The Triumph of Zoe: Renault cleared to use Zoe Z.E. name

Renault had ideas of giving its new electric vehicle the name Zoe Z.E., but a French lawyer, David Koubbi, sued to stop that kind of obvious lunacy. Koubbi represents a group of parents who have daughters named Zoe, none of those children having anything to do with the Renault family or company. Fair enough, we suppose. But Koubbi’s rationales have made everyone go “Zut alors!” with one quotable being, “Can an industrialist swoop in and steal our names so as to sell his products?”

A French judge says yes (at least in this case), agreeing that the term “Zoe” is a common noun not specifically reserved for humans. Renault said it is “very happy” with the result of the case and we imagine it plans to keep the name. Koubbi and his clients, on the other hand, plan to appeal.

Renault Latitude ready to carry the flag for French automaker

Earlier this year, the 2011 Renault Latitude was unveiled at the Moscow International Auto Show. The European version has now made its debut in front of the crowd at the Paris Motor Show. The Latitude is considered a business-class saloon and Renault is positioning it to become the automaker’s flagship vehicle.

The styling of the Renault Latitude somehow evokes images of the Chyrsler Sebring, new Volkswagen Jettaand any Lexus vehicle – yet it’s done in a stylish manner. When it launches in Russia, the Latitude will be available with either a 139-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT or a 2.5-liter V6 mated to a six-speed automatic that’s good for 177 hp. The four-cylinder unit is rated at 34 miles per gallon while the V6 gets just under 30 mpg. As the car expands into other markets, it will feature an expanding lineup of engine and gearbox choices.

Inside, the Renault Latitude is all about comfort. The power-adjustable driver’s seat features a massaging function with five pneumatic rollers and four different settings. In order to keep everyone else happy, the Latitude has a climate control system with triple-zone adjustability.

Renault Latitude debuts in Moscow

Renault does well in Russia, and the market is important enough to the French automaker that it’s unveiled its latest car in Moscow. The Renault Latitude is described as a “business class” sedan, which translates to a crisply-styled, generously-sized car carrying luxury and tech features. The Latitude will spread into other markets this fall, and the European version will debut at the Paris Motor Show, carrying powertrains and some altered styling details from the Russian-spec versions that just bowed.

Powering the Latitude are a 2.0-liter, 139-horsepower four-cylinder backed by a CVT, or a 2.5-liter, 177-horse version of Nissan’s VQ V6 mated to a six-speed automatic. Drivers are attended to by massaging seats, and niceties like three-zone climate control, sound systems by Arkamys and Bose, and a Carminat TomTom navigation system are some of the equipment details. Chassis bits are borrowed from both Renault and Nissan cars; the front reportedly comes from the Renault Laguna and the rear multi-link setup is from the Nissan side of the family.

Buyers can start lining up to buy the Latitude at the end of September in Morocco and Algeria, and the car will be rolled out in Russa, Ukraine and Africa shortly thereafter. The Latitude is definitely coming to continental Europe, and a decision on whether to offer the Latitude in the United Kingdom will be forthcoming. Want to know more? The press release is posted after the jump.

French automaker Renault encourages stripping for fun, profit

If you happen live in the UK, Renault is offering you a chance to win one of its diminutive new Windconvertibles. All you or a friend has to do is strip down from “winter clothes” to a single layer of clothing on video in less than 12 seconds. Not coincidentally, the dozen seconds are how long it takes to flip the Wind’s lid and go from closed coupe to open-top roadster.

Of course, it’s not as simple as just shedding some clothes… because plenty of people will beat the timeline. Renault is also looking for some creativity in what the contestants wear, where they strip or who accompanies them. In order to encourage some spontaneity, Renault is even offering up a couple display screens in London and Manchester with a timer and the car opening up.

Once entrants have finished their videos, they can upload them to www.12secondstrip.co.uk or YouTube for judging. The winners will be selected by panel of judges after the contest closes on September 30. Want to get to strippin’ yourself? Click past the break for all the details.

2011 Renault Latitude brings back conventional style to premium segment

Through much of the last decade, Renault’s product lineup lived up to the long-standing French reputation for peculiar design. This was particularly true of its flagship model, the bizarre looking five-door hatchback Vel Satis. That unsuccessful model is now set to be replaced by a much more conventional looking four-door sedan dubbed the Latitude.

The Latitude is built on a stretched version of the mid-sized Laguna platform and shares its powertrain options, including the new 3.0-liter diesel V6. Most of the car is common with the Renault-Samsung SM5 sedan that went on sale in South Korea recently and he new sedan spans an additional 1.2 inches bumper to bumper than the Vel Satis, while sitting four inches lower.

The public will get its first opportunity to see the Latitude in person at the Moscow Motor Show and then again at the Paris Motor Show in September before it goes on sale in North Africa, Asia, Australia and Eastern Europe this fall. Western Europeans will have to wait until early next year to get the Latitude.

New Renault Wind Coupe-Roadster Priced from £15,500 in the UK

Renault’s UK division has released pricing and specification details for its Wind Coupé-Roadster. Customer ordering for the Wind, which is offered with the choice of two engines, a 133HP 1.6-liter or a 100HP 1.2-liter turbo, opens in May for first deliveries in July with prices ranging from £15,500 to £18,200.

In addition, the new two-seater model will be available to pre-order later in April in an exclusive, range-topping “Collection” limited edition guise, of which only 200 examples will make their way to Britain.

The standard range is offered in two trim levels. The base Dynamique comes equipped with ABS with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), front and lateral driver and passenger airbags, brake assist, ESC, immobiliser and electric retracting hard top roof as standard

Renault's Megane R26.R Up to 3 Seconds Faster than the 300HP Focus RS at UK Tracks

According to Renault, the most potent version of the previous generation Megane RS, the 230HP R26.R that went on sale in October 2008 for a limited run of 450 examples, 230 of which are destined for Britain, has set new benchmark lap times at four UK tracks. The French carmaker announced that at Silverstone, Drivers-Republic recorded a lap time of 1 minute and 19.4 sec, almost three seconds faster than the more powerful Ford Focus RS that is equipped with a 300HP 2.5-liter turbocharged five pot while at the West Circuit at Bedford Autodrome, Evo magazine timed the R26.R at 1m 29 sec beating the RS by almost two seconds.

At Bruntingthorpe, Performance Car said that it timed the R26.R faster than the Focus RS, the Subaru Impreza STi Type UK and found it even faster than a 360hp Revo-tuned Seat Leon Cupra. Finally, at Millbrook, Autocar magazine recorded a time of 1min and 15.6 seconds, a second faster than the Focus RS.

Renault Twingo CC: Sporty Two-Seater Speedster Spied

The auto industry might be in a slump lately, but there are still plenty of new cars being readied for launch in 2010. This pint-size speedster is the Renault Twingo CC and it is aimed at the likes of the Opel Tigra and Peugeot 207 Coupe-Cabriolet. The drop-top variant of the new Twingo will be equipped with a one-piece retractable hardtop that stows away in the rear luggage compartment. It remains to be seen if the top will rotate (like the Ferrari 575 M Superamerica) or if it will slide to the back as recently reported in French media.

The heavy camouflaged prototype leaves a lot to the imagination when it comes to the Twingo CC’s exterior appearance, but sources suggest that it will be more radical in design than any of its competitors.

New Renault Scenic MPV Priced from £13,595 in the UK

French carmaker Renault has revealed detailed pricing for its all-new Scenic model. The five-seater MPV that will officially go on sale in the UK on July 17th will be available in 28 different versions spread across five-trim levels (Extreme, Expression, Dynamique, TomTom Edition and Privilège), with prices ranging from £13,595 to £22,295. Renault claims that depending on the version, the new Scenic costs up to £2,060 less than its predecessor and that it is priced to undercut all of its key rivals. UK buyers can choose between eight differnet engines at launch including three gasoline and five diesel units, ranging from 86HP to 160HP.

Renault Laguna Hatch and Sport Tourer Launched in Britain

Renault has released UK pricing on the updated Laguna 2010 Laguna Hatch and Sport Tourer models that range from £16,795 to £25,650. Available to order from 1st June, the 2010 Laguna benefits from several new equipment features and a revised line up that sees the Dynamic and the new TomTom Edition gaining a more aggressive styling thanks to the GT front bumper with air intakes, black surround headlights, smoked rear lights, pearl black door mirrors and chrome exhaust tailpipes. Furthermore, all interiors across the range have been upgraded with new colors and satin paint finish on the center console and inserts.

SECMA F16: Cheap Thrills French Roadster Finds its Way to Germany

Already on sale in France and the UK since , the tiny French built SEMCA F16 roadster has now arrived in Germany with prices starting from €17,990 or the US equivalent of $24,400. The diminutive roadster which looks like a cross between an Ariel Atom, a KTM X-Bow and a beach buggy is powered by a rear-mounted Renault-source 1.6-liter gasoline engine producing 105 horsepower that is hooked up to a five-speed manual gearbox driving the rear wheels.

But don’t let the low output fool you as the 2,750mm (108.3-in.) long sports car weighs in at just 564kg or 1,243 pounds which translates to a power to weight ratio of 5.4kg/hp. SEMCA claims that the F16 can sprint from rest to 60mph (96km/h) in only 5.5 seconds while the roadster tops out at 110mph or 177km/h.

New Kangoo Be Bop ZE Plug-In EV Previews Tech to be Used on 2010 Nissan and 2011 Renault EVs

Renault took advantage of the Annual General Meeting of its shareholders today in Paris, France, to unwrap a more production-like version of its Kangoo Be Bop Z.E. concept that was first seen at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. What’s really significant about this new prototype is that it features technology very similar to what will be used on the first all-electric Nissan vehicle due to be launched in the USA and Japan in 2010 and the rest of the world from 2012, as well as the equivalent Renault EVs in 2011, beginning with a family saloon in Israel, and a utility version of New Kangoo in Europe.

Derived from the production Kangoo Be Bop, the Z.E. (short for Zero Emissions) is powered solely by a 44kW (60HP) electric motor that revs to 12,000rpm and is coupled to a reducer which replaces the traditional gearbox.

Renault Launches Megane Sport Tourer in the UK

Following its world premiere earlier in the year at the Geneva motor show, the new Megane Sport Tourer has arrived in Renault’s UK showrooms with customer deliveries starting in November. At launch, the range includes 21 models, spread across four trim levels – Expression, Dynamique, TomTom Edition and Privilege, with prices ranging between £15,485£22,785 on-the-road, while a further trim level, Extreme, will follow in the autumn.

The entry-level Expression trim comes with several standard features including 4x15W RDS radio CD, air conditioning, front and rear curtain airbags, ESP, folding front passenger seat, front and rear electric windows, keyless car with Renault card and longitudinal chrome roof bars.

Renault Fluence: New Compact Sedan for Russia, Turkey and Romania, and perhaps the US as a Saturn

Remember Renault’s 2004 Fluence concept car that inspired the styling of the Laguna Coupe? Well, the only common denominator between the sexy prototype (see pics below) and this compact-sized sedan is their name… Virtually a rebadged version of the Korean market Samsung SM3 that was revealed earlier this year, the Fluence is the sedan variant of the Megane and it will be initially sold only in Russia, Romania and Turkey.

There’s also a chance that we may see Renault’s VW Jetta-sized sedan heading towards the States as a Saturn if the American brand’s new owner, Penske Automotive Group, closes a proposed deal with the French automaker.

Renault Zoe Z.E.: Funky All Electric Supermini Bows in Frankfurt

Proving that electric cars can be fun, at least in theory, Renault took the wraps off its second all-electric showcar in Frankfurt after the Fluence Z.E, the Zoe Z.E. which is a compact-sized, four seater supermini with scissor doors at the front and butterfly doors at the rear. The funky looking French concept is motivated by a 70kW / 93 horsepower electric motor with the lithium-ion batteries promising to offer a driving range of around 100 miles or 160 kilometers.

The Zoe Z.E. also gets massive 21-inch alloy wheels and a retractable rear spoiler for greater aerodynamic efficiency while the photovoltaic cells on the rooftop recover solar energy to power the climate control system that has been co-developed with L’Oréa and features ‘hydrating’, ‘detox’ and ‘active scent’ spray functions -all for the sake of beauty…

Renault Adds Back-to-Basics Cup Version to Twingo RS 133HP Range

The Cup version of the Twingo RenaultSport 133 is the latest model to join Renault’s UK lineup. While keeping the same 133 horsepower 1.6-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine as its sister model, the Twingo RS Cup does without air conditioning, automatic headlamp and wiper operation, extra tinted rear windows and features a one-piece bench in place of the usual independent sliding rear seats. What it does come equipped with is the Cup chassis pack that is a £650 option on the regular 133.

The Cup chassis lowers the mini’s ride height by 4mm and features sportier damper settings and 10 percent stiffer front and rear spring rates while riding on 17-inch alloy wheels fitted with Continental Sport Contact3 195/40 tires. Gloss black finish is available for the Cup 17-inch alloys wheels at £175.

2011 Renault Clio Supermini Illustrations Based on Leaked Designs

The new, fourth generation Renault Clio may still be far way from production but that hasn’t deterred magazines from speculating on the supermini’s appearance. In one of its latest issues, French car magazine Autoplus has published a series of artist’s renditions of the 2011 Clio that are said to based on some allegedly official grainy black-and-white designs that were leaked online earlier this year.

The computer generated images suggest a more dramatic styling with ‘swoopier’ lines and a bolder face for Renault’s Ford Fiesta and Citroen C3 rival. As is the case with many of these future car renditions, there’s no way of being sure about how close or not they are to the actual production model.

Renault Announces UK Pricing for Hardcore Megane RenaultSport 250 and RS 250 CUP

Renault’s UK division has revealed pricing for its hottest-ever RenaultSport Megane hatch. Offered in two versions, the more hardcore 250 Cup at £21,995 and the 250 with more equipment at £22,995, the new car will be available for order on 1st November with first deliveries set to take place in January, 2010. Both variants of the Megane RS (that’s short for RenaultSport) are fitted with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 250HP at 5,500 rpm and 340Nm of peak torque at 3,000 rpm.

The engine drives the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox, with Renault claiming a 0-100km/h (62mph) time of 6.1 seconds and the 1,000-metre standing start said to be covered in 25.7 seconds.

Renault Confirms Production of All-Electric Twizy and Zoe Z.E., Sales Start in 2011

Apparently, Nissan’s partner Renault wasn’t kidding when it said that it would go ahead and produce the four all-electric concept models that it displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Today, the French automaker not only (re)confirmed production of the futuristic looking Twizy Z.E. city car (for Zero Emission) and the funky Zoe Z.E. sporty supermini, but it also revealed the plants where the two cars will be built.

First up is the Twizy Z.E. based 1+1 seater that will be manufactured at Renault’s Valladolid factory in Spain from 2011. Even though we find it hard to believe, it is said that the production version will remain extremely close to the concept model that is powered by an electric motor that makes 15kW (20HP) and 70Nm of torque and drives the rear wheels.

Renault to Revive Gordini Badge on its RS Hot Hatches

If you thought Renault’s naming system for its sporty hatches was already ridiculous with the RenaultSport (…and horsepower) moniker wait until the French firm launches a new line of models that will revive the Gordini nameplate. See, instead of replacing the RenaultSport name, the Gordini badge will be used on more premium and chic versions of the automaker’s hot hatches that will benefit from specific cosmetic and equipment upgrades – but not from any kind of mechanical tweaks.

And that despite the fact that the iconic nameplate was once used on the Renault 8 Gordini rally car of the mid 1960s which later on gave birth to a 1300cc version for the Gordini Cup one-make race series.

Dacia Reveals Competition Version of Low-Cost 2010 Duster SUV Equipped with 350HP V6

Dacia, or to be precise, its parent company Renault, has released the first photos and technical information on a competition version of the Romanian brand’s forthcoming Duster, an affordable 4×4 that will be officially revealed at next year’s Geneva Show. Earlier this year, a set of photos depicting the 2010 Duster SUV without a single trace of camouflage, made their way onto the interwebs revealing the 4×4 in all its glory.

It goes without saying that the competition version of Dacia Duster, which was developed by Renault Sport Technologies, and the actual production model have nothing in common other than the exterior silhouette, and the front and rear fascias.

Renault to Produce Electric Fluence Sedan at Bursa Plant in Turkey from 2011

Having already confirmed the production versions of the Twizy and Zoe Z.E. electric concept cars, Renault today announced that the third member of its new family of EVs, the all-electric Fluence sedan, which was also presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show this past September, will be manufactured at the OYAK-Renault Bursa plant in Turkey. The French automaker said that it plans to launch the Fluence EV first in Israel and Denmark, followed by other countries, from the first half of 2011.