Nice New Renaults

The current financial meltdown has been tough for practically every niche of the economy, but car companies have been particularly slammed. Renault is the latest company in the news and questions are being raised about its Formula One effort.

Renault is a French car company that is the equivalent of GM in the United States. Unfortunately, its current economic condition is about the same as well. The company just reported over a billion dollars in losses for the last half of 2008. Renault’s market is much smaller than most car companies, so these are devastating numbers.

Things are so bad for Renault and other French car companies that the French government has had to step in to help. It is providing the company a 3 billion Euro loan. It is also providing the financing arm of Renault with another billion to try to make ends meet while the current contraction takes place.

Given the current financial situation for Renault, rumors abound regarding whether the company will continue to fund its Formula One team. Renault has always been a bit ambivalent about its investment. One needs only look back to when Fernando Alonso left the team for McLaren Mercedes. The primary reason was it was unclear how committed Renault was to continuing the team. With money tight, a pull out may be inevitable.

Will we see Renault continue to field a team in Formula One? The clear answer is yes for the start of the 2009 season. If the economic hurricane sweeping the globe does not stop, it is hard to see the company continuing the team through the full season. If nothing else, taking billion dollar loans from the government is going to make it difficult to do so with taxpayers not particularly interested in going racing!

Renault is not the only team facing financial issues. Even with the cutbacks in budgets, it is important to realize many of the teams are like ducks. They look calm above the water line, but their feet are thrashing about below it. Mercedes and BMW are heavily reliant upon the US market for revenues.. If sales nose dive [and they are], one could see those teams in trouble. Toyota certainly has to be looking at its team. Has any company spent so much money for so few results?

The 2009 Formula One season is shaping up to be incredibly interesting. How will the new cars perform? Who will win the championships? Who will be left standing at the end of the season – literally.

Lemmy Gibson

This history of the Renault is as vast as that of many vehicle makers. Renault is a French auto maker that has achieved substantial success throughout the years. They make all types of vehicles from cars to vans and even buses and tractors. Right now it is the fourth largest auto maker in the world due in part to their serious affiliation with Nissan. They also own the Romanian Dacia as well as the Korean Samsung Motors. One of the most popular vehicles known by Renault is the Renault Clio.

Louis Renault is the founder of the Renault auto maker. He worked with his brothers and friends as his partners as he launched the start of this business in 1898. They split their duties between business management and product development and in no time at all they had started something successful. The very first car that they sold was purchased by a close friend of Louis’s father’s. They allowed him to take the little car for a test drive and he was so impressed with the way it moved and handled the road that he immediately bought it.

The Renault brothers decided to use racing as a publicity form for their vehicles. They participated in many motor races some of which were held in Switzerland. Louis and his brother Marcel both participated in the races. However, during one race in Paris Marcel was in an accident. He was killed. Louis Renault never did race again after that but the Renault cars were still used in races.

Renault continued to grow in success and even though cars were a luxury in the early 1900s, that didn’t stop their sales from doing considerably well. At one point their cheapest cars would cost as much as the average worker made in ten years. Despite this, they continued to make and sell cars as well as buses and other modes of transport. When the war began Renault even branched out to begin making military vehicles like tanks. Renault was honoured for this and had become the number one auto maker by the time the war came to an end.

Many things began to change in the economy after the war. Renault was doing very well but suddenly experienced some issues when it came to regular cars that everyone could afford. This was a market that they were not directly competitive in. It was also a market that was in high demand. Renault produced a line of cars that came in various sizes and engine power levels so that he had something to offer the consumer public.

When World War II began Nazi Germany put a stop to the auto maker’s production. Renault was arrested during the liberation of France and was most likely murdered. Though it was never proven, the coroner noted that his neck had been broken.

It was 1999 when the Renault Company signed a deal with Nissan. It is the very first agreement of its kind. This has helped to keep Renault the high powered company that it has been for more than one hundred years.

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The improvement of Renault, the inventor of the “Wind” roadster this year, is considered an interesting step because it reflexes the tendency into the roadster market in the future. There are many fascinating features of Wind developed under the “Touch Design” concept, such as the elegantly designed appearance that reflexes lively and the inner decorated with fine quality materials which reflexes class.

Neat, clean appearance consists of 2 main lines which are the bottom and top lines. Although the headlights’ shapes are plain, they are a significant part that helps empower the overall. Transparent windshield stuffed with blue and green lights similar to plane’s light, which are such brilliant. The green smoothly blended with the light blue or aquamarine of the body part is the individual characteristic of Wind. Fabulous 19-inch wheels and “245-35ZR19” Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires are another remarkable complement.

The most outstanding of it is the 3-seat capacity which is cocoon-curve shaped, light brown leather seat embraces the passengers and the driver.

Frill-designed seats are permanently installed, as well as the steering wheel and console that are adjustable and automatically roll out when the doors are opened, and that helps the passenger enter the car more easily. The center section linked with the back seat which is made of carbon fiber. It is layered with foam and leather, which can flip inside out in order to make the third seat.

Although it is a compact roadster, Wind contains wide and useful space. The rear space has 232 liters in capacity. Wind’s dimension consists of 3870 millimeters in length, 1750 millimeters in width, excluding the side windows, 1260 millimeters in height, and 2395 millimeters in wheel’s base’s length, as well as the 850 kilograms in weight.. The back seat has extra thick car soft-top attached with the rear curve-shaped window for protecting the passengers from rain and sunlight.

All Wind’s controlling devices are made of aluminum, which reflexes the sport characteristic. They are designed to be in round shape installed in the center of console. They contain control button, communicative device, stereo, and navigation system.

6-speed robotized gearbox is designed to be with the dashboard, while the shift gear is put on the steering wheel like the Formular-1’s. There is one gauge-meter made of cylinder-shaped glass. It is used for indicating the round-per-minute speed which is displaying the numbers in both analog and digital.

Air conditioner’s controller is designed to put on the inner driver’s door. Its engine is a 16-valve 2.0liters, 136 horsepower maximum, and 191 Nm torque. It is considered a low-pollution engine which qualifies the Euro-4 polluting gas production regulation. From the Wind’s information, it implies the effort to market the small roadster which has the outstanding in designs in color, capacity, and clean burning energy that is quite energetic. Most of its designs are in the draft stage, so if Renault has a plan to import this production, they need at least 2 years in development.

With the misfortunes of America’s two largest automakers being trumpeted frequently on the news, it seems as if little attention is being paid to some of the other automakers out there. France’s Renault, once in poor shape itself, has rebounded nicely and is prospering with its relationship with Nissan, a company it has controlling interest in. Speculation is that Renault wants a greater piece of the luxury car market, even beyond Nissan’s luxury division, Infiniti. Would General Motors consider selling Saab to Renault or would the French automaker be better off looking elsewhere? Let’s take a look at some options for Renault.

Make a bid for Saab. It is no secret that the Swedish automaker hasn’t been much of a hit for General Motors. Unlike the other Swedish automaker Volvo, itself owned by Ford, Saab has produced little benefit for GM since being brought into the fold in 1990. A clash in management styles hasn’t helped with GM’s line management style going up against Saab’s egalitarian style. Although not exactly a luxury line, Saab could be upgraded and give Renault renewed access to the American market and much needed cash for GM.

Go after Jaguar. Much like Saab’s relationship with GM, Jaguar hasn’t done a lot for Ford. Unlike GM, however, Ford has handled its international acquisitions much better and has allowed its new holdings to continue to plan and expand their product lines without excessive dictation from Detroit. Still, the value of Jaguar remains strong and the time for Ford to sell this British automaker off would be now. Let’s just see how well the French and British work things out too!

Ramp up Infiniti. Even in expressing interest in acquiring another automaker, Renault does have its own “in house” luxury line in Infiniti. After a poor start, Infiniti has strengthened its product line and is better poised to compete against Lexus and Acura. A careful “retuning” of Infiniti could also yield a line of cars better suited to compete against BMW and Mercedes who essentially lead the luxury car market in the Europe. Working with the existing lnfiniti brand would be cost effective too.

Introduce a new luxury line. Much as Toyota, Honda, and Nissan have introduced luxury lines of their own vehicles, Renault could do the same and profit immensely. With Hyundai expected to do the same, Renault’s new luxury division could give the automaker instant access to the luxury market and prepare the company for reentry into the U.S.

As much as General Motors and Ford are reeling right now, neither Saab nor Jaguar may be auctioned off. At present, both Swedish automakers have a significant cross division investment that cannot be easily disconnected. Planned vehicles in the Saab pipeline would have to be scuttled, which would effectively reduce the automaker’s value overnight.

Renault may still be eyeing Saab, but the logistics aren’t that easily worked out.

Copyright 2005 — Matt Keegan is a contributing writing for PitStop Auto Parts covering Saab parts; Covercraft Car Cover; and Brembo Brake Rotors; and other fine products.

The Renault Clio, a run of the mill small hatchback aimed squarely at the mass market. A reliable super mini driven by new drivers, mothers on the school run and old dears popping down to the shops. So what happens when you add an insane body kit, rip out the rear passenger seats and shove a growling 3.0 litre V6 in the back of one these sedate little motors? Well Renault decided to find out in 2001 when they did just that and unleashed the Renault Clio V6 Sport in Europe.

The Clio V6 was superficially based upon the MKII Renault Clio although in reality the two cars share few components. This was quite necessary to transform the standard Clio from a front wheel drive, front engine car typically using a 1.2 or 1.4 litre engine, to a mid engine rear wheel drive hot hatch. The major difference is of course the engine – the 3.0 litre V6 being sourced from the Laguna, Renault’s large saloon model, before being heavily tuned to deliver 252bhp.

The most obvious difference to the untrained eye is the Clio V6’s looks. You can still see the standard little Clio underneath the body kit if you squint but it’s a tough job, the original styling drowning in huge bumpers, air intakes and almost ridiculously wide wheel arches. This is not a subtle car and was not designed to go unnoticed. The design ethos extends to the cars practicality – it’s not. With the rear end of the car dominated by the engine, rear passenger seats are gone, the boot is gone, fuel economy is, yes, gone.

Even being as heavily modified as it was, the Clio V6 was not a class leader by any means. Unrefined and very heavy for its humble size, the Clio was little match around a track against the Japanese rivals of the time. And despite the engine, the extra weight meant that much more modest hot hatches could keep up with the Clio V6 in a straight line. Ownership was not a walk in the park either, the Clio V6 having a high price tag, low fuel economy and a high Clio insurance group. This was ultimately beside the point however. In a time of restraint and blandness in the motor industry, the Clio was a breath of fresh air. Quirky, a little bit mad and most importantly – fun.

The Renault Corporation first began producing cars in 1897. The company has actually been in business far longer, however. Starting in the 1700’s, Renaults have been involved in producing coffee, salt and various other products. The road to the production of motor vehicles actually began with crinoline dress. Renault produced the steel rods used to keep the dresses stiff. Machining these steel rods indirectly led to machining other steel products.

Louis Renault was involved in engineering and design, his two brothers, Marcel and Ferdinand had much experience in management having been involved for many years in their father’s textile plants.

Louis Renault was responsible for the sale of the first Renault car, which he allowed a friend father to drive. The man was so impressed with the capabilities of the car that he bought it on the spot.

At this time, European road racing was in its infancy, but the brothers immediately recognized that road racing could give their cars tremendous amounts of exposure to the public. Louis and Marcel actively participated in driving their cars in these races until Marcel was killed in the 1903 Paris Madrid race. This would end Louis’s racing career as well but the Renault vehicles still actively participated in the races. It was the Renault AK 90CV that won the very first Grand Prix motor racing event.

Because vehicles were considered as luxury items at the time, Renault expanded beyond passenger cars to produce taxis, buses and other types of industrial vehicles. Just as most other manufacturers, Renault turned its attention to the war efforts during World War I producing ammunition, aircraft and tanks. Renault’s military contributions resulted in Louis Renault being honored by the Allies at the end of World War I.

Between the two world wars that the world would see in the twentieth century, Renault began to expand the company to produce both large and small vehicles. However, during this time the company experienced problems with both the stock market and their labor force. One of the most significant problems facing the car company was distribution of their product. Renault was finally able to contract with a distributor in the north of France and things picked up significantly for the company.

In the mid thirties, the trend of shipping back expensive European cars prior to World War I had all but disappeared and imports to the United States dropped almost to zero.

World War II was to be a difficult challenge for Renault Corporation when France fell to the Axis powers in 1940. Nazi took control of Renault’s factories and wanted him to produce military vehicles and ammunition for them. Although Renault refused to assist the Nazi’s in this way, he was still accused of collaborating with the Germans and was arrested in 1944. Unfortunately, he died in prison without ever being able to defend himself against the hideous accusations.

After World War II, the company was lifted on the same wave of opportunity that was sweeping the rest of the world. Renault was revitalized and began producing quality cars that rivaled the likes of Morris Minor and Volkswagen’s Beetle.

By the 1970’s, the energy crisis was affecting all auto manufacturers and Renault was not immune. They used this stressful period to try to gain more success in the United States market. This was only marginally successful and by the mid seventies, the French car company had withdrawn back to its shores across the Atlantic.

Ronnie Tanner is a contributing writer at SW Engines. He writes about used Renault engines and other related industry specific topics for the company.

If you’ve been following motor racing, you will most probably have heard of the latest Formula One scandal, nicknamed Crashgate. Over the 2008 F1 Singapore GP, the Renault team comprising of Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet Jr, qualified in 15th and 16th place and would normally not have any hopes of winning the race. As it happened, Piquet Jr intentionally crashed his car in Lap 14. His purpose of bringing out the safety car worked, as Alonso, having refueled earlier on, went on to take the lead and became the unlikely winner of the 1st ever night race in Formula One history.

But now the truth is out and the fall out over this scandal begins. Alonso has denied any knowledge of this plot and has been cleared by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) of any wrongdoing. Renault has also been handed a 2 year suspended sentence that would see them banned if they are found guilty of breaking the rules in the next 2 years. But what of the 3 figures central to the scandal? Flavio Briatore, the colorful team principal of Renault was given a lifetime ban in participating in all forms of motor sports while Renault chief engineer Pat Symonds, was banned for 5 years. However, Nelson Piquet Jr., the driver at the centre of this scandal was not penalized as he was given immunity in exchange for providing evidence of the plot.

However, most motor sports fans are up in arms with the feeling that Renault got away easily. Speculation is of the FIA going as far as possible to allow them to stay in the sport, having already lost Honda this season and BMW already announcing their pull out at the end of this season. The penalties from Crashgate, sometimes described as the worst scandal in Formula One history, also pale in comparison to previous scandals. McLaren for example, was fined a whopping US$100 million and had all points in the constructors’ championship forfeited for spying and possessing Ferrari technical data.

A couple of Formula One drivers might also feel aggrieved at the ruling. Felipe Massa, who lost out on the championship to Lewis Hamilton by a single point, was leading the race before the deliberate crash and might have gone on to win both the championship and the race if he was not forced to make an unscheduled pitstop. Nico Rosberg, the German driver in the Williams team who eventually finished second, might feel that he deserves to be the rightful winner.

And what is the future of Nelson Piquet Jr.? Although many feel that he got off lightly, would any team hire someone who deliberately crashed his vehicle? Only time will tell.

Roger Cruz

The New Renault Clio is considered to be one of the best mini’s on the market. It comes in a 5 door model that is quite spacious and roomy and a smaller sportier 3 door hatch back model. Both feel and ride like much bigger cars. The Clio is a very sturdy, driver friendly car that offers surefooted road handling even at higher speeds and through different terrains. The new Clio has a lot to offer in a small, sleek stylish package.

The 3 door New Renault Clio is a very well priced car starting at an affordable £9,995 for the basic entry level Extreme 1.2. The top range GT comes in at a reasonable £14,445. Equipped with a new fuel efficient engine, a better looking rear and front view and a bigger cabin that allows for sufficient shoulder and leg room this model is much improved over past versions. You may have a factory fitted Tom Tom sat nav system installed for £450 extra, a real bargain considering the price you would normally pay for most integrated sat nav systems.

Renault has always been known for it’s exceptional performance record in the multitude of crash tests their vehicles have all undergone in the past. The New Renault Clio is no exception to this rule. The Clio scored very well when it comes to protecting both adults and children and even pedestrians. The entry level models all come with side and front airbags, they higher range models offer curtain airbags as well. All models have ABS electronic brake distribution and child seat mounting and even a 2 alarm system is available as a standard item.

The New Renault Clio is idea for a small family. It’s fuel efficient, saving you a good bit of money at the pump and it handles very well. There’s plenty of room for 4 to be seated comfortably and it offers passengers a gentler and much safer ride than a few of the past models. All in all the Renault Clio is well made car that has a lot to offer for the cost and it lives up to the famous Renault reputation.

Pete J Ridgard

Renault is well known for manufacturing different and interesting vehicles. The recent addition of their first cross over model, the New Renault Koleos continues that tradition. The Koleos is the first attempt at a SUV for the Renault company and even though it’s taken a little extra time, the waiting has been worth while. The Koleos is a quality vehicle that has a lot to offer. It’s well made, affordably priced and is one of the best new SUVs on the market today.

The New Renault Koleos offers drivers a taste of sophistication and class packaged in an SUV shell. Driving the Koleos is really a pleasurable experience. The four wheel drive and hill descent system that has been installed into the Koleos has done a fantastic job at finding and maintaining grip while traveling along a bumpy roads and winding curves in any weather conditions. The vehicle handles well at any speed in any condition.

If you’re looking for a nice family vehicle the New Renault Koleos offers a lot in that area as well. It’s easily accessible, has a drop down tail and a life up rear door and has easily fold down seats to make plenty of room to carry groceries or sporting equipment. It seats 4 comfortably and has plenty of shoulder and leg room for passengers. The interior of the car is fluid and nicely done. The height adjustable cloth covered seats are chunky and firm but also contoured to add to driving your comfort. The Koleos Privilege comes with heated leather seats.

This new version of Renault is a bit off the beaten track for this car manufacturer. In the New Renault Koleos, they have successfully combined their world class craftsmanship with the newer technology that has brought us a spectacular 4 wheel drive cross over SUV. The Koleos is fuel efficient, something unheard of for most SUVs and it is easy to drive, offers a driver excellent visibility, great precision handling and is truly a pleasurable drive for both any owner of the vehicle. The Renault Koleos is a crossover that will be a valuable member of the Renault family for years to come.

Pete J Ridgard

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.