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Renault Alpine A110-50 concept does its papa proud

Zach Bowman — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Europe, Renault, Design/Style

Renault has officially released details on its Alpine A110-50 Concept. Designed to pay homage to the original Alpine A110, the machine wears a body crafted from carbon fiber and dipped in a shade of the same iconic Alpine Blue we all know and love. Up front, designers worked in a set of half-ring yellow LED lights reminiscent of the hood-mounted fog lights found on the original. That's pretty much where the similarities end, however. Based loosely on the crushingly-sexy Renault Dezir Concept, the new machine boasts proud fender arches, a wild split-wing rear spoiler and scissor doors.

As we'd heard before, the A110-50 Concept rolls on the same chassis as the Megane Trophy, complete with adjustable Sachs dampers, 21-inch wheels and the notable absences of on-board nannies like ABS or traction control. Hefty 14-inch front brake discs are pressed by six-piston calipers, while the 13-inch discs out back make due with four-piston units.

Renault placed a 3.5-liter V6 mid-ship with a full 400 horsepower on hand. A roof mounted-intake funnels air from outside the engine bay into the machine's carbon-fiber intake. Meanwhile, a dual-clutch six-speed gearbox allows the driver the choice of disengaging the transmission via a floor-mounted clutch pedal or shifting via steering-wheel mounted paddles.

Scroll down to check out the full press release as well as a couple videos.

Continue reading Renault Alpine A110-50 concept does its papa proud

Renault Alpine A110-50 concept does its papa proud originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 May 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renaultsport to get its own dedicated roadster?

Noah Joseph — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Renault

Renault DeZir Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Most European automakers have their own dedicated performance division. What separates a line within the automaker's range from a stand-alone brand, however, is the production of its own unique models. AMG, for example, straddled the divide with the SLS, which doesn't exist as a non-AMG version, but is still labeled as a Mercedes-Benz. BMW's M division, on the other hand, only produces tweaked versions of the company's regular production models. Abarth has long been rumored to get its own roadster model, separate from Fiat's range. But if the latest reports from across the pond prove accurate, Renaultsport could beat them to the punch.

Renault had been toying with the idea of reviving the old Alpine name with a dedicated sportscar, but word is that those plans have been scrapped in favor of a Renaultsport roadster. The French automaker's motorsport and tuning division (ironically based at the old Alpine factory) is well known for its hot hatches, and previously produced the Spider as its own model some 15 years ago.

Rumor has it that the Renaultsport Spider's successor could essentially be a production version of the DeZir concept (pictured above) that previewed Renault's new design language last year at the Paris salon. It may be too early to tell if the production version would retain the concept's electric drivetrain or go with one of the tuned gasoline or diesel engines from one of the division's existing models, but a limited production run could be in the cards, and could lead to one or two more dedicated Renaultsport models as well. For our part, we can only hope the plans come to fruition, and that maybe a Nissan version might make it to these shores as well.

Gallery: Renault DeZir concept

[Source: Autocar]

Renaultsport to get its own dedicated roadster? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: Renault Dezir concept is wild, twisted beauty

Zach Bowman — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Europe, Technology, Paris Motor Show, Renault, Design/Style, Electric

Renault Dezir concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Don't let anyone tell you that Renault can't do a concept car. The French manufacturer pulled the sheets back on its all-electric Dezir at this year's Paris Motor Show, and the concept is as sexy as it is absurd. Designers took a stab in an all-new direction with a pair of reverse-hinged butterfly doors that are the epitome of awesome. Likewise, the ultra-wide stance and aluminum sideblades are our kind of flashy. As you might expect, this concept makes use of a fittingly-futuristic powertrain. Renault says that under all of that curvy sheet metal there's a full EV drivetrain on hand.

Surprisingly enough, there isn't supercar-rivaling power on hand, though. The company puts the Dezir final horsepower figure at around 150 ponies and 166 pound-feet of torque - not exactly e-tron rivaling numbers. Even so, the concept is said to be able to dart to around 60 mph in just shy of five seconds. Check it out in our high-res image galleries below.

Gallery: Paris 2010: Renault Dezir Concept

Gallery: Renault Dezir Concept

Live photos by Drew Phillips, Zach Bowman / AOL

Paris 2010: Renault Dezir concept is wild, twisted beauty originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault DeZir concept caught on the streets of Paris

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Europe, Renault, Electric

Renault DeZir Concept on location - Click above for high-res image gallery

Autoblog reader Jason Wright happened upon this scarlet creature, the electric Renault DeZir concept, cruising the streets of Paris. As the spear-tip guiding the way forward for future Renault design, the DeZir is the first statement made by design vice president Laurens van den Acker - perhaps a Frenchified version of the now-dead Nagare styling. Renault calls it 'simple', 'sensuous' and 'warm.' Posit your own thoughts after checking it out in the gallery of high-res photos below. Hat tip to Jason

Gallery: Renault DeZir concept in Paris

Renault DeZir concept caught on the streets of Paris originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Preview: Renault DeZir concept signals new styling direction

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 10:15:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Paris Motor Show, Renault, Electric

Renault DeZir Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Renault's home auto show in Paris this Fall will mark the beginning of a new styling direction for the brand, and that means a new concept car. The DeZir is the first major project under new design vice president Laurens van den Acker and according to Renault, it represents the vision of 'simple', 'sensuous' and 'warm.' From where we sit, the shape certainly fulfills the first two elements and the bright red finish is downright hot.

The DeZir wouldn't be a modern Renault concept if it wasn't powered by electrons, and such is the case for this coupe. Energy storage comes by way of the same size 24 kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery pack that sits under the Nissan Leaf, and the driving range remains the same 100 miles. Unlike the Leaf, the pack in the concept is configured for Quick Drop exchanges.

Propulsion is provided by a 110 kilowatt electric motor spinning the rear wheels and pushing the 1,830 pound concept to 60 mph in 5 seconds (at least according to the spec sheet). Kevlar body panels (including a pair of trick reverse-hinged butterfly doors) are wrapped around a steel tube frame chassis with double wishbones at all four corners. Renault hasn't given any indication yet if the DeZir will be produced. High-res gallery below, full details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Renault DeZir concept

[Source: Renault]

Continue reading Paris Preview: Renault DeZir concept signals new styling direction

Paris Preview: Renault DeZir concept signals new styling direction originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jul 2010 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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