Spy Video: Renault R-Space Concept for a Compact MPV Filmed Undisguised!

.fullpost { display: inline; } Evidently, the new Captur small crossover with the removable hardtop we told you about last week won't be the only concept model from Renault to hit the showroom floors of the Geneva Salon in less than two weeks time. A Youtube user managed to scoop a completely undisguised Renault study for a rather sporty looking compact MPV in Lisbon, Portugal. Judging by

Renault Releases World Series Special Edition Clio and Megane Models

.fullpost { display: inline; } 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

Renault Captur: Juke-Sized Crossover Convertible Concept Demonstrates New Design Language

.fullpost { display: inline; } Remember the Renault DeZir sports coupe concept from the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show? If you don't, you can refresh your memory here, but in short, the two-seater study herald the French firm's new and more curvalicious design strategy on a sports car. Fast forward to today, and Renault has unveiled a new concept model called the Captur, which applies the DeZir's

Geneva Preshow: Renault's New Monaco GP Limited Editions

.fullpost { display: inline; } 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

Geneva Preshow: New Renault Wind Receives the Gordini Touch

.fullpost { display: inline; } Renault's funky looking little coupe-convertible, the new Wind, is next up on the French automaker's list of models to receive the Gordini styling treatment. More of a posh version of the standard Wind than anything else, the Gordini-badged model bears the in-house tuner's traditional colors with a Malta blue bodywork and two white stripes. It also gets

Renault DeZir Pictures

Renault DeZir Specifications BodyWheelbase2,582mmChassisWheels245/35 R 21DrivetrainTransmissionRear-wheel drive Direct, drive, with reducer and forward/reverse inverterEngineType:Electric synchronous motor with rotor coilEngine & TransmissionPower bhp (kW) at RPM:110kW / 150hpTorque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM:226NmExteriorLength4,225mmWidth1,968mmHeight1,163mmCurb Weight830kgGround

2012 Renault Clio Specs,Features and Price Details

New 2012 Renault Clio will made with V-Platform Nissan base , MICRA engine 1.2 liter three cylinder will installed in the New Clio and most likely 1.5 liter diesel engine.If Renault Clio and MICRA is a same, what makes them different? The difference in comfort side, design and performance. Suspension, engine and transmission will upgraded and more greater performance from MICRA.2012 Renault Clio

Geneva 2011: Renault shows two studies and an electric car

Renault presented at the Geneva Motor Show two new concept cars and the electric vans Kangoo Rapid Maxi ZE. The focus of the fair presentation of Renault is the dynamic crossover study capture, which allows a view of the future design strategy of the French brand. The concept car combines elements of coupe, roadster and sport utility vehicle. Another highlight is the new Transportation Kangoo

Renault Megane Coupe Monaco GP pictures and details

Renault Megane Coupe Monaco GP is a newest release of Renault. this car has two versions. Megane Coupe Monaco GP and Sport. in this week they unveiled this car and it will be released to the market in this march. even though it's a single door car, it has a very sporty look and wide air intakes. Adding to the safety aspects are the ESP, dual-chamber airbags and Bi-xenon directional headlights. There’s also rear parking assist and power-folding side mirrors.

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

.fullpost { display: inline; } 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

Renault Megane Estate GT (2011)

Renault Megane Estate GT (2011)Renault Megane Estate GT (2011)Renault Megane Estate GT (2011)Renault Megane Estate GT (2011)Renault Megane Estate GT (2011)Specific features of GT versionEven more exclusive are the new Renault Mégane GT versions which come with 'GT' badging on the grille and 'GT Renault Sport' badging on the tailgate. They sit on 18-inch Dark Metal-coloured Jetow aluminium wheels.

Renault Megane Estate GT Line (2011)

Renault Megane Estate GT Line (2011)Renault Megane Estate GT Line (2011)Renault Megane Estate GT Line (2011)Renault Megane Estate GT Line (2011)Renault Megane Estate GT Line (2011)Renault Megane Estate GT LineNew Renault Mégane GT and GT Line stand out by their sporty styling cues both inside and out. Their sporty character is further accentuated by the Malta Blue body colour (which is exclusive

Renault Megane GT (2011)

Renault Megane GT (2011)Renault Megane GT (2011)Renault Megane GT (2011)Renault Megane GT (2011)Renault Megane GT (2011)Renault Megane GTNew Renault Mégane GT and GT Line stand out by their sporty styling cues both inside and out. Their sporty character is further accentuated by the Malta Blue body colour (which is exclusive to these versions) and by the Dark Metal (anthracite grey) or polished

Renault Megane GT Line (2011)

Renault Megane GT Line (2011)Renault Megane GT Line (2011)Renault Megane GT Line (2011)Renault Megane GT Line (2011)Renault Megane GT Line (2011)Renault Megane GT LineNew Renault Mégane GT and GT Line stand out by their sporty styling cues both inside and out. Their sporty character is further accentuated by the Malta Blue body colour (which is exclusive to these versions) and by the Dark Metal (

Renault Wind (2011)

Renault Wind (2011)Renault Wind (2011)Renault Wind (2011)Renault Wind (2011)Renault Wind (2011)Renault WindRenault Wind's length of 3.83 meters sees the newcomer slot between Twingo (3,60 m) and Clio (4,03 m), and marks the addition to the Renault range of a new, compact, coupé-roadster concept that is ideally suited to everyday motoring.FOR WHO? AND IN RESPONSE TO WHAT DEMAND?Renault sees no

2011 Renault Megane RS N4

2011 Renault Megane RS N42011 Renault Megane RS N42011 Renault Megane RS N42011 Renault Megane RS N42011 Renault Megane RS N42011 Renault Megane RS N4

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.

By Csaba Daradics

Sources: Renault, Reuters , Bloomberg

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

The Plot Thickens: China a Suspect in the Renault Spy Case

As previously reported, Renault recently suspended three senior managers on suspicion of industrial espionage, related to the manufacturer’s upcoming electric cars. Naturally, the situation begs an obvious question: whom were they spying for?

On Friday, French legislator Bernard Carayon dropped the bombshell, by saying that “proven, diverse and reliable” sources suspect Chinese involvement in the matter.

“There are in effect several sources that are typically thought to be serious who consider that a Chinese buyer is in fact behind this operation”, said Carayon, a member of President Nicolas Sarkozy's conservative party, on France-Info radio.

The Sarkozy administration declined to comment on Mr. Carayon’s statement and, according to an inside source, the country’s counter-terrorism agency, DCRI, has not yet been involved in the matter.

Meanwhile, Renault didn’t release too many details about the affair, simply stating that it plans to take legal action against the three former company officials, whose identities will be preserved in accordance to the labor laws.

However, the automaker has pointed out in a statement that the managers were people with “extremely strategic” positions in the company, which could be one way of describing a very complicated situation.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Associated Press via Detroit News

Renault Suspends Managers on Suspicion of Leaking EV Secrets

French carmaker Renault has suspended three senior managers on suspicion of industrial espionage linked to the firm's electric vehicle plans. A company spokeswoman confirmed on Tuesday that the three individuals were suspended over unspecified ethical issues.

“In late August 2010, an ethical alert was brought to the attention of the compliance committee," a Renault spokeswoman told AFP on Tuesday. "The investigation that followed led to the suspension of three Renault executives”, the spokeswoman added without providing any more details.

On Wednesday, unnamed inside sources told the news agency that all three individuals were in charge of electric vehicles projects, with one of them being a member of a 30-strong panel of executives headed by chief executive Carlos Ghosn.

The three men were required to leave their offices on Monday, but Renault has not yet filled a formal complaint.

The French carmaker plans to launch four electric models by the end of 2012 including the Fluence EV, Kangoo Express EV, Twizy and Zoe. Along with sister-company Nissan, Renault is investing €200 million (about US $263.4 million) a year in the EV programme.

Source: AFP via Yahoo News

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

2011 Renault Laguna Facelift Launch

2011 Renault Laguna Facelift Official Photos

2011 Renault Laguna Facelift Interior

2011 Renault Laguna Facelift Images

2011 Renault Laguna Facelift Shifter