and photos in the gallery below.


Gallery: Renault Twingo RS 133 Cup


Gallery: Renault Twingo Renault Sport


[Source: Renault]

Continue reading Renaultsport launches hardcore Twingo 133 Cup

Renaultsport launches hardcore Twingo 133 Cup originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>renaultrenault sportrenault twingorenault twingo rsrenault twingo rs 133renault twingo rs 133 cupRenaultSportrenaultsport twingo 133 cuprenaultsport twingo cupRenaultsportTwingo133CupRenaultsportTwingoCupRenaultTwingoRenaultTwingoRsRenaultTwingoRs133RenaultTwingoRs133Cuptwingotwingo cuptwingo renault sporttwingo rsTwingoCupTwingoRenaultSportTwingoRsWed, 30 Sep 2009 10:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Renault working on Twingo roadster?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/08/renault-working-on-twingo-roadster/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/08/renault-working-on-twingo-roadster/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/08/renault-working-on-twingo-roadster/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Those who mourned the passing of the Smart Roadster may be interested by the reports that Renault is preparing to launch a tiny convertible of its own. The diminutive spider is tipped to be based on the existing Renault Twingo, and feature a manual targa-style deployable roof that can be stowed in the trunk.

The Smart Roadster was never a market success, largely because it was too expensive to build and therefore too expensive to buy. But if the reports are to be believed, Renault is learning from Smart's mistakes and is targeting the affordable Nissan Micra C+C, Opel/Vauxhall Tigra and Peugeot 207 CC for the Twingo convertible's pricing. Sources indicate that the little roadster could bow in Frankfurt in 2010 - only that year's show will actually be held in Renault's home-base of Paris.

[Source: AutoInternationaal via ABG]

Renault working on Twingo roadster? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>renaultrenault convertiblerenault twingorenault twingo cabriorenault twingo convertiblerenault twingo roadsterrenault twingo spiderrenault twingo spyderrenault twingo targaRenaultConvertibleRenaultTwingoRenaultTwingoCabrioRenaultTwingoConvertibleRenaultTwingoRoadsterRenaultTwingoSpiderRenaultTwingoSpyderRenaultTwingoTargatwingoThu, 08 Jan 2009 15:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Pics & Details Aplenty: Renault Twingo RS]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/pics-and-details-aplenty-renault-twingo-rs/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/pics-and-details-aplenty-renault-twingo-rs/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/pics-and-details-aplenty-renault-twingo-rs/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for hi-res gallery of the Twingo Renault Sport

After its initial unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show this past March, Renault has finally released full details - including pricing, equipment, and a whole $h!tload of new photos - of the new Twingo Renault Sport. Following the great line of eminently chuckable sport hatches from the French automaker - including the current Clio and Megane Renault Sport models - the Twingo Renault Sport upgrades the existing range-topping Twingo GT with a host of performance-oriented equipment inside, outside and underneath. Power comes from a 133-hp 1.6-liter 16-valve four-banger, and the Twingo RS comes right out of the gate with a choice of two chassis set-ups: Sport and Cup. The latter tightens up the suspension, cuts out 17 kg of weight and offers 17-inch dark anthracite wheels.

You'll recall that while its on-track rivals like Ferrari and McLaren turn their F1 know-how into six-figure supercars, Renault transfers its into sport hatches like this one. Renault Sport's latest offering will sell for just €15,601 in its home market, but includes a special bonus usually reserved for cars ten times its price. For a nominal fee of €1, Renault Sport Technologies is throwing in tutelage in its advanced driving course to show each new owner how to get the most out of their finely-tuned little chassis.

Follow the jump to get the full skinny on the little hatchback that could, and check out the hundred new images joining our live shots in the gallery below.

Gallery: Renault Twingo Renault Sport

[Source: Renault]

Continue reading Pics & Details Aplenty: Renault Twingo RS

Pics & Details Aplenty: Renault Twingo RS originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>renaultrenault sportrenault sport twingorenault twingorenault twingo renault sportrenault twingo rsRenaultSportRenaultSportTwingoRenaultTwingoRenaultTwingoRenaultSportRenaultTwingoRsrstwingotwingo renault sporttwingo rsTwingoRenaultSportTwingoRsMon, 25 Aug 2008 15:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Stunt driver spins Renault Twingo into world record books]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/16/stuntdriver-spins-renault-twingo-into-world-record-books/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/16/stuntdriver-spins-renault-twingo-into-world-record-books/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/16/stuntdriver-spins-renault-twingo-into-world-record-books/#commentsFiled under: ,



You know that stunt in the movies where a car drives through some impossibly narrow alley? Or how about the one where a car is drifted into a parallel parking spot at high speed? Those are tough stunts for sure, but how about spinning a car lengthwise through two barriers that are just 18 centimeters longer than the car you're driving? That's what the obviously-very-good stunt driver Terry Grant did this past weekend at the Live Action Arena of the Autosport International Show in the UK.

Grant was performing various stunts all weekend long, but this one in particular landed him his 16th Guiness World Record. The way it was done had Grant reversing the car and swinging the front end around while passing through two barriers. It was attempted numerous times and each time the barriers were moved closer, which meant he continually kept breaking his own record. The final record-setting attempt had the barriers set just 378 centimeters apart. The diagonal length of the Twingo is only 370 centimeters, which meant he had 4 centimers on either end of the car to get it through unscathed. It's an impressive stunt, to say the least, and we'll probably see recreated in a Bourne movie one day. Thanks for the tip, Kevin!

[Source: carandsuv.co.nz]

Stunt driver spins Renault Twingo into world record books originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>guiness world recordGuinessWorldRecordrenault twingoRenaultTwingoterry grantTerryGranttwingo guinesstwingo world recordTwingoGuinessTwingoWorldRecordWed, 16 Jan 2008 17:04:00 EST<![CDATA[New Twingo's dash features rubber grass]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/new-twingos-dash-features-rubber-grass/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/new-twingos-dash-features-rubber-grass/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/new-twingos-dash-features-rubber-grass/#commentsFiled under: ,


click above image for high-res version

We're filing this under "Wish I'd thought of that."

Renault, in its redesigned Twingo (appropriately named New Twingo), is offering an option it calls "Grass-mat" dashboard trim. Essentially, it's a toothbrush turned bristles-up that holds all those gadgets we love so dear in our cars. The rubber fingers sit in a divot in front of the steering wheel, looking much like an abnormally blue sea anemone ready to coddle your Nemo-like iPod in motionless safety. No more digging under the seat for the phone that went flying in turn three, no unsightly Velcro on dash and phone, no more mining the seats for change at the toll booth. Genius.

Click on the above photo (or here) for an up-close, high-res look at the Renault's rubber grass, and click here to see what a New Twingo looks like.

Thanks for the tip, James!

[Source: T3]

New Twingo's dash features rubber grass originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Mar 2007 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>automotive gadget holderautomotive gadgetsAutomotiveGadgetHolderAutomotiveGadgetscar gadgetsCarGadgetsgadgetgadget holderGadgetHoldergrass-matnew twingo gadget holdernew twingo gadgetsnew twingo grass matNewTwingoGadgetHolderNewTwingoGadgetsNewTwingoGrassMatrenaultrenault new twingorenault new twingo grassrenault new twingo grass matrenault new twingo grass-matrenault new twingo rubber grassrenault twingoRenaultNewTwingoRenaultNewTwingoGrassRenaultNewTwingoGrass-matRenaultNewTwingoGrassMatRenaultNewTwingoRubberGrassRenaultTwingotwingotwingo gadgetstwingo grass matTwingoGadgetsTwingoGrassMatWed, 14 Mar 2007 17:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Renault's new Twingo will be very close to concept]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/04/renaults-new-twingo-will-be-very-close-to-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/04/renaults-new-twingo-will-be-very-close-to-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/04/renaults-new-twingo-will-be-very-close-to-concept/#commentsFiled under: , ,



As we guessed when we saw it in Paris a few months ago, the concept Twingo that Renault showed was a bit flashier than what we expect the production version to be. What we didn't guess was how little changed it might end up being. Thanks to the artist rendering from What Car? above left, we can see that the production Twingo will likely look much like the concept at right. The side skirts and wheel arches have been dropped, and the front fascia toned down a bit. It definitely loses a bit of the sportiness of the show car, but still manages to look refined and fun.

We're not sure if the cool features like the frameless door glass or panoramic roof will make the jump to the street though, and the rest of the interior features are likely to differ from the concept, as well. In the concept, four bucket seats surrounded a center console that housed docks for electronic gadgets and an auxiliary USB port. The instrument pod was center-mounted, too. The concept also showed a TV and internet-enabled car PC. One thing we're fairly confident about though is that the production Twingo will be powered by a 100-hp, 1.2-liter turbo four that should make this supermini quite zippy.

[Source: What Car?]

Renault's new Twingo will be very close to concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Jan 2007 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Renault TwingoRenaultTwingoThu, 04 Jan 2007 16:02:00 EST