Le Chic...Renault “XV de France” Clio and Megane Editions

For the third year in a row, Renault will have “XV de France” editions of the Clio and Megane models in its lineup, marking the automaker’s involvement in rugby as a sponsor of the French national team. The difference is that this year, the “limited editions” have become full-fledged “versions”, fully integrated into the brand’s catalogue and available for purchase all year-round. The Megane is available in estate, hatch and coupe body styles, while the Clio can be ordered as a 3-door, 5-door and estate.

“The 2011 ‘XV de France’ versions are very different from the limited editions of previous years”, explains Megane product manager Raphaelle Jarry. “As well as being true to the rugby spirit, they introduce a new angle”.

Based on the Dynamique (Megane) and Dynamique TomTom (Clio) trim levels, the “XV de France” versions boast a unique Marron Glace paintjob (except the Clio estate), accompanied by special upholstery in the interior. Distinctive alloys are also on the menu, while the French Rugby Federation emblems applied to the front wings and inside the cabin represent the finishing touch.

The “XV de France” Clio’s standard equipment list includes navigation, 80W CD/MP3/Bluetooth sound system with speech recognition and streaming capabilities, automatic air conditioning, cruise control and 16-inch wheels.

The “XV de France” Megane comes with satnav, plus front and rear parking sensors, electrically adjustable fold-back mirrors and bigger, 17-inch alloys.

Engine choices include two diesel (95/105HP) and two gasoline (100/110HP) units for the Clio and one gasoline (130HP) powerplant and four diesels (110/130/150HP) for the Megane.

A total of 15,500 “XV de France” vehicles will be built, including 5,500 Meganes and 10,000 Clios.

Geneva Preshow: Renault's New Monaco GP Limited Editions

Apparently, last year's limited run Laguna Coupe Monaco GP special edition was a success as Renault has just announced three new models featuring the same styling recipe, including the Megane Coupe, Megane Coupe R.S. and the 2011MY Laguna Coupe. The new Monaco GP special editions will go on sale in Europe right after their world premiere at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March.

All three models share common styling treats such as a bespoke pearlescent white paint developed accentuated by Etoilé black body components including the side mirrors, rear diffuser and fog-lamp surrounds, black headlight masks and “Monaco GP” badge work on the sides. Inside, the Monaco GP treatment adds pearlescent white cabin details (console, strip, door handles), “Monaco GP” stitching on the seats, a numbered plate and “Monaco GP” protective mats.

The Megane Coupe Monaco GP model, which is available with a choice of five engines, including 110HP, 130HP and 160HP diesels, and 130HP and 180HP petrol units, also gets 17-inch gloss black rims, GT front and rear bumpers, fabric upholstery with special stitching, rear park assist and power-folding mirrors.

The 250HP Megane Coupe R.S. Monaco GP benefits from 18-inch Keza gloss black rims, leather upholstery with special stitching, plus gray overstitching on the steering wheel and gearstick handle.

Finally, the Laguna Coupe Monaco GP returns for 2011 and will be available with five engines, depending on the country (2.0 dCi with 150HP, 180HP and 175HP + Auto Box, and 2.0 Turbo with 205HP and 170HP +Auto Box). Aside from the exclusive pearlescent white body paint, buyers of the special edition will also be able to opt for a pearlescent black.

Ayrton Senna's Nephew Bruno Signs with Lotus-Renault F1 Team

The nephew of the late three-times Formula One world champion Ayrton Senna, Bruno, has signed up with the new Lotus-Renault GP team, the British automaker announced on Monday. The 27-year old, who comes from a bad season in Formula One with the struggling Hispania team, will be a reserve driver for the 2011 season.

"It’s a really exciting opportunity from both Group Lotus and Lotus Renault GP," said Brunno Senna after the announcement. "To be able to develop my Formula One career within a World Championship winning organisation and to do so in conjunction with some hugely interesting work for such an iconic sports car company as Lotus is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Lotus has placed a great deal of faith in me and I am looking forward to beginning work on the technical side of our relationship," he added.

The British carmaker said that Bruno’s test driving role with Lotus will see him provide valuable input into all Lotus cars, both track and road.

Lotus Director of Motorsport Claudio Berro said: “We’re delighted to have Bruno on board. In his young motorsport career he’s built up a great armoury of skills and experience. He’s a fast learner and this talent combined with his ability to shift between different types of race car will make him a great asset to Lotus. Normally people like to talk about the ‘technology transfer’ between F1 and road cars but in Bruno’s case we’re opening this up to an intellectual transfer – we’re certainly going to keep him busy!"

Renault Releases World Series Special Edition Clio and Megane Models

This summer sees the launch of a new series of special edition Clio and Megane models named after Renault's World Series single-seater challenge. Due to make their public appearance at Silverstone track on the first weekend of July, the World Series Clio, Megane Hatch and Megane Coupe versions feature sportier body styling (but that's about it) with the French automaker claiming savings for the customer between £940 to £1,190 over the price of the additional items if they were ordered separately in the UK.

The Clio World Series by Renault is based on the Dynamique trim level adding a front spoiler, side skirts, a sports rear bumper plus WSR badging. It is available with two gasoline engines, a naturally aspirated 1.2-liter with 75HP and a 1.2-liter turbocharged four with 100HP, plus a 1.5-liter diesel producing 86HP, with prices starting from £12,170 on the road.

Priced from £16,595, the five-door Megane hatch version benefits from a front apron, Coupe-style bumper inserts, side skirts, a sports rear bumper, rear spoiler, WSR badging and 17-inch alloy wheels. Buyers can choose from the 1.6-liter petrol with 110HP or the 1.5-liter diesel making 106HP.

And finally, there's the Megane Coupe World Series by Renault which sports a front spoiler, side skirts, specific rear bumper and 17-inch alloy wheels. Priced from £16,995, it is offered with the same engines as the hatch model.

All three models are available for order in the UK from 1st July with deliveries starting from July 6th, 2009.

Renault Espionage Case with EV Models Continues with the Company Filing a Complaint Against "Persons Unknown"

The industrial espionage scandal involving three senior Renault managers suspected of leaking confidential information about the company’s upcoming electric cars is nowhere over, as earlier today, the French automaker filed a complaint “against persons unknown for acts constituting organized industrial espionage, corruption, breach of trust, theft and concealment”.

The legal action follows an internal investigation, which revealed serious misconduct detrimental to the company and in particular to its strategic, technological and intellectual assets.

The complaint has been filed with the State Prosecutor of Paris and the automaker emphasized that the matter is now in judiciary hands, so it won’t release any further information to the public in an effort to avoid more controversy.

Without doubt, it will take a long time before this whole mess gets sorted out, but fortunately for Renault, it seems that nothing crucial has been leaked - or at least that's what the company claims.

This past weekend, the French automaker said some information might have been disclosed on the costs and economic model of the EV program, but not the technology itself, including some two hundred, very important patents.

“It's serious, but not as bad as if it had been the technology”, said Chief Operating Officer Patrick Pelata in an interview. "Whether it's the chemistry of the electrodes, the structure of the batteries, the different elements of assembling, be it the charger or the engine itself, we feel ok", he added.

That means the jointly developed EV project with Nissan, in which the two companies are investing €200 million (US $263.4 million) a year, is on schedule.

“We have not lost one day to launch our four electric cars”, Mr. Pelata commented.

At the same time, French media reported that Industry Minister Eric Besson has played down the Chinese link, saying that he couldn’t confirm anything for now.

However, this wasn’t enough to satisfy the Chinese government, which, according to a Bloomberg report, denied involvement in the case.

“The accusations are baseless and irresponsible, and the Chinese side cannot accept them,” said Hong Lei, a spokesman’s for the foreign ministry.

Sources: Renault, Reuters , Bloomberg