Nice New Renaults

Mahindra Renault Logan is a sports utility vehicle (SUV) launched in India by the joint venture between the Indian auto maker Mahindra & Mahindra and French auto maker Renault. Logan is not performing up to the expectation level of the company Mahindra Renault. Recently the two partners were engaged in discussions to change the strategy with regard to Logan in the country. The collaboration may go through some changes in coming days.

It has launched Logan in India in several variants. These include Logan, Logan Edge, Edge Connect, and Play. The versions of it available in the country nclude Ma.4 GL Petrol, 1.4 GLE Petrol, 1.6 GLX Petrol, 1.6 GLS Petrol, 1.5 DLE Diesel, 1.5 DLX Diesel and Mahindra Renault Logan 1.5 DLS Diesel.

It has overall length of 4250 mm, overall width of 1740 mm and overall height of 1525 mm. The car, with ground clearance of 172 mm, has boot space of 510 liter. The 4 door SUV can sit 5 persons. The 1461 cc engine of the vehicle delivers maximum torque of 16@2,000 (kgm@rpm).

It offers mileage of 19.2 km/liter on high ways, 13.8 km/liter in city and overall its offers mileage of 15.3 km/liter. The SUV can deliver the maximum speed of 142 km/hour. The high-end 1.5 DLS Diesel has features like air conditioner, power windows, power door locks, power steering, driver air-bags, central locking, tachometer, child safety locks, front fog lights, rear defroster, FM radio and CD player.

The French auto company Renault manufactures cars, tractors and trucks. The company has an alliance with the Japanese auto maker Nissan. It has ownership of Automobile Dacia and Renault Samsung Motors.

Mahindra & Mahindra is a leading sports utility vehicle maker of India. The company is part of the Mahindra Group, one of the major corporate houses of India. Mahindra Group has presence in various sectors like automotive, financial services, IT and infrastructure.

Mahindra & Mahindra has launched many successful SUVs in the Indian auto market. These include Bolero, Xylo and the best seller of its segment Scorpio. The company launched Logan in collaboration with Renault.

Today, Renault is one of the most successful French automobile manufacturing companies, but when it started in 1899, it was obviously just a new player in the market. But, soon they built great rapport and in 3 decades the company progressed steadily. In 1928, company had offered about 45,809 car units, ranging from small to very large cars. However, smallest cars were much liked by the customers. Roadsters as well as Torpedoes were also launched in the market at low prices. During Second World War, Company suffered a bit as German Nazis took control of Renault.

Post World War, Renault offered its rear engine 4CV model in the year 1946. During 1951 – 1960, company had offered a 2 liter 4 cylinder car known as Renault Fregate. The introduction of Renault Dauphine helped in expansion of the company in Africa as well as North America as it became one of the largest selling cars in France.

However, the car could not get success in North America and the model was outdated by early 1960s. Renault offered its two models Renault 4 as well as Renault 8 in order to gain its lost fortune back in 1961 and 1962 respectively. The R8 was conventional type whereas R4 was offered with revolutionary front wheel drive system. This model was produced till 1992.

In 1981, Renault 9 model, which was a 4 door sedan, was awarded with European car of the year. For its leading class qualities, the Clio III model from Renault also received European car of the year in 2005. Renault has targeted to sell about 20,000-40,000 electric cars by 2011. Let us see how far they succeed in their impressive venture.

Though visions of “Papa” and “Nicole” are etched into the mindset whenever most of us hear the name “Renault Clio”, make no mistake this is a car that has come a long way since it burst on to the scene in 1991.

Sixteen years on the standard (non-Sport) Clio is not so much ‘chic and sexy’ as ‘quiet and practical’ – its even ballooned in size and now ranks more as a ’super midi’ than a ’super mini’ presumably so an older Nicole has room for her husband and 2.4 children.

Nevertheless what it lacks in youthful exuberance it makes up for in comfort and reliability – in fact in an Auto Express customer satisfaction survey in 2007, the Renault Clio received recognition as the 49th most satisfying car to own, a welcome boost for the manufacturer which has rarely had the most outstanding customer reputation.

And we all know what reliability means – yes, cheap car insurance. Or at least that’s the theory.

Unfortunately that doesn’t come as standard like its electric power steering so I suggest you shop around with a car insurance comparison tool. Searching specifically for Renault car insurance should help you save cash.

The petrol versions of the Renault Clio have superior handling to the diesel models when pushed to the limit, mainly due to the reduced weight.

Safety measures are good too, with up to eight airbags available, along with a seat belt load limiter for the front seats. In fact, the Renault Clio earned a maximum five-star rating for adult occupancy and a high four-star rating for child occupant safety in the Euro NCAP ratings, making it one of the safest small cars around.

It’s clear the Renault Clio has matured and is now arguably more desirable than ever.

In 2005, Formula One saw Ferrari fade out of sight, as the works Renault team dominated the early part of the season, and Fernando Alonso forged a clear championship lead. In the latter part of the season McLaren were significantly the stronger team, with consistently better results and a win tally of 6 from 7 races. However their early record of poor reliability had meant that catching Renault in either Drivers’ or Constructors’ Championships was a tall order.

For a while it looked close between Räikkönen and Alonso, but by Brazil Fernando Alonso had become Formula One’s youngest ever champion. The Constructors’ Championship looked even more likely for McLaren, widely regarded as the faster car and with reliability much improved.

However a retirement for Juan-Pablo Montoya in the season finale at Shanghai secured the Constructors’ title for Renault. One statistic proved the two teams’ dominance: they together won all but one of the races, the controversial US Grand Prix, (in which neither of the two teams participated) which was Schumacher and Ferrari’s only win of the year.

Arguably, the final small specialist racing team disappeared with the September 2005 purchase of Minardi by Red Bull to be renamed as Scuderia Toro Rosso and run as a separate entity alongside Red Bull Racing. Jordan had been bought by Russo-Canadian steel company Midland early in 2005 and was renamed Midland F1 for the 2006 season. In June 2005, BMW bought a majority stake in Sauber, which became their factory entry. The Williams team ceased their partnership with BMW as a result, entering a commercial arrangement with Cosworth instead.

From 2006 manufacturer teams have an unprecedented level of involvement in the sport. Honda also bought BAR. 2006 was the last season with two tyre manufacturers: The two manufacturers at the time were Japanese manufacturer Bridgestone and French company Michelin. In December 2005, the FIA announced that from the 2008 season, there would be only one tyre supplier. Five days later, Michelin announced it would quit Formula One at the end of the 2006 season as it did not want to be in Formula One as the sole tyre supplier, leaving Bridgestone as the sole supplier from 2007.

Renault and Fernando Alonso established early leads in both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships. The Spanish World Champion achieved six wins (including four consecutive victories) in Bahrain, Australia, Spain, Monaco, Britain, and Canada. Teammate Giancarlo Fisichella won his third career race in Malaysia. Schumacher won the United States Grand Prix (his fourth consecutive victory at Indianapolis and fifth career victory there) and the French Grand Prix. He also won the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, with Alonso finishing 5th.

Jenson Button achieved his first Formula One career victory in the Hungarian Grand Prix. Alonso had a mechanical failure whilst leading in the later stages of the race whilst Michael Schumacher retired after a collision with Nick Heidfeld. However Schumacher was promoted to 8th place in the standings (having been classified 9th following a retirement three laps from the end) because of Robert Kubica’s disqualification in his first race. The Polish driver had finished 7th in the BMW Sauber.

Felipe Massa won the next Grand Prix in Turkey, so for the second race in a row, Formula One had a debut winner. Fernando Alonso extended his lead over Michael Schumacher by two points after he managed to finish a tenth of a second ahead of the German in second place.

Schumacher managed to reduce Alonso’s lead to only two points after winning the Italian Grand Prix, while Alonso suffered an engine failure in the late stages of the race. Despite a fourth-place finish for Alonso’s teammate, Giancarlo Fisichella, and a flat-spotted tyre causing Felipe Massa to score no points, the race also saw Ferrari pull ahead of Renault for the first time in 2006. Polish driver Robert Kubica took his BMW Sauber to his first ever podium finish, in only his third race, but the race results were largely overshadowed by Schumacher announcing, during the post-race press conference, that he would retire at the end of the season. Afterwards he did say that he would hold a position in the Ferrari F1 team for 2007, though he did not disclose what.

Three weeks later, with his victory at Shanghai right ahead of Alonso, Schumacher drew level on points with him him at the head of the championship. Schumacher officially lead the World Championship for the first time in 2006 after the race, as he had won 7 races compared to Alonso’s 6. Massa did not finish the race, and Renault gained again the lead in the constructors’ championship thanks to Fisichella’s third place.

A week later at the Japanese Grand Prix, Felipe Massa took pole ahead of Michael Schumacher in second and Fernando Alonso in fifth. Schumacher quickly took the lead and set about gaining a five second lead, which continued until after the second round of pit stops. However, Schumacher’s engine failed with 17 laps to go, forcing him to retire and handing Alonso the win ahead of Massa.

At the final round, the Brazilian Grand Prix, Massa again took pole. Drama in qualifying saw Michael Schumacher have a fuel pressure problem[24], meaning that he started down in 10th, while Alonso began in 5th. In the race, Schumacher had yet more bad luck, suffering a puncture just a few laps in. He recovered to finish fourth, while teammate Massa became the first Brazilian to win his home Grand Prix since Ayrton Senna, in 1993, and Alonso finished second to secure his second successive championship, adding the record of the youngest man to secure back-to-back titles to his ever-increasing list of records. Fisichella finished 6th for Renault, meaning that the French outfit secured their second successive title.

The Fiat has introduced the revamped version of the mid-sized C – segment sedan to compete with the likes of Renault Megane, and Ford Focus, in the European as well as Asian countries. This four door sedan is similar in size to the Pontiac G6. The Linea was debuted at Motor Show in the Istanbul.

The Fiat Linea model was offered in the European as well as non – European market in the year 2007. The model was designed and developed through a joint operation between the Fiat and a Turkish Automotive factory, TOFAS. The vehicle is being manufactured at the Bursa plant in Turkey. The model has been developed in the Fiat style along with the dynamic and elegant extra lines. The special attention is given to make the journey more comfortable for the driver as well as the passengers. The wheelbase of the vehicle is about 2.6 m, while the length, width and height of the car is about 4.56 meter, 1.73 m and 1.5 m respectively.

The Fiat Linea model has been introduced in three versions by the Fiat India. These three variants are Emotion, Active and Dynamic. However, all the models come with either in 1.3 liter diesel engine or 1.4 liter petrol engine. The 2009 Linea comes with a unique board styling, steering design, well furnished designed and quality of the buttons as well as switches, and comfortable seats. In the exterior design part the rear lamps, twin barrel headlights and the front grill may definitely roll the eyeball of the buyer.

McLaren vs Renault

This titanic duel between the two top flight teams isn’t going to be fought out on the track. In true Stepneygate style, the battling will be done by the lawyers. McLaren accused Renault of having obtained, disseminated and used confidential team information to the benefit of the French team. The hearing planned to go ahead on Thursday this week was first preceded by news that McLaren had been forced to clarify their claims against Renault. Apparently, it was ‘only’ 13 members of Renault’s personnel that had submitted witness statements and not 18 (the point being?). There also seems to have been some confusion has to how many ‘media devices’ had had the information copied to them etc. Hugely significant as this clarification seems to have been portrayed by the media, it really does seem inconsequential. Worryingly for Ron Dennis, the handbags are drawn as this week, the Flav at Renault was quoted as saying that he would sue McLaren for defamation if McLaren’s claim is thrown out by the FIA.

Two things are clear though: 1. F1 lawyers have had all their Christmases for the next ten years rolled in to one and served early; and 2. The single common thread in all the scandals that have rocked F1 this year, sits quietly waiting in the wings for the storms to pass and worm his way towards the next title challenge.

Hamilton and Brawn

The Brits are back! Lewis Hamilton returned to testing after the hiatus following the end of the Championship to lead the times at Jerez during the last test before the New Year. Ross Brawn, Honda’s new head-honcho and former technical chief for Ferrari during the Schumacher glory years, returned to the F1 circus with his latest project. “Finding your way back from the brink – 101″ Tasked with the job of restoring Honda to its, some will remember, rightful place at the front of the grid, he warned of tough times ahead. My projection? Honda will be on the podium before the end of the coming season and mix it with the big boys for race wins in 2009.

McLaren and Alonso – the madness is official

Finally, reports from Spanish media sources suggest that McLaren may be reconsidering their strategy of sacking Fernando Alonso a few weeks ago and offer him that 1 year contract he so desperately wants as he continues to harbour misguided delusions of his chances at vying for a seat in a Ferrari for 2009. Maybe Ron Dennis WILL take him on. And maybe, then, the FIA WILL disqualify McLaren from running next year too.

On the basis of the Spaniard’s conduct this year and the Woking squad’s inability to focus on being a racing team, they won’t have had time to design and build their hospitality suites, much less a competitive car. It would be a shame for Ron Dennis, but just deserts for Fernando Alonso.

For free information on next year’s Spanish F1 Grand Prix, log on to the Barcelona F1 [http://www.barcelona-f1.co.uk] website

European motorists seeking to get a march on others by switching to fuel-efficient electric-powered vehicles can pre-order Renault’s latest electric models, the Fluence ZE and the Kangoo Express ZE which are due to go on sale in 2011.

The attraction of purchasing the Fluence ZE or the Kangoo Express ZE is that the vehicles will be both status-enhancing and green, minimising damage to the environment. Interested parties can already pre-order the vehicles on Renault’s company website.

The Kangoo Express ZE will also be based identically to its petrol-powered cousin with the same vehicle capacity making it a viable option for businesses and individuals alike.

Renault’s electric vehicles will be capable of driving up to 100 miles before requiring a battery re-charge, with the ability to charge vehicles up fully overnight. Meanwhile there will be the option of changing batteries at suitably named ‘rapid exchange stations’ and Renault predict that this option will take a similar length of time to that of filling up a normal tank of fuel.

Many UK motorists have already been attracted to green car insurance solutions. Some carbon neutral car insurance providers donate a portion of your premium towards an eco charity, whilst giving you the option to offset your car’s carbon emissions. This can go towards the funding of numerous projects that are working to help the wider world.

Motor insurance comparison websites allow motorists to browse categories or try search facilities. Either way you will find a comprehensive selection of the best UK car insurance deals all under one roof, saving you valuable time and money.

CompareInsurers.com is managed by a team of UK car insurance professionals and car enthusiasts. Our aim is to enable you to find all the information you need to get a competitive UK Green car insurance quote. With over 50 UK car insurance providers, you can be sure of finding the quote and the information you need.

A family car with a quirky twist, a practical people carrier with a little more than your usual amounts of panache. The Renault Espace (2006 Globe Ellen MacArthur special edition) is a celebration of the sailing achievements of Dame Ellen MacArthur, who sailed solo, non-stop around the world in less than seventy-two days. The partnership between her Offshore Challenges Sailing Team and those in charge of the Renault Espace was born in 2003, and has been going strong ever since.

Unique to other types of Renault, this edition was originally manufactured with a fibreglass body, a rarity among other makes of car. Exclusively for the UK market, this fabulous car scores top marks for cabin space (a luxurious seven seater – this car is nearly five meters long) as well as being comfortable all around and incredibly easy to drive.

The downsides to this car include its running cost and score on the save-the-planet meter. It has three engines – one petrol and two diesels – so it’s no wonder it has a thirsty appetite for fuel. But there are many other factors that outweigh its inconveniences.

The glass roof is another unconventional quality of this exclusive car. Also adding to the pleasure-time cruising is the six-CD auto-changer, not to mention the nifty rain sensing wipers. The dashboard has a futuristic appearance with LED lighting, and driving the Espace will always make you feel a head above the rest with the high seating position to the road. These are only a few of the individual qualities that the Renault Espace has to offer. It may appear to be your average big-boy family car, but take a look at your local car dealers forecourt and the MacArthur edition Espace will take you on a world-wide adventure.

Pete J Ridgard is a writer and a car enthusiast. He currently writes for the automotive industry. Here he discusses Car Dealers cars

Renault is awaiting a sun rise to elevate over its production line. A sun rise that will spark off vitality and endeavour to bring about a change in Renaults sales, a change that could promote a flourish within the car dealer, or that could cause a staggering downfall in expectations. After much consideration and head strong collaboration, Renault can now publish that their electric concepts that were show roomed at this year’s Frankfurt motor show have the all clear and will be paraded around the automotive industry in less than two years.

The electric Renault, crazy but classy, has wowed car dealers over the industry, and has also caused surprise among the public. It was bound to happen, do you ever wonder about what the automotive industry will be like in one hundred years? Perhaps the run of petrol and diesel will be abolished, the world will be controlled by electricity alone, and maybe in ten years after that, they’ll be created to fly. Our world is getting greener by the second, people are recycling as if their lives depend on it, lights are being turned off and cars are transferring to electricity. How much effort is recycling and reading in the dark though? The electric Renault has mastered the power of nurturing our environment, whilst providing an effortless and more fun way of doing so. Money shouldn’t come into it; easily affordable, with no surprises or strings attached.

The safe, practical and comfortable elements are all knitted into this patchwork quilt of luxury that encompasses the driver and passengers along their journey. It shadows the features of a smart, innovative and modern city that is bustling with many ordinary cars that will break down at the sight of the fresh glow that circulates around the new electric cars. Noise is no more, and that should sound wonderful, but to pedestrians, this could be a word of warning as noise is one of the essential indicators shouting not to cross the road.

There are variations within this green idea to appeal to numerous markets. A Fluence will fall into our world, introducing families to a more innovative and enticing model that will provide them with practicality and comfort. The Zoe is another that will accommodate a relaxing aura and comfort at its greatest. In desperation of having those heavy loads lifted from your poor car that is feeling the heavy pain, the Kangoo will defeat that desperation. The Twizy, a spacey two seater is smaller, but has the agility and comfort that would make those tedious journeys pleasant. There is plenty of choice that nobody should completely disregard.

This is the first, incredibly brave move of the French Renault car dealers. They are putting their foot out first, providing a range of electric models along their production line that aim to attract different markets, something no car dealer has dared to do. Whether they will be able to put their second foot out and stand firm in this challenge, we have yet to discover.

Pete J Ridgard

As a brand, Renault suggests many different things to many different people. This is something that few brands, particularly vehicle brands manage to accomplish. Often a vehicle brand will be pigeonholed as creating one type of car or another and that branding often limits the appeal that a car released by that brand can have. There are some brands, like Ferrari, that have specialised and concentrated on one area of the car market to the exclusion of all others to make the best car of the sports car arena. In contrast Renault has made a name as a car manufacturer who is capable of creating good cars in a variety of different sections of the car market.

In addition to the cars that Renault produces for everyday use, there are the cars that Renault has created for the Formula 1 Grand Prix. This shows that Renault is more than capable of creating extremely high powered machines that can outperform some of the best in the world. That sort of versatility is often lacking from those companies whose companies produce cars which are highly regarded in segments of the market other than sports cars. The quality of the cars that Renault creates is consistently high and in all markets where the company is focused it is considered a leading brand.

Currently the Mégane Renaultsport R26 is topping the tables all over as it wins award after award for it’s capability across the board. Not only is the general public flocking to buy it, motoring journalists are heaping more and more praise on it as time goes by. The unassuming Renault speedster allows those whose pockets aren’t exceptionally deep to still experience the feeling of taking off like a rocket. The functionality is fantastic in the Renault and the form matches it point for point. Another fairly recent release that is gaining loyal supporters far and wide is the Clio Renaultsport 197.

The new concept car that has just been unveiled is the Renault Clio Grand Tour which is set to become the latest groundbreaking addition to the Clio III range of cars. It’s classified as an estate, although noticeably less bulky than other cars classified in this group. The sleek lines and smaller dimensions of the Renault are mainly due to the fact that the car is a hybrid of estate and touring car. The size has not diminished the capacity of the car in any way and the 2.0 16 valve engine is put to very good use. This elevates the Renault Clio Grand Tour above its competitors in any grouping since the best aspects of the different groups are used in the creation of this hybrid that will make Renault proud.