New Renault Symbol – Thalia Sedan to Debut at Moscow Show

Renault has released the first official photos of the new-generation Thalia sedan that will also be called Symbol in some markets when it goes on sale later this year. The French automaker’s low-cost sedan is based on a stretched version of the Clio hatchback’s platform and it measures 4.26 metres in length and 1.43 metres in height.

While few (if any) of our readers will disagree with us when we say that the Thalia / Symbol is one ugly duckling, Renault’s press release talks about “harmonious styling which is worthy of that of a prestigious saloon” and “a new three-box car that boasts expressive lines and seductive appeal.” Apparently the author either had one too many cognacs or was looking at another car at the time he wrote the press release. -Continued

The new Thalia / Symbol will make its debut at the forthcoming Moscow Auto Show in Russia which opens its doors to the public on August 26. According to Renault, it will be sold in Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, Turkey and the Maghreb (Northern Africa) countries.

Fifth Gear Video: MINI Cooper S JCW vs Renault Clio RS Cup

In this episode Fifth Gear compares two of Europe’s hottest superminis, the 208HP MINI Cooper S JCW and the 197HP Renault Clio RS Cup to find out which is the most rewarding car to drive. Along with the usual race track lap, Fifth Gear's journalists also perform an unconventional test in a tight circuit. Find out who wins in the video after the jump. -Continued

Via: Autoblog.it

Renault UK Announces Pricing on Clio Sport Tourer

The eloquently named estate version of Renault’s Clio supermini has arrived on UK shores with prices starting from £12,095 for the 1.2 16V 75 to £14,495 for the dCi 106. The Clio Sport Tourer is offered with a choice of three petrol (75Hp 1.2, 100Hp 1.2 Turbo & 11Hp 1.6) and two diesel engines (1.5dCi 86 and 106Hp). According to Renault, the Clio Sport Tourer is ideal for those who want the space and practicality of an estate car with the compact dimensions of a city car. -Pricing and pics after the jump

Prices for the Clio Sport Tourer Dynamique are:

Model	Price	Insurance Group
1.2 16V 75	£12,095	2E
1.2 TCe 100	£12,795	4E
1.6 VVT 111 Auto	£14,195	5E
dCi 86	£13,745	3E
dCi 106	£14,495	5E

Final Renault Clio RS 197 F1 Team R27 Rolls off Production Line

The 500th and final Renault Clio RenaultSport 197 F1 Team R27 (we’re not joking; that’s its full name…) rolled of the production line at the Renaultsport factory at Dieppe in Northern France. The limited-edition Clio RS was launched in April and featured the new Cup chassis setting with a lowered ride height and stiffer springs and dampers. Just 500 were produced for the UK market. -Continued

The last model was produced in a one-off colour of Glacier White and it will be given to a member of the Community section of Renaultsport.co.uk site, James Brookes. According to Renault, Brookes is a keen owner of a Clio Renaultsport 172 Cup and wanted a 197 F1 Team R27. His family were all passionate Renaultsport enthusiasts; his brother Will with a Clio and his father Steve working at the Renault Dealership Wests of Bedford. Tragically Will passed away in an accident in September and David Lee, a friend of the family, approached Renault through the Community section to see if a one-off car could be produced for James in memory of his brother. Renaultsport was pleased to help and the very last R27 was built in the one-off colour.

The Clio for James is being delivered this month though Wests of Bedford. James said, “I am overwhelmed by all the support that has been given to make this happen and would like to say special thanks to all at Renault. In particular, I’d like to say thank you to my friend David Lee who put the idea to Renault in the first place. This is a very special car, built in memory of a very special person and it will be enjoyed as he would have wished.”

Renault Clio RS "World Series": New Basic Version Inaugurates Improved Gearbox

To coincide with the World Series by Renault meeting at France’s Magny-Cours racetrack that took place last week, Renault introduced a new base version of its acclaimed Clio Renault Sport (RS) that undercuts the standard models price by €1,300 - $1,840 in France. Before we get into any details, allow us to enlighten you with the full name of Renault’s 2.0-liter & 200Hp GTi: Renault Clio Renault Sport World Series by Renault. Talk about a self centered company… -Continued after the jump

Apart form the lower price tag (€21,900 or $31,000 in France) which has been achieved by removing various standard features (there’s no AC, curtain airbags, radio or fog lights), the signature edition features distinctive black satin-finish wheels, dark anthracite hubcaps, and special “World Series By Renault” décor. The “World Series By Renault” Clio Renault Sport (…) is available in a choice of three opaque colors (glacier white, dynamo blue, toro red) and two metal colours (profond black, monako blue).

Notably, the Clio RS WSR (that sounds much better) debuts a revised version of the Renault-Nissan developed, TL4 six-speed manual transmission which features a new gearbox staging On the fifth and sixth gears, the staging has been extended to improve vehicle acoustics, under motorway driving conditions in particular. This gearbox adaptation will be carried across to all Clio Renault Sport versions from October.

Via: Diariomotor , Source: Renault

This new signature edition extends the Clio Renault Sport range:

• “World Series By Renault” Clio Renault Sport €21,900
• Clio Renault Sport €23,200
• Clio Renault Sport Luxe €25,200
• Clio F1 Team R27 €24,700

Exterior styling

• Foglamps -Option
• Foglamp blanking caps -Standard
• Door handles in textured black finish -Standard
• Cup wheels in black satin finish -Standard
• Dark anthracite wheels (with Cup chassis) -Option
• Side strips in textured black finish -Standard
• Wing mirrors in textured black finish -Standard

Comfort

• Three-place rear seat (with 1/3 - 2/3 configuration) -Standard
• Manual air conditioning -Option
• Electric wing mirrors -Option
• Electric front windows -Standard
• Radio pre-equipment -Standard
• 2x15W radio with separate display and steering wheel controls -Option
• Rear window wiper -Standard
• F1 tool kit (without jack) -Standard
• Single ceiling light at front -Standard

Interior design

• Dashboard in dark carbon -Standard
• Dashboard trim in satin chrome finish -Standard
• Door panels in dark carbon -Standard
• Door handles in textured black finish -Standard
• Single-tone horn -Standard
• Cup chassis -Option
• Renault Sport front seats -Standard
• Recaro seats -Option
• Dynamique steering wheel without cruise control & speed limiter -Standard

Safety

• Thorax airbags -Standard
• Curtain airbags -Option
• Rear seatbelts with pretensioner -Option

2008 Renault Clio Estate: Frankfurt Premier For Clio SW

The new Renault Clio Estate is the production version of the Clio Grand Tour Concept previewed at the Geneva Motor Show back in March. Apart from the addition of a set of rear doors, the Estate’s appearance is toned down compared to the 3door concept (see pics after the jump) so as to appeal to a more conservative base of buyers. According to Renault’s Spartan press release, the 4,2 metre long Clio Estate features a boot capacity of 439 liters. -Click "Read More..." for the teaser press release

Clio Estate at the Frankfurt Motor Show

Clio Estate will receive its world premiere at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. Its design echoes the staple lines of Clio Grand Tour Concept, which was unveiled at the last Geneva Motor Show.

Clio Estate is firmly focused on leisure pursuits. It strikes a perfect balance between sleek design with its angled rear screen and spaciousness with the generous volumes of its luggage area (439 dm3 VDA).

At 4.2 metres in length it is a compact vehicle that builds on the strengths of Clio III in terms of driving pleasure, interior space, comfort, and safety.

Europe’s Top 10 best selling cars in 2006: GM’s Opel Astra knocked the VW Golf off the top spot!

GM might be having serious issues here and there but in Europe, things are starting to look promising to say the least. GM’s subsidiary Opel, not only swerved pass Renault to take the second place overall in the European market for 2006 –despite a 2,3% drop in sales, but its Astra model also managed to knock VW’s Golf off the top spot and become Europe’s best seller for 2006.

While rival VW must be pleased not only for maintaining first place but also for broadening the difference with the competition, I’m sure that they are quite unhappy with the fact that the Golf slipped from 1st place to 4th. On the contrary, Renault must feel very proud for its new Clio hatch (+28,0%) but not for its overall performance as sales dropped by 12,6%.

Fiat on its behalf recorded the largest increase in sales from the top 10 group with an 18.7% rise in sales, mainly due to its well-received Grande Punto hatch, which saw its sales double in 2006.

Finally, even though Toyota managed to rank 9th overall, there’s not one Asian model in Europe’s Top 10 best sellers list. In my opinion that won’t happen neither in 2007, but don’t be surprised if Toyota surpasses Citroen or Fiat (though less probable due to the introduction of the Bravo) at the end of the year.Via: Jato Dynamics

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