New Renaults (5/7) - Finally something to DeZir?... (Post #47)

[homeforsummer]

Another issue of iMotor landed in my inbox this morning and with it came news of the new Megane 3dr:

Sacrebleu! If you are wondering why these pictures of the new 3-door Renault Megane Coupé look a bit ropey it's because they were obtained from the European Patent Office ahead of the car's official unveiling in Paris.
iMotor

That's all they had to say on the matter, so unfortunately no more info as yet. Engines, I'd expect, will be the familiar line-up from the current model, undoubtably with some fancy diesels in there too. Here are the pictures though, print-screened from the mag:

It's a handsome looking thing, especially in profile, and the rear has a hint of Alfa Brera and current Astra 3dr to it, in my opinion. I'm not sure on the front - it's typically recent-Renault, but I'd prefer a bit more cohesion to it., maybe a bit prettier.

 

[Sniffs]

welp, they got rid of the bustle-butt, but I can't say I like the replacement one bit. looks like they tacked someone else's front end on the butt and put taillight lenses in for the headlights

 

[Jim Prower]

Has a very...clay-model appearance to it.

 

[TheCracker]

Dullsville. Why can't they make small hatchback-based coupes look like coupes anymore - instead of slightly reclined 3-door hatchbacks?

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

I don't like the front end, but then again I was never a fan of Renault's styling.....

 

[Muzaffar]

Well I found more "appealing" photos of the Megane.

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-renault-megane/
Definitely looks better than that clay model......

Also I found this:
Renaultsport Megane III

 

[homeforsummer]

Well I found more "appealing" photos of the Megane.

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-renault-megane/
Definitely looks better than that clay model......

That's the 5-door... those shots have been around for a few weeks now

Also I found this:
Renaultsport Megane III

Now that is better. Looks pretty mean already... and quite like the Clio.

@ Jim, I think it looks like a clay model because it probably is a clay model If it's something they've submitted to the patent office then that's likely what it is.

 

[Jim Prower]

That's what I was hinting at.

 

[YSSMAN]

I like it, and as a car that appears to be "splitting the difference" between the Scirocco and the Golf, they stand to do well.

 

[homeforsummer]

Wasn't sure whether to put this in the gaming or automotive section, but I suppose it's perfectly relevant here and we get some good views of the Coupe!

New Coupe to appear in NFS:Undercover

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/10/new-renault-megane-coupe-featured-in.html

Sharing the (virtual) tarmac with the likes of the 2009 Nissan 370Z, Audi R8, and Porsche 911 GT2 in EA's new video game, Need for Speed (NFS) Undercover, will be the 2009 Renault Megane Coupe that was recently unveiled at the Paris Motor Show. The latest edition of NFS which launches in Europe on 21 November will give "couch-drivers" the chance to take the French marque's stylish three-door hatchback for a spin around the so-called Tri-City Bay Area during their undercover operations. We would have preferred the RWD competition Megane Coupe V6, but guess you can't have it all.

Pics:





And a vid!:



Looks like fun. I like the game series, but it's nice to see more of the new Megane Coupe, the styling definitely works to my eyes - much better than the hatch.

 

[Jim Prower]

Makes one wonder what sort of hideous tuning they'll let you apply...

 

[homeforsummer]

I've been forgetting to update this thread of late, but anyways...

Renaultsport Clio 200 Cup

Renault’s roadgoing race car is back, and it looks better than ever! With sublime handling and great engines, previous Renaultsport Clios have already claimed their places in the hot hatch hall of fame. But can the French firm improve what was already a winning formula?

As the new name suggests, reworking the 2.0-litre motor has resulted in an extra helping of horsepower… all 3bhp of it. Maximum torque of 215Nm is now delivered at 5,400rpm – 150rpm lower than in the Clio 197 – while first, second and third gears have been shortened to improve acceleration. Fuel economy and CO2 emissions show a slight improvement too, at 34.5mpg and 195g/km.

Customers can choose between Sport and Cup chassis. The former puts the emphasis on comfort and throws in more standard kit, while the Cup is engineered for uncompromised driving pleasure.

A lower ride height, 15 per cent stiffer dampers than the current Clio 197 and a quicker steering rack ensures the Cup-spec car feels alive in your hands. But it’s not just for experts – the chassis is beautifully forgiving. Charge into a corner too fast, and a sharp lift of the throttle wipes off the understeer and tightens your line – it really is
a flattering car to drive fast.

A rear diffuser, front splitter and boot spoiler not only help to build downforce at speed, but give the car its trademark racy styling. New additions include a revised front end with lower front air intake, new lights and a gloss-black grille. If that’s not enough to get you noticed, the Alien green paint certainly will!

If creature comforts are your thing, look away now: the Cup interior is the same as the entry-level Clio’s. All you get is electric windows and a simple stereo – there’s not even air-conditioning. But it does help shave 36kg off the kerbweight, and keeps the price tag low at £15,750. For that sort of money, nothing comes close to offering the Clio’s dynamics.

Rival: Vauxhall Corsa VXR
Performance from the VXR’s 1.6-litre turbo engine is strong, but much of the power is spun away through the front wheels. It can’t match the Clio’s handling finesse, but its brash styling will turn more heads

Source: Auto Express

Save for the Laguna Coupe, I've not been keen on any new Renaults for a good few years now, though the Clio remains a decent-looking car, and the RS 200 Cup is proof Renault can still do the hot hatch thing better than anyone else.

And I feel I might be in a minority, but I really like the re-style of the front-end. It looks very French, and is the least effeminate Clio since the first Clio V6, I reckon.

 

[Jondot]

I can't stand what they've done to the Clio. It's gone from being a handsome, chic little thing to looking like Kermit the Frog wearing a gum-shield.

In fact I don't think I like any of the current Renaults, except maybe the Laguna. I mean they're alright, just rather forgettable. The new Megane, for example, looks like a frigging Vauxhall. And I don't know what came over them about 2 years ago, when they went and 'facelifted' everything, somehow managing to remove any interesting detail whatsoever.

Take the Modus as an example.

Pre facelift, it was a cute-looking thing:

Post facelift, it's just underwhelming:

What were you thinking, Renault?!

 

[homeforsummer]

As mentioned, I actually prefer the front of the new Renaultsport Clio to that of the old one (the bog-standard clio has received a slightly different facelift, or at least is entirely colour-coded, and doesn't look right). It's a bit more distinctive and reminds me of older Renault hot hatches - often a bit quirky, but always very good.

I agree with you about the rest of the range though. The Renaultsport Twingo looks okay but the others are dull, they ruined the Modus with the facelift, the Megane looks weird but not distinctive-weird like the old one (of which the coupe-cabrio still looks good), the Scenic and Koleos are dull, the Laguna hatch is dull (though the sport-tourer looks good in blue) and the Espace looks okay for an MPV... but it's still an MPV.

The Renaultsport Megane 250 has something about it though, which is just re-enforcing my opinion that the best Renaults by far are still the hot-hatches:

 

[Northstar]

Looks ok except for the one exhaust in the middle, I never liked that look and never will.

 

[Jondot]

The Renaultsport Megane 250 has something about it though, which is just re-enforcing my opinion that the best Renaults by far are still the hot-hatches:

I think you're spot on there. I mean have you seen the standard Clio front end?

*Shudder*

 

[Leonidae]

Oh no.. they SEATed the Clio sport?

 

[Omnis]

The Renaultsport Megane 250 has something about it though, which is just re-enforcing my opinion that the best Renaults by far are still the hot-hatches:

Wow. Hard to believe that it shares its name with this:

 

[Jim Prower]

And yet, I can almost see the semblance when we get here...

Personally, I think this backtrack on their french funk is a result of going too far. I rather like the facelifted cars. But, then again, I don't get any of them.

 

[homeforsummer]

You've just posted my favourite Renault ever, Jim. Maxi Meganes aren't just made of win, they contain so much win that you have to fuel them up with billions of microscopic Chuck Norris'.

Wow. Hard to believe that it shares its name with this:

Image no worky. Didn't even work when I pasted the image link into the address bar. Which model are you referring to?

 

[Jim Prower]

Megane II

 

[YSSMAN]

Magnificent! Too bad it isn't Renault buying out Chrysler, I'd love to get my hands on one of the newer models. But, I'll settle for a MiTo and 500.

 

[homeforsummer]

You never know, with the amount of births, marriages and deaths in the car industry at the moment it wouldn't surprise me to see some of the French marques coming back to the States.

 

[Danny]

I actually really like the direction Renault is going. 👍

 

[Anghammarad]

If they could just improve the overall quality of the cars.

 

[homeforsummer]

There's nothing wrong with modern Renaults in terms of quality. Many magazine tests consider them not far off VWs now. Reliability and dealer care, on the other hand...

 

[Anghammarad]

There's nothing wrong with modern Renaults in terms of quality. Many magazine tests consider them not far off VWs now. Reliability and dealer care, on the other hand...

I don't know what you consider modern but my Megane Touring 2005 has been nothing but trouble since I bought it new and Renaults are at the very bottom of the table when it comes to customer satisfaction in the yearly survey of both of the major swedish car magazines as well as in the statistics from the state vehicle inspection. I know no one who is satisfied with the quality of their new Renaults. They are cheap cars that are even cheaper made.

What is quality if not reliability?

 

[homeforsummer]

What is quality if not reliability?

Build. Feel. Fit and finish. Materials. Paint quality. Lack of squeaks and rattles.

There are just a few things. You'll notice I didn't try to say they were reliable or that they were good - in fact if you re-read my post you'll see I mention the opposite. But in terms of quality they're as good or better than most other mainstream brands at the moment. They've made a huge improvement in that department in the last five years.

 

[slowman]

Minus the GREEN color, the Clio on the previous page is an appealing little hot hatch.

 

[YSSMAN]

Build. Feel. Fit and finish. Materials. Paint quality. Lack of squeaks and rattles.

Sounds like a VW. Just, minus the reliability.