Mad About Cars

This year’s car shows proved that designers are excelling in their work reaching beyond, always. New Toyota Auris SR180 with impressive 2.2 litre D-CAT engine that can show no mercy on the road by deploying whole 174 BHP onto the FWD ride, or new 2.5 litre Focus ST with the supercharger have made our hearts melt. But the best came from the Renault though, unexpectedly but impressively with two new redesigned models of Clio.

Renault Clio F1 has been replaced couple of years ago with Renaultsport badge which is a new sub make for high-performance cars from the French manufacturer. Therefore Clio has lost its iconic status as a fast-hatch and for couple of years there was no “civilian” version of Clio that would have that bite and character and still would be available to normal people, but have no fear. Renault brought back the best bits of motorsport and F1 into the redesigned hatch that is being presented to us as GT.

Basically the car is a slightly reshaped 3-door model of a standard Clio, but with exceptional interior that imitates carbon-fiber, GT cloth upholstery, 16-inch darkened alloy rims, added slight side-, front- and back-skirts and of course a very well placed roof spoiler.  Topped with genuine chromed double exhaust mounted into the double cut of the bumper that makes it look really awesome.

All-new Renault Clio GT 1.6 16v 128bhp @ 6000rpm

But the best isn’t outside, but under the hood. 1.6 litre straight-4 VVT engine sounds just fantastic and will surely boil your blood. Its 128 bhp at around 6000 rpm are able to strip down the girls on the street and get you from naught to 60mph in just 9.3 seconds. The car weighs less than its rival 207, just under 1150 kg, and has around 158 nm/lbs-ft of torque. In comparison with 207 it smokes it because the 207 is heavier, has less power and only 4-speed automatic gearbox, while GT has 6-speed manual for all real drivers out there.

All-new RS 200

Along with a all-new GT we had a pleasure to test-drive a new Renaultsport RS200 which kicks butts of the competition again. 2.0 litre 16v straight-4 engine that delivers impressive 200 bhp and loads of torque. It has set of irresistible features such as special cloth upholstery. A little bit from Renault itself about the new RS:

Clio RS 200 from the front

The interior performance credentials are mirrored in details such as the aluminium pedal facings, as well as by the perforated leather-covered steering wheel with visible stitching and yellow centre-point marker. The unique Renaultsport seats are exceptionally comfortable and ensure a high level of body-hugging lateral support. The new yellow rev-counter includes an audible and visible gearshift indicator to help optimise gear changes. The size of the figures displayed on the rev-counter increases as the needle approaches the red zone. Renaultsport badging is visible inside the cabin on the rev-counter background, sills and front seats.

I hope you’re gonna like it too, cause it’s a class on its own.

The new Renault Laguna coupe represents a brave move from Renault, as it looks to enter the luxury coupe market. In recent years, the market has been the reserve of the prestige manufacturers, with the likes of the BMW 3-Series coupe and Mercedes CLK being the class leaders. Renault are looking to join rivals Peugeot in producing a credible rival to the German dominance, but time will tell whether the car is a success. However, the car’s introduction as the Paris Motor show was certainly the best start possible.
Since seeing the car in the flesh, many industry experts, including established car designers and international motoring journalists have remarked on the car’s sweeping, elegant design, with many likening the new car to the Aston Martin DB9 in terms of its design.
Many design cues are certainly reminiscent of the Aston Martin, whilst the car’s headlamp and bonnet design is taken straight from the Laguna hatchback, the coupe’s large bumper with imposing mesh grille is certainly a cue towards the Aston Martin. However the car’s sweeping rear end certainly looks like it could be present on an Aston Martin, and the car carries itself in an elegant silhouette.
Will this be enough to make the car a success? Time will tell, although the positive reviews have already given the car a unique selling point over its rivals.

Renault’s new Laguna Coupe sees the company go head to head with the likes of BMW, Mercedes and Audi in the four seater coupe market.

The market has been dominated in recent years by the BMW 3-Series Coupe and Mercedes CLK, and it appears that badge prestige is very important with buyers. Whilst the Ford Capri was a traditional seller, the Cougar sports coupe was discontinued some years ago, along with the Vauxhall Calibra, with only Peugeot offering a four-seater coupe, its 407 model replacing the successful 406 Coupe, both of which were designed by the Pinninfarina design studio.

The Laguna shares a similar floorpan to the hatchback and saloon models of the Laguna, but with a bespoke, completely redesigned body, being 62mm shorter. A range of engines will also be available, with Renault’s anticipated 3 litre V6 engine also being available. Prices of the new car range from £22,345 for the entry level 205 model, (featuring a 2-litre turbocharged petrol engine), with the range topping 3.0 DCI GT model, featuring the new diesel engine, available at £27,995. For a slightly lower price, a 3.5 V6 petrol engine is also available.

Renault will hope that its new car shares similar success to that of its French rival Peugeot, whose 407 Coupe is amongst the class leaders. However, the Laguna’s biggest task will be trying to tempt buyers away from the premium brands.