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Carlos Ghosn adds heat to Lotus-Renault F1 rumours

November 9, 2010 at 12:53 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Lotus, Motorsports, Renault

Yesterday, you read here that Group Lotus (the Proton subsidiary) could be making an entry into Formula 1 via a collaboration with the Renault F1 Team. The paddock talks about Lotus coming in as a sponsor first, before deepening their involvement in the Enstone based team, and that there will be a Lotus-Renault on the grid next year. Here’s Renault boss Carlos Ghosn’s take on the rumour.

While not confirming outright, Ghosn hinted at the possibilities. “Name changes are everywhere. The key is to preserve the Renault name. Apart from Renault F1, yes, there may be other associated names. We are not in F1 to have a particular team but to promote the name and the technology of Renault,” he told Auto Hebdo.

“We don’t want to give the impression that we are an exclusive team. We are now developing our technology with multiple teams. What I can tell you is that, increasingly, we will be technology suppliers to many teams that are involved in Formula 1,” Ghosn added.

On Lotus’ part, this move (if the rumours are true) is entirely consistent with the Dany Bahar led new management’s plans. Everyone at the Paris Motor Show and Lotus’ gala dinner where they unveiled the fantastic five could see that they are finally starting to “take ownership” of the brand’s rich racing history. Clive Chapman gave his endorsement, Sir Stirling Moss was called in to lend weight, “7 time Constructors’ Champion” was drummed into our heads – they are dead serious in re-entering the game.

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Renault Megane RS 250 Cup sets Sepang time: 2:43.02!

November 6, 2010 at 4:58 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Renault, Videos

Renault importer TC Euro Cars has released a teaser video of its soon to be launched hot hatch, the Renault Megane RS 250 Cup, which was recently caught on camera by our own Harvinder in Langkawi. This is bound to be a cracking car to drive, if Renaultsport has improved on the outgoing Megane RS, which was my most enjoyable drive in 2009. I still occasionally dream of that big bottomed black car, and can’t wait to sample its successor.

The video starts off with glimpses of the car’s juicy bits. Things like a good ol’ six-speed manual gearbox, aluminium pedals with rubber studs, Recaro seats, xenons, Brembo brakes are all standard. The Malaysian spec car will also come with the Cup chassis, LSD and the Renaultsport Monitor – the latter is a system which provides the driver with real-time data accessible via steering wheel controls. The info includes a lap timer with memory function, acceleration timer, transverse and longitudinal g-force, turbo pressure, oil temperature plus torque and power figures.

The clip then shows the yellow Megane taking on Sepang. Driven by Singaporean racer Denis Lian, the stock standard RS lapped the track in 2:43.02 in dry conditions. Very respectable. While a Civic Type R can potentially rival that time, you’d be crushing your guts all the way home in the super focussed Honda as the Renault driver wafts along.

The price? We hear that it won’t be costlier than the outgoing car, which was sold for RM235K. Stay tuned!

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Renault Megane RS spotted again in Langkawi!

October 30, 2010 at 6:34 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Renault, Spyshots

Loads of yellow Renault Megane RS hot hatches were spotted in the Langkawi port earlier today by our very own Harvinder Singh while on assignment in Langkawi for the Mitsubishi ASX group media test drive.

This yellow hot hatch sports a 2.0 litre engine force inducted with a twin scroll turbocharger, making a peak power of 250 PS at 5,500rpm and a peak torque of 340Nm at 3,000rpm, all at the tip of the driver’s fingers and toes – there’s no twin clutch wizardry here – it’s all manual action via a 6-speed manual transmission!

The previous generation Megane RS was sold in Malaysia for RM235,000, about 10% more than what you’d pay for a Golf GTI. From what I hear the Megane RS is a more driver-focused machine – yet to try one! Look after the jump for a full gallery of the Langkawi cars.
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Renault Mégane III spotted in KLIA – and it’s an RS, no less!

October 29, 2010 at 12:50 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Local News, Renault

renault megane rs

Are we to expect a French-flavoured car launch season early next year? No sooner than photos were snapped of the Peugeot RCZ and 308 CC at JPJ Putrajaya – possibly going through type approval – do we have a snap of another French offering.

Reader Prem took this photo of a yellow Renault Mégane III running on trade plates near the KLIA, and the photo indicates that it’s an RS variant. Which would imply that the 250hp 2.0 litre turbocharged, six-speed manual hatchback is presumably the next item of Gallic flair slated for these shores. Sounds delectable if it is.

UPDATE: Reader Salleh also sent in this photo above of a Megane III RS parked next to a Subaru Impreza at the Dengkil R&R – considering Tan Chong brings in both Subaru and Nissan, were they Tan Chong employees on a twin test session?

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Vitaly Petrov gets five-place grid penalty for Suzuka crash

October 11, 2010 at 4:48 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Motorsports, Renault

Renault driver Vitaly Petrov will be demoted five places from his qualifying grid position in the upcoming Korean GP. Stewards dished out the punishment for his role in the start-line incident at Suzuka yesterday, where the Russian charged ahead of Williams’ Nico Hulkenberg and veered left before fully passing the German.

His Renault clipped the Williams’ front wheel, catapulting the yellow car into the barriers on the main straight. Hulkenberg’s race also ended because of that. In defence, Petrov said he was trying to avoid Nick Heidfeld’s Sauber, but the stewards were unmoved and said he caused an avoidable collision.

“I made a good start and managed to overtake Massa. I was then going passed Hulkenberg with Heidfeld on my right when he started to move left and so I also had to move left to avoid him. Unfortunately I hit the side of Hulkenberg’s car and this is why I crashed,” the Russian rookie explained.

The Suzuka stewards also investigated the Turn 1 incident between Ferrari’s Felipe Massa and Force India’s Tonio Liuzzi that led to both retiring, but decided that no action was necessary.

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Paris 2010: Renault DeZir concept is a stunning lady in red

October 6, 2010 at 3:34 am By Danny Tan Filed Under 2010 Paris Motor Show, Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Renault

Motor shows are not motor shows without the concept cars, and one of my personal favourites for Paris 2010 is this – the Renault DeZir concept. With curves in all the right places and wearing a beautiful red dress, I actually enjoyed photographing Mademoiselle DeZir and stayed on for awhile just to admire it after the snapping.

More than just a flight of fancy, DeZir is the first project to have been led by new design boss Laurens van den Acker and marks the beginning of a sequence of concept cars that will provide an insight into Renault’s new styling vision, like the now dead Nagare movement at Mazda, which van den Acker created when he was with the Zoom-Zoom company.

This seductress was designed to evoke ‘simple’, ‘sensuous’ and ‘warm’ feelings, according to Renault. Along with the cute Zoe, DeZir “lays the foundations for the brand’s forthcoming vehicles’ design cues”.

The vertically-mounted 24 kWh lithium-ion battery is located behind the seats and provides the car with a range of 160 km. The electric motor is the same unit used in Renault’s Z.E. range, although it’s located in the middle of the car here and has more go: 150 hp and 226 Nm. The tubular steel frame and suspension of the showcar comes from the Megane Trophy race car while the body is made from Kevlar.

It looks slippery and it is; drag coefficient (Cd) is rated at 0.25. Renault says that this KERS equipped concept accelerates from 0 to 50 km/h in two seconds flat.

Gallery after the jump.
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Paris 2010: Renault Zoe previews new signature front

October 5, 2010 at 2:46 am By Danny Tan Filed Under 2010 Paris Motor Show, Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Renault

The Renault-Nissan Alliance is dead serious about the electric revolution, and with the Nissan Leaf already creating waves, the Paris Motor Show saw Renault opening order books for the Kangoo Express Z.E. and the Fluence Z.E. electric cars. They will go on sale in mid-2011, and the Z.E. range will later expand to include the scooter-like Twizy and this cute Zoe.

The Zoe Preview is an accurate preview of the car that will debut in mid 2012. How true? Renault says that what you see here is 90% identical to the car that will roll out from Flins, France. This Zoe is also significant because it showcases Renault’s new brand identity for the first time, including the front look, so get used to it.

The Zoe is a Clio sized supermini that’s electric powered but has “everything expected of a B-segment car” including a roomy interior, spacious boot, manoeuvrable handling in the city and reassuring road holding for longer drives.

A lithium-ion battery powers the 80 hp/222 Nm electric motor with a combined range of 160 km. 0-100 km/h is done in 8.1 seconds on to a top speed of 135 km/h. Charging from your regular socket takes between 6 and 8 hours via a “Wall-Box” that comes with the car. For emergency situations, a public fast charge point will give 60 km range in less than 10 minutes or 80% battery capacity in 30 minutes.

The showcar also has some creative highlights. Billed as a “Spa Car”, the Zoe also has anti-dehydrating air con (good for skin), a toxicity sensor for cabin air, a stimulating or relaxing scent diffuser (created in conjunction with Biotherm, L’Oréal) and light therapy courtesy of Philips. Cute, just like the car.

Live gallery from Paris after the jump. For studio pics, click here.
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Renault ZOE Preview – next generation Clio EV?

October 1, 2010 at 2:58 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under 2010 Paris Motor Show, Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Renault

Renault showcased the new ZOE PREVIEW in Paris recently stating that it will be a realistic glimpse of the forthcoming mass market.

They go on to say that 90 percent of the vehicle will be carried over to the production model, which will be produced at the Renault Flins plant, France. The ZOE Preview will be a B-segment car that is aimed for city driving, releasing zero emissions. Powering the car will be 80hp electric motor capable of producing a torque figure of 222Nm.

Powering the motor are Lithium Ion batteries that give the car a range of 161 kilometres. If by any chance juice does run out, it only takes 10 minutes through a fast charge point, which will give you another 60 kilometres. Perhaps enough to get you home? Charging it for 30 minutes on the other hand, recharges 80 percent of the battery capacity.

In countries where the Quickdrop battery exchange stations are available, customers will be able to change their depleted batteries for a fully charged one, in just three minutes. This service is being planned in Israel and Denmark for the moment. The Zoe measures in at 4.10 metres in length and will sit on 19-inch wheels shod in special Michelin tyres, meant to optimize the range of the vehicle.

Other special features on the car skin hydrating climate control, a toxicity sensor that closes air vents when harmful substances are detected and stimulating or relaxing scent diffuser. Adding to that, is audio ambiance and light therapy, all meant to create a relaxing environment in the car.

Some are even speculating that design will be almost identical to that of the upcoming Clio. Hints of these were seen in the company’s press release of the ZOE comparing it to the Clio.

Picture gallery available after the jump.
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Kimi wins his first rally, F1 return won’t be a walk-through

September 21, 2010 at 3:40 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Motorsports, Renault

Kimi Raikkonen has won his first ever rally with the Citroen Junior Team, finishing tops at the Rallye Vosgien which happened over the weekend. The ex-F1 champ and his Citroen C4 WRC was unbeaten on all six stages at the national-level French event.

It was held in the Strasbourg area, which is close to where the Rally of France, the next round of the WRC, will be held. “This was a good preparation for the Rally of France. From what I am told, the roads on this event were fairly representative of what we will see on the next WRC round, so I am happy. It’s also good to get back into driving the car on asphalt – that’s very useful as well,” said the Iceman. The Citroen Junior Team is unable to test ahead of the Rally of France having pre-assigned all of its 15 test days, so it the outing was fruitful.

On the Finn’s return to F1 via Renault, whether it goes through or not boils down to commercial reasons. While having Kimi on board will boost the team’s chances to fight for the title, Vitaly Petrov brings sponsorship money from his homeland and is a “window to Russia” for the brand.

“It’s very important (financial considerations). As I said, we use Formula 1, and we have to push our team to succeed because we use the platform to do business. And you know, it’s a question of image,” team chairman Gerard Lopez told Autosport.

“It’s not that Vitaly is a paying driver, because he’s not, but certainly the sponsors that he brought or that came, which is Lada, have been very good sponsors. And he’s a good driver. Vitaly was second in the GP2 championship last year and could easily have won that championship if he hadn’t had six failures last year.

“On top of all that, he is a driver that has 250 million Russian-speaking people that are convinced in him, so we’d be stupid not to assume that there is a business behind that. But we have to build the driver. He is to us a very important element, just as Robert is,” Lopez added.

Raikkonen vs Petrov is an easy choice if only talent is taken into account, but F1 is a business at the end of the day, which is why it won’t be that straightforward. Let’s see who prevails.

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Daimler to use Renault-Nissan electric vehicle tech

September 15, 2010 at 10:27 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Nissan, Renault, smart

Here are some updates on the collaboration between Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Back in April when the partnership was announced, the stated scope was focussed on small car development and engine sharing (read our previous post here). In a recent interview with Reuters, Thomas Weber, Head of Group Research & Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, has confirmed that the German carmaker will broaden the partnership with Renault-Nissan into electric vehicle (EV) development.

The goal is to cut costs by building scale. “We won’t be able to meet the target of 95 grams CO2 in 2020 without electric vehicles with batteries and fuel cells,” Weber was quoted as saying, adding “it won’t be easy to then also earn money with these cars.”

Besides that, the partnership will birth a shared RWD architecture for the next smart fortwo, a new smart four-seater and the next-gen Renault Twingo. The first of these cars will roll out from 2013 with the smart plant in France building the two-seater versions and the Renault plant in Slovenia building the four-seater variant. It was announced that there will be EV versions.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance is one of the main movers of EVs in the motoring world. They have invested an estimated €4 billion into the field and have plans to launch up to eight EVs in at least five key segments – starting with the Nissan Leaf, which will be delivered to European customers early next year. US allotment for the car has been fully spoken for. Next in line are the Renault Fluence ZE saloon and Kangoo Express ZE in mid 2011.

Alliance boss Carlos Ghosn is very bullish about EVs, saying that they will comprise 10% of all car sales within a decade, and they’re expecting to build 500,000 plug ins by 2012.

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