Vastly improved looks now make the Megane CC a Renault you WILL want to own.

Renault’s renewal of its range continues with the introduction of New Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet. The latest version of the model features the brand’s new styling identity and Renault R-Link connected multimedia system as standard.

• New Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet’s front end styling embodies Renault’s acclaimed new design philosophy
• Renault R-Link, the connected in-dash multimedia system, is now standard on all UK versions
• New Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet will be unveiled in January 2014 at the Brussels Motor Show.  UK pricing and specification will be announced closer to sales commencing in March.

After Mégane Hatch, Mégane Coupé and Mégane Sport Tourer, it is now the turn of Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet to feature Renault’s new family traits. Its dynamic, elegant stance has been further enhanced by a new bumper which incorporates the new distinctive Renault diamond set to a gloss black background.

Meanwhile, the connected Renault R-Link multimedia system is now standard on the full UK line-up of Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet. This fully-connected system comes with a smart, chrome-trimmed seven-inch (18cm) display which functions in association with a centre console-mounted joystick. A line-up of connected applications, such as e-mail or weather forecasts, is also available through the R-Link store.

New Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet continues to be equipped with the coupé segment’s largest panoramic glass roof. With the top down, the vehicle ensures an inimitable open-air experience without the drawbacks. Its standard fixed glass wind deflector, which is unique in the segment, minimises turbulence to provide maximum comfort for four passengers when travelling at speeds of up to 55 mph. New Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet can also be ordered with an optional removable mesh deflector screen that allows two occupants traveling alone to benefit from extra protection against buffeting at all speeds.

New Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet is made at Renault’s Douai plant in France, alongside Scénic, Grand Scénic and Scénic XMOD. UK pricing and specification will be announced shortly.

Renault group increases 46% in ten months to October.

Renault UK group car sales, including Renault and Dacia brands, for the 10-month period of January to October increased a record 46.1 per cent to 49,154 units, up from last year’s total of 33,640, according to SMMT figures released today. In the peak month of September and in October, the first peak period with the new Clio and all-new Captur crossover, retail car sales for the Renault brand increased by a record 32.1 per cent and a record 97.1 per cent for the group versus 2012; outpacing the retail car market growth of 14.9 per cent in the same period.  In these two months, with the launch of Captur, the Renault brand increased its volume in the growing B-segment by a record 76.0 per cent.

Total group sales for October year-to-date, including vans, were 59,058 units, surpassing the 2012 Renault full-year total registrations of 55,685 units. Commenting on the results, Ken Ramirez, Renault UK Managing Director, said, “The milestone signals a clear turning point for the Renault group in the UK market and demonstrates the increased value of the franchise. The launch of Dacia this year certainly contributes significantly to this growth along with a renewed range of Renault models that have re-energised the brand. We owe our impressive growth to customers, both loyal and new to our brands, who continue to recognise the quality, appeal and value of our products.”

GROUP HIGHLIGHTS

• Renault Group posts a car sales increase of 46.1 per cent for October year-to-date with a market share of 2.5 per cent compared to the same period last year (49,154 in volume compared to 1.9 per cent share and 33,640 units last year)
• Group car sales for the 10-month period have now exceeded the full year 2012 volume
• Retail car sales for the Renault Group for the same period jump a record 75.7 per cent to 3.4 per cent share (35,341 units compared to 2.3% share and 20,104 units last year)
• For the peak month of September and in October, retail car sales for the Group increased by 97.0 per cent compared to the same period last year (12,314 units compared to 6,248 units last year)

RENAULT HIGHLIGHTS

• Renault car sales for the first 10-month period reach 36,081 and a share of 1.8 per cent, an increase of 7.3% compared to the same period last year
• In the peak month of September and in October, retail car sales for the Renault brand increased by a record 32.1 per cent versus the same period last year
• In the same two months, with Clio, Captur and ZOE, Renault’s volume in the B segment increased by a record 76.0% against a segment increase of 7.7%
• Clio sales in the peak month of September and in October rank it in sixth place in the five-door retail B-segment
• Captur sales for the same peak month of September and in October put it in third place in the B-SUV segment, behind the Nissan Juke and Mini Countryman.  It outsells Peugeot’s 2008 by more than two and a half times-to one. (3,085 sales compared to 1,225). 72.5 per cent of Captur sales are in the retail market

DACIA HIGHLIGHTS

• Dacia sales reach 13,073 to date from the brand’s launch in January this year
• The brand launched with Duster and Sandero initially, with Sandero Stepway arriving in May and Logan MCV in September.  It is the fastest growing brand to date this year.
• 96.8 per cent of Dacia sales are in the retail market where it has a share of 1.2 per cent year-to-date.  It is also the fastest growing retail brand this year
• Duster sales total 6,677 to date.  In the retail C-SUV segment, Duster is ranked in sixth position
• Sandero sales reach 4,507.  Sandero Stepway launched in May and has totalled 1,738 sales to date

Expanding sales and more profitable business channels are reinforcing the Group’s upward trend, with the icing on the cake being multiple award wins and media recognition for both brands. A selection of plaudits throughout the year have included:

• Record quadruple haul at Scottish Car of the Year Awards: Small Car (Clio), Crossover (Captur), Electric Car (ZOE) and Budget Car (Dacia Sandero)
• Dacia Duster: Caravan Club Awards 2014 ‘Special Award’ and Towcar of the Year’s ‘Best Budget 4x4’
• Twin What Car? Awards ‘Best Buy’ category wins for Mégane Renaultsport 265 Cup – ‘Best Hot Hatch over £22,000‘ and Dacia Sandero – ‘Best Supermini under £12,000’
• BusinessCar “Techies” - ZOE – ‘Green Category’ winner and Captur – ‘Best Crossover’ - in the Next Green Car Awards
• Renault also scored twice at 2013 Fleet World Honours: Best Small Car and Technology Award

Most recently, a record seven Group models featured in The Sunday Times driving supplement ‘Top 100 Cars’ (Captur wasn’t listed, most likely as there was no Crossover category). Among the editorial comments were highlights such as:

• Clio and Sandero in Top 10 Superminis -  “Choose the TCe and you’ll be reminded that Renault once made the best small cars in the world… it’s still the most fun standard French hatchback to go on sale for a decade or more.”
• ZOE in Top 10 Electric Cars & Hybrids - “…the car has much to recommend it.  It’s the cutest hatchback powered by electricity.” Twizy also made the cut in the same category.
• Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo EDC raced into Top 10 Hot Hatches & Coupes, with Grand Scénic earning a place in Top 10 MPVs.
• Duster – Top 10 4x4s - “Its greatest strength is that it shows up the many other soft-roaders for the over-priced, under-achievers that they are.”

Renault gives Megane the family look and makes it more appealing.

The new-look Mégane family are revealed shortly before the model’s official presentation at the International Frankfurt Motor Show.

As Renault continues to deploy its new design identity across its model range, it is the Mégane line-up’s turn to incorporate the brand’s latest front-end styling.

The change ensures greater unity between the front ends of Mégane Hatchback, Sport Tourer and Coupé which feature the same bumper and bonnet, although each version maintains its own distinctive identity. They are also equipped with new elliptical headlights.

The new styling identity has been carried over to the line-up’s sporting models, too. Mégane Renaultsport and GT Line both boast an even more dynamic stance and a new front-end design, as well as new headlights with gloss black backgrounds.

The new range is due to go on sale in the UK in the first quarter of next year.

More important details about the Renault Mégane will be revealed on the Renault stand at the 2013 International Frankfurt Motor Show on 10th September.

Renault group celebrate becoming the best carbon friendly manufacturer in the first half of 2013

Renault Group has become the European leader in terms of low CO₂ emissions based upon its sales of passenger cars over the first half of 2013. This ranking is the fruit of the rejuvenation of its range, the success of its Energy range of engines and the growth of its electric vehicle sales.  

Renault Group has moved into pole position in Europe in terms of low CO₂ emissions, with an average of 115.9g of CO₂/km* per vehicle (source: AAA-DATA**) based on its passenger car sales over the first half of 2013.

Renault Group owes this performance to the recent rejuvenation of its ranges, notably including five models that return less than 100g of CO₂/km (Twingo, New Clio, Captur, Mégane and Dacia Sandero). Indeed, in the small five-seater diesel car sector, New Clio Energy dCi 90 eco² is the class leader with 83g/km. Overall, the New Renault Clio range emits 18.5g of CO₂/km less than the model’s previous generation.

Meanwhile, Renault is Europe’s number one brand for electric mobility, and its electric vehicle sales have also contributed significantly to the Group’s low average CO₂ emissions.

Taken as a whole, the average level of CO₂ emissions per kilometre across Renault Group’s entire range has improved by nearly 10g in the first half of 2013 over 2012, falling from 125.5g/km to 115.9g/km.

“This position of market leader is proof that the combination of our powertrain strategy – with our range of Energy engines – and our electric vehicle strategy is bearing fruit. Thanks to these innovations, Renault Group is achieving tangible results and maintaining its objective to significantly reduce the long-term environmental footprint of its activities. At the same time, these improvements are beneficial for both the planet and our customers.”

(Jean-Philippe HERMINE, Director, Renault Group, Environmental Plan)