Love it or hate it, the automotive industry of today is not lacking for its exercises in reviving old nameplates. The trend ranges from Mini to Maybach, from Dodge Dart to Dodge Challenger. And the French are certainly not immune. Citroën revived its fabled DS moniker for a range of premium hatchbacks, and Renault – most of all – has been mulling bringing back the Alpine for years now.
Arguably just as central to Renault’s performance heritage as the recently revived Gordini line, Alpine made mid-engined sportscars with Renault mechanicals starting in the 1950s and discontinued four decades later. Its most famous model, however, was the A110 (pictured above), which is now celebrating its 50th anniversary. And if a new report from Autocar is accurate, Renault has no intention of letting the occasion slip by unnoticed. Read More »
The Renault Scénic is king of Europe’s compact MPV hill, and changes for the 2012 model arriving in February aim to keep it there. Outside, the range (Scénic and Grand Scénic) gets restyled schnozzes with LED running lights, new taillights, new wheels and two new colors, Azzurro Blue and Damask Red.
The engine range has been expanded with two smaller-capactiy four-cylinder powerplants, one being a 1.2-liter gas engine and the other a 1.5-liter diesel. And if Renault’s involvement in Formula One means anything to you, those lumps are said to benefit from F1 tech, notably Stop & Start and brake energy regeneration.
Carryover technology like the TomTom navigation will be supplemented in the 2012 models with Hill Start Assist and Renault’s Visio System that bundles a lane-departure warning feature with automatic high beams. You’ll find out about the rest of the goodies in the press release after the jump, and every angle of the newer, handsomer Scénic is in the gallery of high-res images. Read More »
It’s been only four years since Renault launched its third-generation Laguna, and one year since the model underwent a facelift. But according to the latest reports the French automaker is getting ready to pull the plug and go back to the drawing board for an all-new replacement. And if our information proves accurate, that could lead to a new sports coupe as well.
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Back in the early ’90s, Renault and Williams were dominating Formula One, and their success spilled over into one of the most celebrated hot hatches of all time. And now that the two are getting back together for the 2012 season, rumors are afoot that they’ll collaborate on a revival that could prove one very tasty beast indeed. Read More »
With the British Grand Prix coming up this weekend, Renault has launched a pair of special edition hot hatches to join its new Megane Trophy.
Based on the existing Twingo Renaultsport 133 and Clio Renaultsport 200, the Silverstone GP editions upgrade on their already considerable levels of specification with such special touches as silver paint with contrasting black wheels, roof and mirror housings, tinted rear windows, Silverstone badges, Renaultsport Monitor performance tracking systems and the competition-focused Cup suspension as standard.
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This is not a Porsche Cayenne, but something told us you already knew that. What you’re looking at is the new Renault Koleos. But the French softroader is available in Cayenne Orange, as pictured above. Hmm. Read More »
That the Renault/Dacia Duster has reached the Indian market may be news for the Indian automotive scene, but is hardly of consequence to American readers, or really to anyone outside of India. What is of more international importance, however, is what was previewed at the Duster’s unveiling in New Dehli.
While local journos were admiring the budget crossover, Renault gave a sneak peek at the upcoming facelifted Koleos.
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