Renault Megane
“Our Renault Mégane came face-to-face with its predecessor when motoring writer Paul Bond visited friends in Surbiton, Surrey recently – and it couldn’t have been more different to Renault’s previous family car,” says the latest update from Auto Express’ long-term car.
“The current Sport Tourer’s soft curves, smooth shape and sporty details were in direct contrast to
its angular ancestor. The newcomer is sharper to drive, and its cabin is classier and more spacious, too.”
(Ref Auto Trader Magazine 7th September 2011)
Renault Frendzy
“The brilliantly named Renault Frendzy is a futuristic take on the Kangoo,” says Ken Gibson in the Sun. “The Kangoo has a big following in the UK and Europe with people who love its affordability, practicality and quirky style.
“The Frendzy adds an extra dose of style and should go on sale late next year from £13,500.”
(Ref The Sun 13th September 2011)
Renault Grand Scénic
The Renault Grand Scénic has been named top MPV in WhatCar?’s 2011 Green Car Awards.
“Making a green MPV isn’t easy,” says the mag. “You need something big and high-sided for practicality purposes, but that means strapping on an engine powerful enough to haul all that bulk around. You’d think there would always be a penalty in emissions and fuel economy.
“Not in the Grand Scénic’s case, because this new version of Renault’s seven-seater pumps out less CO2 than a 1.0-litre Vauxhall Corsa. It’s all down to a new ultra-efficient 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine (which will be filtering down to Renault’s smaller models over the coming months).
“Despite such impressive green credentials, there’s 130hp on tap, which makes ferrying around a big family and their accompanying baggage remarkably effortless. You do need to keep the engine spinning at more than 1,500rpm – below that it’s rather flat – but otherwise it’s smooth and punchy.
“The Grand Scénic has enough space for seven adults, with good leg room in the front and middle rows, and excellent head room throughout, while
the rearmost seats fold into the floor to create a
huge boot.
“There’s plenty of equipment to keep you and the family happy and safe, including climate and cruise controls, automatic lights and wipers, an MP3 adapter, Bluetooth, stability control and six airbags.”
(Ref What Car 7th September 2011)
Clio still matches the competition
“Superminis are big business,” and Auto Express pitched the Renault Clio against the competition – the Ford Fiesta, Kia Rio and Vauxhall Corsa – to see which is making the biggest splash.
“As with its Vauxhall and Ford rivals, the Clio has a healthy following in the UK. With its bright red paint, our Clio was still capable of attracting attention. Dynamique TomTom spec provides silver exterior trim and smart 16-inch alloys.
“We have no complaints about the amount of space, as it’s broadly on a par with that of the Fiesta and Corsa, and the level of standard kit is impressive, too. The cabin is full of useful features, with Bluetooth, cruise control and a great TomTom sat-nav.
“The turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine is a gem. Not only does it provide sparkling performance, impressive acceleration and in-gear flexibility, but it does so with real vigour. Where the Corsa feels strained at the top of its rev range, the Renault has a sporty exhaust note and an appetite for revs. It’s matched by the Rio against the clock, but on the road feels the quickest of our quartet.
“Even the absence of a sixth gear fails to dent the Clio’s refinement, and its tall fifth ratio demands only 2,700rpm from the engine at 70mph. The chassis has the same eager character as the engine. There is plenty of grip in corners and body roll is well controlled.
“Remarkably, given its pace, the Clio also proved to be the most frugal on our test. It recorded 41.8mpg, which left all of its rivals in the shade. This is down to the torquey nature of the engine, as we didn’t need to work it as hard to keep pace with the other cars.
“So despite its age, the Renault puts in an excellent showing. Its high standard specification and low running costs hold plenty of appeal. Factor in one of the best small engines around, and there’s life in the Clio yet.”
(Auto Express 7th of September 2011)
New Clio makes good business sense
“The Renault Clio dCi 88 Eco, a 90hp 1.5-litre 94g/km model, is the brand’s lowest-emitting car yet – ahead of its electric vehicle onslaught coming in the next 12 months – and is much better than you’d expect,” says BusinessCar in its first test drive.
“Sure, it’s not meant for high mileage – although during its test time with BusinessCar it managed this capably – but as an urban runaround it’s a brilliant proposition.
“Naturally it has excellent fuel efficiency, but considering the size of the car, the amount of mileage achieved without filling up was impressive. Average mpg was around 56.6mpg, although we’re confident this would easily be in the 60s without much effort.
“With a P11D price of £12,995, costing only £28 a month for a 20 per cent BIK band, and with whole-life costs at 34.9ppm, this car certainly makes sense for low-mileage drivers.”
( Ref BusinessCar – 15th of September 2011)
Racy Mégane gets even better
“It may look like a standard example of Renault’s flagship hot hatch, but this is no ordinary performance model,” says Auto Express writer Owen Mildenhall. “This is the fastest road car the French firm has ever built – the Mégane Renaultsport 265 Trophy.
“It has just smashed the lap record for a front-wheel-drive production car around the classic Nordschleife circuit at Germany’s Nürburgring – and we’ve got hold of the first example to hit the UK.
“The newcomer is powered by the same 2.0-litre turbocharged unit as the standard RS 250, but engineers have increased turbo boost pressure by 0.2 bar, adding an extra 15hp to the already healthy power output.
“The standard 19-inch gloss black alloy wheels and LED running lights will draw plenty of admiring glaces. But it’s the driving experience that will raise the biggest smile for owners of this new car.
“Work the punchy engine hard and you can feel the extra power at the top end of the rev range. The Trophy launches out of corners even more ferociously than the standard car, yet retains the impressive traction and front-end grip that has taken the racy Mégane to the top of the hot hatch class.
“As with all such Renaultsport models, the Trophy’s limits are so high, it’s sometimes difficult to fully appreciate its capabilities on the public road. The good news for buyers in the UK is that all 50 Trophy owners will get free access to Renaultsport’s 2012 track days – an extra worth around £650.
“With extra power and a limited production run, this car has plenty of appeal. There’s a hefty price premium – but generous standard kit and free track-day access, combined with the Mégane’s already excellent handling, will get hot hatch enthusiasts very excited.” Verdict: 4/5 stars
(Ref Express & Star – 12th of September 2011)
Clio’s got Pzaz
The “rock-bottom” price tag of the new Renault Clio Pzaz is “superb value for such an accomplished supermini”, says Jack Rix of Auto Express.
“In years gone by, the equipment list would have seemed generous,” he says of the inclusion of electric front windows, remote central locking and a CD stereo with MP3 player connectivity. The interior quality is “on par” with other cars of this class, and the mood is lifted with “PlayStation-inspired graphics on the front seats and chunks of gloss white trim around the air vents”.
Under the bonnet, the 75hp 1.2-litre petrol motor might not sound much, but “it’s a great little unit, and this small French hatch does everything you’d expect”. It’s “smooth” and “loves to rev” making it “ideal” for darting around town.
“Soft suspension means the Pzaz rides well but rolls around in bends, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It gives the Renault a playful character which suits this type of car so well, and there’s a surprising amount of grip and decent agility. Other highlights include the steering, which weighs up nicely as you wind on the lock.
“With Korean firms such as Kia and Hyundai undercutting Euro brands like Renault and Ford, it’s time the competition fought back,” Rix says in his verdict. “This Pzaz model does just that: its aggressive pricing draws buyers in, and it delivers everything the Clio has built its reputation on, with an energetic engine, engaging handling and the badge’s universal appeal. If Renault can offer this much for so little, the next-generation Clio should be worth waiting for.”
(Ref AutoExpress – 7th of September 2011)
