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Motor Authority - blog Tag: Renault

  • Renault joins Ferrari, threatens to quit F1 in 2010

    Renault joins Ferrari, threatens to quit F1 in 2010 May 13th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, May 13th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 1 Comment

    Renault joins Ferrari, threatens to quit F1 in 2010 As was expected on Wednesday, Renault confirmed that it too is threatening to quit formula one over the budget cap issue.

    The Flavio Briatore-led outfit said it is the two-tier element of Max Mosley's 2010 rules that has caused its French parent to "reconsider its entry in next year's" world championship.

    In a statement, Renault also complained that FOTA's cost-saving proposals have been "completely ignored", while it also wants "a better balance between the costs and the revenues".

    "We remain committed to the sport, however we cannot be involved in a championship operating with different sets of rules, and if such rules are put into... As was expected on Wednesday, Renault confirmed that it too is threatening to quit formula one over the budget cap issue. The Flavio Briatore-led outfit said it is the two-tier element of Max Mosley's 2010 rules that has caused its French parent to "reconsider its entry in next year's" world championship. In a statement, Renault also complained that FOTA's cost-saving proposals have been "completely ignored", while it also wants "a better balance between the costs and the revenues". "We remain committed to the sport, however we cannot be involved in a championship operating with different sets of rules, and if such rules are put into effect, we will be forced to pull out at the end of this season," said Renault team president Bernard Rey. Briatore added: "We refuse to accept unilateral governance handed out by the FIA. If the decisions announced by the World Council on the 29th of April 2009 are not revised, we have no choice but to withdraw from the FIA Formula One World Championship at the end of 2009." Read More

  • Nissan loses $2.4 billion in 2008, Mazda down $736 million

    Nissan loses $2.4 billion in 2008, Mazda down $736 million May 12th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, May 12th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 0 Comments

    Nissan loses $2.4 billion in 2008, Mazda down $736 million Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has often been praised for his job turning around the two companies nearly a decade ago, and since then Nissan has shown nothing but profits. But in 2008, Nissan returned its first loss in 8 years, showing $2.4 billion in the red.

    Operating losses were a somewhat smaller than net losses at $1.4 billion, but the fact remains that Nissan has been as hard-hit as any company in the meltdown of late 2008 and early 2009. Ghosn doesn't see an exit to the situation soon, but he thinks things may improve.

    "The global economic recession and financial crisis continue, but we are beginning to see some signs of improved... Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has often been praised for his job turning around the two companies nearly a decade ago, and since then Nissan has shown nothing but profits. But in 2008, Nissan returned its first loss in 8 years, showing $2.4 billion in the red. Operating losses were a somewhat smaller than net losses at $1.4 billion, but the fact remains that Nissan has been as hard-hit as any company in the meltdown of late 2008 and early 2009. Ghosn doesn't see an exit to the situation soon, but he thinks things may improve. "The global economic recession and financial crisis continue, but we are beginning to see some signs of improved access to credit, the impact of government stimulus packages and a gradual return in consumer confidence," said Ghosn. "We remain cautious about the economic environment and fully focused on our company's recovery efforts." Mazda is riding the same wave, though at a smaller amplitude. Reporting a net loss of $736 million for fiscal 2008, the company has fallen hard from the $765 million profit turned in fiscal 2007. For fiscal year 2009, Nissan sees tough times with the strategy a tight one focused on minimizing losses. "2009 will be another challenging year. Our priorities will be preserving cash, improving our profitability and pursuing deeper synergies within the Renault-Nissan Alliance," said Ghosn. "We are balancing short- and long-term objectives to manage through the crisis and to prepare for the future." Both Nissan and Mazda are forecasting losses for the 2009 fiscal year, however. Read More

  • Renault-Nissan interested in Saturn and Geely interested in Saab, says insider

    Renault-Nissan interested in Saturn and Geely interested in Saab, says insider May 6th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, May 6th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 2 Comments

    Renault-Nissan interested in Saturn and Geely interested in Saab, says insider With confirmation Saturn is up for sale coming from General Motors last week, as well as news that Saab has been given permission to restructure its debts outside of bankruptcy courts, a number of potential investors and buyers have come out of the woodwork recently, confirming interest in the struggling brands.

    The first of these was investment group Telesto Ventures, which is looking to acquire Saturn and use its distribution network to market a range of new vehicles sourced from overseas carmakers. Then Roger Penske, of Penske Automotive Group, the biggest dealer group in the country, confirmed he too was interested in Saturn. Finally, ... With confirmation Saturn is up for sale coming from General Motors last week, as well as news that Saab has been given permission to restructure its debts outside of bankruptcy courts, a number of potential investors and buyers have come out of the woodwork recently, confirming interest in the struggling brands. The first of these was investment group Telesto Ventures, which is looking to acquire Saturn and use its distribution network to market a range of new vehicles sourced from overseas carmakers. Then Roger Penske, of Penske Automotive Group, the biggest dealer group in the country, confirmed he too was interested in Saturn. Finally, Fiat confirmed that it was seeking to buy GM’s European operations, namely the Opel and Saab brands. Now, it has been revealed that Renault-Nissan is also in talks with GM about acquiring Saturn, while China’s Geely Automotive wants the rights to Saab. The information was revealed by a couple of insiders who told the Wall Street Journal that Saturn could provide the basis for growth in North America for the joint French-Japanese firm. Renault is particularly keen to enter the still-lucrative U.S. market and one possibility is to use Saturn’s sales and distribution network. To further muddy the waters, Bloomberg is also reporting that Nissan is considering forming a joint-venture together with Penske Automotive Group and Saturn. The plan is to use Nissan’s manufacturing facilities to start churning out vehicles for Saturn once GM cuts its ties. Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, however, has come out stating that he’s not in any talks with GM. Separately, Geely Auto, has reportedly submitted a bid to acquire Saab. Purchasing the Swedish carmaker could allow Geely to improve its quality and safety standards ahead of a planned assault on the U.S. and European markets. Read More

  • Renault unveils the Kangoo be bop ZE electric demonstrator

    Renault unveils the Kangoo be bop ZE electric demonstrator May 6th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, May 6th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 1 Comment

    Renault unveils the Kangoo be bop ZE electric demonstrator The Internet is awash with electric vehicle demonstration vehicles, but few have as much oddball spark as the new Kangoo be bop ZE. Based around the standard be bop, but with zero emissions (hence the ZE) capabilities, the car is to be used as a test vehicle to show off what its EV platform can do.

    Looking a lot like it shares some of its internals with the recently revealed Nissan EV-02 prototype - Renault and Nissan are joined at the corporate hip, after all - the Kangoo be bop ZE features some fairly impressive stats.

    Its range of 100km (62mi) from a lithium-ion battery back and 60hp (44kW) power output mean it will be limited to... The Internet is awash with electric vehicle demonstration vehicles, but few have as much oddball spark as the new Kangoo be bop ZE. Based around the standard be bop, but with zero emissions (hence the ZE) capabilities, the car is to be used as a test vehicle to show off what its EV platform can do. Looking a lot like it shares some of its internals with the recently revealed Nissan EV-02 prototype - Renault and Nissan are joined at the corporate hip, after all - the Kangoo be bop ZE features some fairly impressive stats. Its range of 100km (62mi) from a lithium-ion battery back and 60hp (44kW) power output mean it will be limited to test-drives in the city, but that's where EVs are meant to shine anyway - cutting street-level pollution and noise, reducing petroleum dependence for 90% of travel needs and making the business of daily life just a little bit cheaper. Part of the car's efficiency can be laid at the feet of its aerodynamics. Smoother out, sealed up and lowered by 20mm, the ZE offers a much smaller profile to the wind. As a hint at the ZE's underlying system being geared up for production, much of Renault's press release discusses the durability and robustness of the powertrain, especially the battery. Built as part of the Nissan-NEC joint venture, the lithium-ion battery pack is designed to deliver 80-100% of original capacity for at least six years. That's not exactly a lifetime-of-the-car duration, but it's a significant chunk of time before replacement will be necessary. Once the production Renault EVs come along in 18 months time, the company hopes to up the 15kWh and 62mi range of the ZE's battery pack up to 100mi (160km) - an increase of about 66%, meaning the production car will likely feature a 25kWh battery as well. When it does come time to replace those batteries, Renault is looking to the future by making its batteries recyclable, further building the car's green credentials. To check out what Nissan's side of things look like, read up on the EV-02 prototype here.Renault Kangoo be bop ZE Read More

  • Renault releases new photos of Clio RS ahead of UK launch

    Renault releases new photos of Clio RS ahead of UK launch May 5th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, May 5th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 1 Comment

    Renault releases new photos of Clio RS ahead of UK launch Renault just unveiled the brand-new Clio in February and barely a month later it was out with the hotted-up Renaultsport (RS) variant in Geneva. The car features many of the same performance upgrades found on bigger brother the Megane RS, but in a more compact and peaky package. Now we have a new set of photos to ogle as Renault prepares for the car's May 15 UK launch followed by an end-of-June start to sales.

    The engine is definitely a pint-sized powerhouse, but it pays the price with a torque curve biased toward the higher end. The 2.0L 16-valve unit generates 200hp (149kW) but does so at 7,100rpm, with max torque of 158lb-ft (215Nm)... Renault just unveiled the brand-new Clio in February and barely a month later it was out with the hotted-up Renaultsport (RS) variant in Geneva. The car features many of the same performance upgrades found on bigger brother the Megane RS, but in a more compact and peaky package. Now we have a new set of photos to ogle as Renault prepares for the car's May 15 UK launch followed by an end-of-June start to sales. The engine is definitely a pint-sized powerhouse, but it pays the price with a torque curve biased toward the higher end. The 2.0L 16-valve unit generates 200hp (149kW) but does so at 7,100rpm, with max torque of 158lb-ft (215Nm) coming at 5,400rpm. Despite the peaky power curve, the car still manages a power-to-weight ratio of 166hp/tonne, enough to shoot the little hatch to 62mph (100km/h) in a tick under 7 seconds and on to a top speed of 141mph. A choice of two chassis tunings is available, the Cup which is 36kg lighter and sportier, or the standard, which sacrifices less in the way of comfort. All Clio RS models get the same aerodynamics package, complete with functional front-wing air extractors, a functional rear diffuser and a front splitter for added downforce. Braking is handled by big Brembo calipers, and 17in alloy wheels wrapped in 215-section-width rubber keep the car planted to the road. A widened track - 48mm front and 50mm rear - improves handling, while a 10mm longer wheelbase adds high-speed stability. Renaultsport badging on the outside and inside of the car lets everyone know this is no normal Clio. Inside, the Clio RS gets optional custom Recaro seating, a choice of sporty Silver Grey/Yellow/Anthracite color schemes, and contrasting stitching. Aluminum pedal covers and Renaultsport branding on the rev-counter background, door sills and front seats. Despite all the sporty demeanor, the Clio RS still checks in with combined fuel efficiency rated at 34.5mpg and CO2 emissions of just 195g/km.2009 Renault Clio RS2009 Renault Clio RS at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show Read More

  • Spy shots: Renault confirms Twingo CC for 2010

    Spy shots: Renault confirms Twingo CC for 2010 April 28th, 2009 ByAlex Kaufmann Alex Kaufmann, Author, April 28th, 2009 Alex Kaufmann 4 Comments

    Spy shots: Renault confirms Twingo CC for 2010 First shown off as a concept at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, Renault's Twingo CC (coupe-cabrio) was expected to make it to production in 2008. Delays have hit the little car's development, but Renault is adamant it will be launched by the end of next year.

    "We are working on a small convertible for 2010," Renault's deputy vice president of the small-car segment Yves-Eric Morel revealed to Automotive News. "It's going to be a niche vehicle, and like any niche vehicle, the objective will be to do something different, that gives a boost to the brand's image." This means that the car will have its own unique styling and won’t simply be... First shown off as a concept at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, Renault's Twingo CC (coupe-cabrio) was expected to make it to production in 2008. Delays have hit the little car's development, but Renault is adamant it will be launched by the end of next year. "We are working on a small convertible for 2010," Renault's deputy vice president of the small-car segment Yves-Eric Morel revealed to Automotive News. "It's going to be a niche vehicle, and like any niche vehicle, the objective will be to do something different, that gives a boost to the brand's image." This means that the car will have its own unique styling and won’t simply be a standard convertible version of the Twingo minicar. Recent spy shots reveal a car that very closely resembles the original 2007 concept in both proportion and in the few details that are visible underneath the camouflage. That's not hard to imagine, considering the concept itself looked almost production-ready. Based around the Twingo hatchback, the new convertible will likely get a retractable hard top roof (a cheaper manual roof is still possible), a two-seat layout and power from a 1.2L engine expected to develop 120hp (89kW). Down the road, an RS variant with a slightly tuned-up version of the same engine could also be in the plans. Prime competitors will be the Peugeot 207 CC, Opel/Vauxhall Tigra TwinTop and upcoming Fiat 500C. Expect more of the car over the coming months, with a possible unveiling at this September’s Frankfurt Motor Show.New Renault Twingo unveiledRenault Twingo CC spy shots Read More

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