Showing posts with label Renault. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Renault. Show all posts

Thursday, March 17, 2011

2010 RENAULT Megane Estate

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The Renault Mégane family has been extended to include a new model which features its own distinct personality: New Renault Mégane Estate. New Renault Mégane Estate boasts vast carrying capacity and could hardly be more driverfriendly, while its dynamic, elegant lines give it undeniable sporting appeal. The newcomer boasts a raft of high-tech equipment, too, including Carminat TomTom®, a new, fullyintegrated satnav system for a pioneering price of less than €500. Compared with New Renault Mégane Hatchback, the extended wheelbase and rear overhang have freed up additional cabin space for occupants, as well as extra carrying capacity. New Renault Mégane Estate comes with a wide choice of engines which combine performance and respect for the environment, including the new TCe 130 petrol unit.
 
DYNAMIC STYLING
In addition to its dynamic looks, New Renault Mégane Estate has a distinctive character and lives up to the pledge made at the time of the hatchback version's release that every member of the New Renault Mégane family would have its own, clear-cut personality.

New Renault Mégane Estate features identical front-end styling to that of the hatchback version, including the characteristic lines that swoop down from the windscreen pillars to converge on the logo at the centre of the bonnet. Seen from the side, however, New Renault Mégane Estate is very different thanks to its extended wheelbase compared with the hatchback version (+62mm). The newcomer's total length (4,558mm) is also 263mm longer than that of New Renault Mégane Hatchback, and its width stands at 1,808mm. Following this increase in wheelbase and rear overhang, special care has been taken to maintain balanced, dynamic proportions: the slope of the roofline, the steeply-raked rear screen and the elongated, rearward-sweeping side windows give New Renault Mégane Estate an elegant, racy profile, and these fluid lines are set off by the longitudinal roof bars.

The broad shoulders exude sporting appeal and an impression of robustness reinforced by the car's generous forms and low positioning of the side protective mouldings. New Mégane Estate's unique character is further expressed by features such as its rear light clusters and the form of the rear screen, the bottom edge of which picks out the Renault logo.

Special attention has been paid to perceived quality thanks to a careful choice of forms and materials. In the cabin, the accent has been on the durability and quality of the materials - which have been selected to be pleasant to the touch - and on exemplary fit-and-finish.

Thanks to its generous dimensions and elegant, dynamic styling, New Renault Mégane Estate exudes sporting appeal without detracting in any way from its user-friendliness or carrying capacity.

PRATICAL AND TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED
New Renault Mégane Estate's boot volume of 524dm3 (up to parcel shelf) ranks it among the best in its segment. Total carrying capacity can be extended up to 1,595dm3 with the rear benchseat fully folded, while access to the boot is facilitated by its low sill height: 561mm, the lowest of its segment.

In addition to its generous proportions, New Renault Mégane Estate's boot is practical, too, and gives owners the ability to divide it into two separate zones: one large compartment, and a smaller compartment at the rear which enables the boot's layout to be adapted to the needs of the moment.

For example, a small item can easily be slipped into the smaller compartment, which has the double advantage of preventing it from sliding about and ensuring that it is readily accessible. Two additional stowage bins are available under the floor of the rearmost compartment.

Tipping the front passenger seat and rear benchseat forward enables items of up to 2,550mm in length to be carried. To facilitate the loading of lengthy objects, the foremost part of the boot floor is raised when the rear benchseat is folded to produce a single, uninterrupted surface. This clever feature frees up space for the baggage cover in a compartment underneath the boot floor behind the rear seats.

Rear passengers also profit from the extended wheelbase since they benefit from comfortable kneeroom of 218mm.

The driver, meanwhile, will appreciate the comfortable, practical driving environment. Front elbow room figures among the segment's best at 1,476mm, and the height-adjustable driver's seat travels through a segment-topping 70mm.

Like New Renault Mégane Hatchback and New Renault Mégane Coupé, the New Renault Mégane Estate catalogue features a raft of equipment, most of which is more commonly associated with the next segment up:
hands-free card with automatic central locking when the driver walks away from the car,automatic parking brake,dual-zone automatic climate control with three temperature adjustment modes (Soft-Auto-Fast),directional bi-Xenon headlamps,innovative combined digital/analogue instrument display,new colour-coded interface for the cruise control with speed limiter,customization of the activation and adjustment of certain functions (daytime running lights, volume of audible parking proximity sensor warning),3D Sound by Arkamys® audio system,connectivity: standard RCA socket and optional "Plug & Music" system (USB and jack connections).

PRECISE, REASSURING ROADHOLDING
All the handling-related enhancements seen on New Renault Mégane Hatchback have been carried over to New Renault Mégane Estate Technically, New Renault Mégane Estate shares the same genes as the rest of the New Mégane family, including MacPherson-type front suspension combined with a horned subframe, plus a closedsection torsion beam at the rear, while New Renault Mégane Estate's extended wheelbase also contributes to its remarkable stability. The electric power steering has been entirely revised for enhanced response and driving comfort thanks to more reliable feedback of information from the road. Together, these improvements ensure a precise, reassuring ride and best-level cornering stability.

New Renault Mégane Estate is available with a wide choice of powerplants, including three diesel engines that boast CO2 emissions of less than or equal to 120g/km. The petrol engine line-up comprises six powertrains, including the new TCe 130 engine which is available from launch. Developed within the framework of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, the TCe 130 showcases the expertise that the brand has acquired in the field known as downsizing. This 1.4-litre unit boasts the torque of a 2-litre engine and the power of a 1.8, yet its CO2 emissions are less than those of a 1.6. The TCe 130 also figures at the top-end of its class in terms of running and maintenance costs. Its reliable, durable timing chain favours acoustic comfort, while oil change intervals are every 30,000km (or every two years).

New Renault Mégane Estate can also be ordered with 100hp and 110hp 1.6 litre engines that drive through manual five- or six-speed gearboxes respectively. In certain markets, this engine is available in a bioethanol-compatible version.

The 2.0 140hp engine is available with gearshift-free CVT (continuously variable transmission) for even greater driving comfort.

The petrol engine line-up is rounded off by the TCe 180, an evolution of the 2.0 block which combines outstanding response with outstanding flexibility at low revs.

The extensive range of diesel engines available for New Renault Mégane Estate illustrates the ongoing work Renault continues to put in to ensure that its customers profit from the market's best trade-off between performance and fuel consumption, as well as lower running and maintenance costs and longer servicing intervals.

The 1.5 litre dCi engine comes in a choice of four power outputs, with or without a particulate filter (dCi 85, dCi 90 DPF, dCi 105 and dCi 110 DPF). In addition to their sprightly performance, all these engines stand out through their low CO2 emissions (118g/km for the dCi 85 and dCi 90 DPF, 120g/km for the dCi 105).

The dCi 130 engine, which is also available with or without a particulate filter, is the only engine of its class to claim CO2 emissions of less than 140g/km, which consequently qualifies it for tax incentives in certain countries.

The dCi 90 DPF, dCi 105, dCi 110 DPF, dCi 130 and dCi 130 DPF engines all figure among the best in their class in terms of running and maintenance costs, with oil changes recommended every 30,000km (or two years) and timing belt changes every 160,000km. The particulate filters now benefit from a lifetime warranty.

The diesel engine range is topped by the 2.0 dCi which is available in a choice of power outputs, namely 160hp (mated to a manual six-speed gearbox) or a 150hp version with six-speed automatic transmission that will become available in the course of the second half of 2009).

NEW RENAULT MEGANE ESTATE PROFITS FULLY FROM RENAULT'S QUALITY AND SAFETY EXPERTISE
Like all the members of the new Mégane family, New Renault Mégane Estate has been designed to deliver impeccable passive and active safety. A long list of equipment is available to help drivers anticipate risk situations:
seatbelt reminder warning lights for all five seats,tyre pressure monitoring system,bi-Xenon headlamps with cornering lights,automatic headlamp activation,automatic windscreen wiper activation,cruise control with speed limiter.

New Renault Mégane Estate is equipped with the full range of driver aids: ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency brake assist and ESC with understeer control.

New Renault Mégane Estate also comes with the same passive safety features and systems that helped New Renault Mégane Hatchback score the maximum possible score of 37 points (from 37) in the EuroNCAP crash tests, namely a programmed deformation structure combined with the third-generation Renault System for Restraint and Protection (SRP3) which affords best-level protection in accidents for all occupants. New Mégane Estate also comes with the innovative twin side-impact sensors first seen on New Laguna. This system halves the time required to trigger the dual-chamber thorax/groin airbags for even greater occupant protection.

New Renault Mégane Estate benefits fully from the considerable progress achieved by Renault in terms of quality and durability. For example: as seen on New Laguna, the hands-free card - complete with automatic central locking as the driver walks away from the car - has been redesigned to make it even more robust. The battery is now located in a sealed compartment to enable it to stand up to the increasingly demanding validation tests (e.g. washing machine test).
 

2011 RENAULT Captur Concept

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At the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Renault revealed its new brand identity which puts people at the forefront of its concerns. The new and ambitious design strategy which resulted from this is founded on different stages of the human life cycle, with each phase taking the form of a specific concept car. The first, the two-seater DeZir coupé, expressed 'falling in love', the passion present at the beginning of any new adventure. Now Renault Captur Concept addresses the second phase of this cycle, that of two people exploring the world around them.

Just like its predecessor, Renault Captur defines the simple, sensuous and warm style that will be progressively extended to future Renault car designs. "Captur is a fun and sporty crossover, ideal for a young couple about to discover the world" explains director of design, Laurens Van den Acker. "It takes as its basis the fundamental design language introduced on the DeZir concept car but adds a more technical dimension - more functional but still highly sensuous," adds Axel Breun, director of concept cars.
 
A CROSSOVER THAT'S ALL MUSCLE IN MOTION
In its proportions and fluid curves, Renault Captur Concept evokes movement and lightness, yet at the same time displaying powerful and muscular all-terrain cues. Just as with DeZir, angles, corners and lines have given way to sensuous and natural forms. For the exterior designer, Julio Lozano, the main sources of inspiration were athletes and radical sports. "In designing Captur, I began with the image of a sprinter on the starting blocks, his muscles tensed, and the energy unleashed when the starting pistol is fired," he explains. The design also references equipment such as helmets, gloves and other protective gear used in radical sports, combining high technology with sophistication and lightness.

Renault Captur adopts the new frontal identity first presented by DeZir. As with DeZir, this identity has as its centrepiece a large Renault logo, set vertically against a dark surface so as to stand out as clearly as possible. Substantial, matt-finished wings reinforce the design's visual strength. LEDs relay the direction indicator signal in a wave effect running the whole length of the vehicle.

Renault Captur does more than simply stir the emotions: it is also a practical and versatile vehicle. It is fitted with a hard convertible top which, once removed, reveals a carbon fibre framework. Captur Concept can thus transform itself from a coupé to a convertible, from an urban vehicle to an off-roader, while its overall sporty appeal is reinforced by its butterfly doors and big tyres fitted to 22-inch black and white rims. With its bodywork finished in a spicy shade of orange, Renault Captur takes its cue from the red championed by DeZir. This colour appears in a variety of different shades on materials both inside and outside the vehicle.

AN INTERIOR FULLY BATHED IN WARMTH AND LIGHTNESS
The orange theme has been carried over to the cabin which also features fluorescent highlights picked out by a constant stream of light. "My main sources of inspiration were the human body, outdoor sports and urban styling," explains the colour and trim designer, Kana Watanabe. "I wanted Captur to radiate warmth and dynamism."

The interior of Renault Captur is designed to be both welcoming and occupant-friendly. The impression of lightness expressed by the exterior is dominant here, too, with the front seats attached to the centre console as if suspended in mid air. The passenger compartment is restrained and pure, with no superfluous equipment. Innovative and ingenious materials have been employed, allowing the designers to play with light and optical effects. The centre console, door casings and dashboard are formed using a translucent material rather like a second skin. At the front of the cabin, this includes a glimpse of the high-tech fibre ropes, luminescent in places, that have been used for most of the passenger compartment. "The whole of the interior is designed around this network of stretched elastic ropes which bring to mind the worlds of sailing or mountain climbing, They use graphics and light to bring rhythm to the overall design and reinforce the dynamic feel of the vehicle while also ensuring a lighter feel inside the cabin," explains the interior designer, Magali Gouraud-Borgers. The aluminium pedals, carbon bucket-style front seats and steering wheel trimmed in grey textured leather reassert the sporting side of the design, in keeping with the original brief.

The rear of the vehicle is a multipurpose area where the deck is lined with three layers of rope:

* The stretched cords are laid out in a way that allows items to be secured, thus providing a reconfigurable storage area;
* They also provide an opportunity for relaxation thanks to the supple elasticity of the structure. This is an entirely new type of comfort, a new form of seating akin to a hammock.
* Finally, it is possible to pull seatbacks from the side of the car to provide two full-sized rear seats, complete with seat belts and head restraints. This enables Captur to accommodate four passengers.

AN INNOVATIVE CROSSOVER THAT'S STRONG ON PERFORMANCE AND LIGHT ON FUEL
Renault Captur Concept makes use of the Energy dCi 160 twin-turbo engine-concept, developed from the new Energy dCi 130. Downsizing is a key element in Renault's strategy to meet its declared objective of being Europe's leading automaker with regard to CO2 emissions. The range of electric vehicles will run alongside internal-combustion engined models that combine performance with reduced fuel consumption. Energy dCi 160 twin-turbo fits perfectly within this strategy. It produces 118kW (160hp) from a capacity of 1.6 litres - that's a specific power output of 100hp per litre. Peak torque (380Nm) is available from as low as 1,750rpm, giving powerful acceleration from low revs, as well as refined performance under all driving conditions. Paired with a dual clutch EDC gearbox, this driveline promises genuinely enjoyable driving with CO2 emissions of 99 g per kilometre.

Renault Captur's performance is further enhanced by the RX2®, a novel system that improves traction at low speeds. Should one of the two driven wheels lose traction, this entirely new mechanical self-locking differential transfers all or part of the engine's torque to the wheel with the most grip. Driving on slippery roads and tracks thus remains smooth and effortless.

Renault Captur Concept also marks the debut of the Visio-system, an innovation that uses a forwardfacing camera mounted at the top of the windscreen to provide driver-assistance functions. This new technology is able to embed synthesised images into real-time images of the road ahead displayed on a central screen; this is the principle of augmented reality, aiming to enhance the driver's perception of the external world by superimposing purpose-designed elements. The system helps reduce driving stress, for a relaxed, reassuring ride.

Technical data

* Engine: Energy dCi 160 Twin-Turbo
* Power: 118 kW (160 hp)
* Capacity: 1,598 cm3
* CO2 emissions: 99 g/km (NEDC combined cycle)
* Peak torque: 380 Nm
* Top speed: 210 km/h
* Transmission: EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch)
* Tyres: 250/40 R22
* Cd: 0.31
* Kerb weight, unladen: 1,300 kg
* 0-100 km/h: 8 s
* 1,000m standing start: 29 s
* Dimensions
o Length: 4,223 mm
o Width: 1,950 mm
o Height: 1,586 mm
o Ground clearance (laden): 261 mm
o Wheelbase: 2,624 mm
o Front track: 1,684 mm
o Rear track: 1,684 mm