Home / Renault (Page 2)

• Be Bop Z.E, Electric Car Variant from Renault

  The electric car concept named Kangoo be bop Z.E was unveiled by Renault manufacturer. This electric vehicle is predicted will be produced in this year. The car is equipped with 60hp electric motor and lithium-ion batteries. This compact electric car design can run about 100 km. The unique design on this Kangoo be bop Z.E electric car is achieved by metallic acid green trim and satin-finish chrome. The car which was first introduced at 2008 Paris Motor Show features low-energy LED (light-emitting diode) ar the front and rear light. Here is complete information from the official press release:

  Design

  Kangoo be bop Z.E. is derived from the production version of Kangoo be bop and is instantly recognisable by its ‘Energy Blue’ body colour, while the Renault logos on the grille and wheels are picked out in satin-finish blue-hued chrome. Inside, the satin-finish chrome and metallic acid green trim ensure a unique ambience, further expressed by the specific grey velour upholstery and embroidered ‘printed circuit’ motifs.

  Like the Z.E. Concept concept car which was unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, Kangoo be bop Z.E. is equipped with low-energy LED (light-emitting diode) front and rear lighting to optimise energy use. Meanwhile, the car’s aerodynamics have been significantly reworked to reduce energy consumption. Kangoo be bop Z.E. sits on 18-inch full disc wheels, and its ground clearance has been lowered by 20mm compared with that of the production Kangoo be bop.

  Linear displays on the outside of Kangoo be bop Z.E.’s doors show how much charge is left in the battery by simply activating the remote central locking control. Inside, a gauge to the left of the instrument panel provides the driver with a permanent indication of how much battery charge remains.

  Features

  Kangoo be bop Z.E. is an all-electric zero emission vehicle. It is powered by a 60hp (44kw) electric motor which revs to 12,000rpm and boasts greater efficiency (90 per cent) than an internal combustion engine. Kangoo be bop Z.E.’s electric motor is coupled to a reducer which replaces the gearbox traditionally mated to internal combustion engines.

  This reducer has a single, constant output ratio. Electrical energy is transmitted to the motor by a power electronics unit which incorporates the controller that delivers the required amount of energy to the rotor.

  Kangoo be bop Z.E. is equipped with compact, lithium-ion batteries produced by AESC (Automotive Electric Supply Corporation), a Nissan-NEC joint venture which was founded in April 2007.

  The performance of these batteries compared with former-generation nickel metal hydride batteries is superior in every domain, including performance, reliability, safety and efficiency.

  Lithium-ion batteries do not suffer from the so-called memory effect which results from incomplete charge cycles, ultimately leading to a fall in capacity. The AESC battery is expected to deliver between 80 and 100 per cent of its original capacity for six years.

  The compact dimensions of lithium-ion batteries enable the vehicle’s configuration to be optimised and a wide range of applications to be envisaged. In the case of Kangoo be bop Z.E., the battery is located underneath the dashboard.

  It consequently doesn’t encroach on either cabin space or boot capacity, making it possible to keep the same arrangement of four individual seats as that seen on the standard Kangoo be bop.

  The battery comprises 48 modules, each of which incorporates four elementary cells. It is inside these cells that the electro-chemical reactions take place, enabling electrical current to be produced or energy to be stored.

  A year and a half ahead of the launch of Renault’s production electric vehicles, the 15kWh battery of the Kangoo be bop Z.E. prototype delivers a range of approximately 100km. At launch, Renault electric vehicles will profit from an evolution to their battery technology which will take their real-world range to 160km.

  Last but not least, lithium-ion batteries are recyclable and the Renault-Nissan Alliance is actively working on establishing recycling processes and infrastructures adapted to automotive batteries.

  Kangoo be bop Z.E. is charged via a MarechalTM-type socket located behind a flap at the front of the vehicle alongside the right-hand headlamp. The other end of the cable is fitted with a normal plug which connects to the mains supply.

  This plug permits two different battery-charging modes:

  a conventional charge via a household mains supply (10A or 16A 220V) which can charge the vehicle in a timescale of between six to eight hours. This mode is perfectly suited to vehicles which are parked up overnight or during the day at the workplace.

  a so-called ‘quick charge’ using a 32A 400V three phase socket, enabling up to 80 per cent of Kangoo be bop Z.E.’s capacity to be charged in approximately 30 minutes.

  Approximately twenty car manufacturers – including Renault – and energy groups have been working with the German group RWE to develop a universal standard plug. Shown at April’s Hanover Messe technology fair, it will be used to charge the batteries of future Renault electric vehicles. The three phase plug can be used with a 400V supply enabling a complete charge in approximately 20 minutes. This multi-partner agreement marks a significant step forward in the development of mass market electric vehicles. Kangoo be bop Z.E. is also equipped with a brake energy recovery system which enables it to be charged while on the move.

  The Alliance’s electric vehicle strategy

  The Renault-Nissan Alliance aims at starting associations with governments, city authorities and energy companies with a view to promoting the widespread use of electric vehicles across the world. Twenty-four such partnerships have already been sealed to date.

  The first all-electric Nissan vehicle is due to be launched in the United States and Japan in 2010, and Nissan is set to market its electric vehicles worldwide from 2012.

  Renault will start marketing all-electric models in 2011, beginning with a family saloon in Israel, and a utility version of New Kangoo in Europe. Two new, highly innovative vehicles are then scheduled for release in 2012.

  Renault’s zero-emission, silent-running electric vehicles will incontestably break new ground, while at the same being affordable for the majority of road users.

   

• Modern Car Design, Renault R-Space

  Renault R-Space MPV Concept is introduced at 2011 Geneva Motor Show. This MPV concept brings the Dezir Concept with original interior design that takes inspirations from modern furniture style. The dimension of this MPV vehicle is 4.25 meters in length. The exterior design of this R-Space shows the flowing design with soft line and smooth surface. The exterior design is inspired by human body. The one box is coupled with dynamic rear design and front end section, whereas the profile is designed with tapered side windows. Below is the complete information about this car.

  Official Press Release:

  Exterior Design

  “Renault R-Space Concept brings together qualities long considered opposed: family, functionality, sportiness and sensuality,” explains Axel Breun, Director of Design for Concept and Show Cars. “It answers the expectations of a large slice of our modern society.”

  The tapered profile of the side windows emphasizes the dynamic profile, while the large windscreen and panoramic roof – the thickness of which gradually changes – transform the passenger compartment into a cosy cocoon of shade.

  The nose of Renault R-Space Concept adapts the new visual identity (centered on the large, vertically-oriented Renault lozenge) to the proportions of an MPV. The body panels are shaped as sculptured volumes, meaning that the eye is drawn much more to reflections and the play of the light than to the lines themselves.

  The body design uses strong forms inspired by the human body. “With R-Space, it was the pent-up energy in tensed muscles that inspired me,” reveals Fabrice Pouille, exterior designer. “I wanted to make people feel the urge to caress the body, to make it sensuous – despite the fact that this is an MPV aimed at families.”

  Renault’s strategic sequence of concept car designs brings with it a parallel progression in their colours: starting with the passionate red of DeZir, future concept cars will follow the sequence of the chromatic circle. Coming after the orange employed for Captur, Renault R-Space Concept is clad in honey-gold bodywork.

  Interior Design

  The theme being that of the family, it was the image of the family Sunday breakfast that provided the inspiration for Renault R-Space Concept’s colours and materials.

  “The tenderness and warmth of these shared moments find their expression in tones that are hot and ‘sweet’: the white of the milk, the golden shades of the honey, the brown of the chocolate,” explains Laurence Widmer, Head of Colours and Materials on the R-Space concept car. The theme of softness and sweetness is also mirrored in the choice of materials – including suede – which are lush to look at and pleasing to the touch.

  Interior designer Alexandre Gommier explains: “To reinterpret this idea in a modern context, we provided a strong visual and functional contrast between the driver environment, where the focus is on driving pleasure, and a surprising and highly-original rear section conceived as a play space for children.”

  The scene comes to view as soon as you open the double doors which, unobstructed by any central pillar, give clear access to a spectacular interior designed to trigger strong emotions from the very first glance.

  In terms of interior design, the family likeness to the DeZir concept car is clearly visible at the front in the forms of the dashboard and seats. The driver enjoys a cockpit-like environment, with a section of the seemingly floating dashboard being specifically dedicated to driving functions. The interlinking movement suggested by the shaping of the front seat backrests is a return to the idea of a couple in love.

  At the rear, the world revolves around children. This is a play space, flexible and infinitely versatile, and formed from a simple and universal shape – the cube.

  Twenty-seven miniature motors power an array of height-adjustable hexahedrons, allowing four settings to be programmed, from an all-flat surface, to a booster seat, a table or a random configuration (only when the vehicle is parked) for children’s games.

  The cube is a consistent theme in furniture design but not something one expects to come across in the world of cars: in Renault R-Space Concept’s cabin, however, it is very much in evidence – to the extent of even forming the covering for the floor and door casings.

   

• Geneva Motor Show – 2011: Renault CAPTUR

  Introducing the new photos and sketches of conceptual crossover Renault Captur, whose premiere was held at the Geneva Motor Show.

  Concept was well received by the public, and the leadership of French companies have already announced that Captur (of course, a more mundane form) will soon go into series

   

• Renault Megane RS N4 2011

  Noted for its striking design and having won acclaim for the quality of its chassis and engine, Renault Mégane RS 250 is now to give rise to a rally car, N4, intended for private teams and drivers.

  As the only manufacturer to offer a full ‘rally’ range based on group R regulations, Renault Sport Technologies is now to add Renault Mégane RS N4 to its line-up. Developed for racing on asphalt, it is set to establish a new standard.

  With the same intrinsic qualities as the Mégane Renaultsport 250, the new model draws on a heritage of group N-homologated Renaults stretching back over a quarter of a century: 5 GT Turbo, R11 Turbo, R21 2l Turbo, R19 16V, Clio Williams and Clio RS.

  Intended to keep costs down, group N regulations impose strict rules on the modifications that can be made to the original car. This constraint works to the advantage of the Renault Mégane RS N4, which gets the full benefit of the technology used on the production model. The PerfoHub independent steering-axis front suspension design has allowed the engineers to put together a chassis that combines traction, directional stability and driving comfort in complete safety. The use of three-way adjustable shock absorbers also allows the settings to be adapted to all types of driving style.

  Under the bonnet, the performance of the 2.0-litre 16V turbo engine has been enhanced with an optimised electronic engine control system. Despite regulatory restrictions, the Mégane Renaultsport N4′s engine puts out 265hp and torque of 470 Nm. It is linked to a five-speed H-pattern gearbox, developed specifically for this purpose. On the strength of its experience in the field, Renault Sport Technologies has sought to design an innovative, reliable and high-performance package that also takes on board the notion of cost control at every stage of development. The intention is to make Renault Mégane RS N4 accessible to all drivers, and be both easy to handle and economical to run. Like all of the vehicles in its rally range, Mégane Renaultsport N4 is to be sold by Renault Sport Technologies in the form of a kit comprising all the specific parts.

  MÉGANE RENAULTSPORT: THE PINNACLE OF PRODUCTION CARS BY RENAULT SPORT TECHNOLOGIES

  Unveiled in 2009, Mégane RS 250 represents the pinnacle of production cars to date by Renault Sport Technologies. Acclaimed by the media and owners alike, it sets itself apart by virtue of its exceptional performance and roadholding. Powered by a four-cylinder 2.0 16V turbo engine generating 250hp and torque of 340 Nm, Mégane Renaultsport also stands out thanks to its characteristic chassis architecture, with the PerfoHub independent steering-axis front suspension which allows the steering and suspension to work independently of each other.

  To achieve perfect traction, the gearbox is equipped with a limited slip differential. Recognisable at first glance, the sporty design of Mégane RS is emphasised by the front bumper with its integrated F1-inspired aerodynamic blade, as well as the rear diffuser and centrally positioned exhaust outlet.

  GROUP N: THE SPIRIT OF PRIVATEER RACING

  According to the FIA, which determines the technical regulations, group N is open to mass production cars, more than 2,500 identical units of which must be produced over a period of 12 consecutive months. Created in 1982, group N is the category in which the cars are the closest to production models. The regulations permit very few limited modifications in order to keep costs down. Only minor modifications can be made to the engine, for example, compared to the production version – the ECU and exhaust line can be modified in accordance with strict rules. In order to guarantee reliability, the gearbox inners may be specific, but must be mounted in the original casing.

  MÉGANE RENAULTSPORT + GROUP N = MÉGANE RENAULTSPORT N4

  When developing Renault Mégane RS N4, Renault Sport Technologies drew on the performance of the production model to derive a car which both performs and is economical to run, all in the spirit of the Group N regulations. Drivers will be in a position to achieve top-class results on tarmac, all within a reasonable and controlled budget. With 265hp to be transferred to the front wheels, the suspension on the Mégane Renaultsport N4 had to be impeccable. Thanks to the PerfoHub set-up and the very latest-generation shock absorbers, roadholding and traction are both equally impressive.

  STEER TO PERFECTION

  First used at the end of the 1980s on the Superproduction version of the R21 Turbo, the independent steering-axis front axle was first introduced on a production car on the Mégane Renaultsport. By allowing the suspension and steering to work totally independently of each other, this mechanism allows MéganeRenaultsport N4 to benefit from handling and grip of the highest quality.

  THE LATEST IN SUSPENSION SYSTEMS

  Designed in conjunction with Öhlins, the suspension consists of four spring-shock absorbers using the most recent technologies available. The hydraulic rebound shock absorbers are three-way adjustable (high and low-speed compression, rebound). This allows for a vast range of settings to fit the road profile, level of grip, weather conditions and driving style. The quality of these suspension systems allows drivers to get the most out of the BF Goodrich tyres, mounted on 18-inch rims, and release their full potential on long special stages.

  BRAKE SYSTEM

  At the front, Renault Mégane RS N4 is fitted with 355mm-diameter discs and four-piston one-piece calipers. At the rear, the grooved disc taken from the standard production model is fitted with double-piston fixed calipers. As required by racing regulations, the ABS is disabled. Inside the cabin, a limiter system allows the driver to control rear braking pressure. In accordance with the regulations, the master cylinder and pedal assembly are taken from the production model. Essential on hairpins, a vertical lever-operated hydraulic handbrake has been added to the standard braking system.

  ENGINE AND GEARBOX: AT THE HEART OF EVERY RENAULT SPORT

  One of the major strengths to be carried over from MéganeRenaultsport 250 is the F4Rt 1998 cc 16-valve turbocharged engine. With no specific preparation performed on its internal parts, Renault Sport Technologies guarantees control over budget and engine reliability. The main developments are to the engine flywheel and the electronic engine management system developed by Cosworth Electronics to enhance performance despite the adoption of a regulation 33mm turbo restrictor. The engine on the Mégane Renaultsport N4 generates a maximum power output of 265hp from 4000 rpm and maximum torque of 470 Nm at 3000 rpm. In order to optimise performance on special stages, the air intercooler can be sprayed with water. The specific exhaust line incorporates a catalytic converter compliant with FIA standards and an expansion chamber.

  GEARBOX SPECIFIC TO THE COMPETITION VERSION

  In order to guarantee reliability, the gearbox is the component on which there is the most room for specific preparation. The regulations impose an H layout and the fitting of the gearbox in its original casing.

  The gearbox on Renault Mégane RS N4 is fitted with a self-locking limited slip differential (disc and ramp, «ZF»-type LSD). Several final torque settings enable the final gear ratios to be adjusted according to the specific characteristics of each event. The specific clutch system is supplied by AP Racing. The gearbox is also cooled by an oil radiator.

  SAFETY: NO COMPROMISE

  A priority in every phase of design and development, safety is an essential part of all the production and competition models developed by Renault Sport Technologies.

  The Mégane Renaultsport monocoque has been strengthened and stiffened to bring both active and passive safety close to perfection. The bodyshell is fitted with a welded roll cage, which is compliant with FIA regulations and has been validated by static load calculations. In the cabin, all the compulsory safety equipment is supplied by Sabelt. Two bucket seats fitted with HANS-compatible six-point harnesses, as well as an electrically-controlled automatic fire extinguisher system and a cut-out switch are all included as standard in the Mégane Renaultsport N4 racing kit.

  DESIGN AND ERGONOMICS: THE RENAULT SPORT BADGE

  Echoing the same sculpted design seen on Renault Mégane RS 250, the rally version emphasises the production model’s naturally sporty looks. The only addition is the roof-mounted air intake incorporated into the external lines of the car to distinguish the competition version from the production model. Benefiting from the assuredly sporty look of Mégane RS 250, the N4 version also features the front bumper with an integrated F1-style aerodynamic blade. The centrally-positioned exhaust outlet and rear diffuser also emphasize its shared pedigree with the Mégane Renaultsport. The 18-inch alloy wheels, fitted with BFGoodrich tyres, means the aggressive overall lines have been retained. In the cockpit, once seated in the Sabelt bucket seats, driver and co-driver will find the production dashboard and central console. In addition to the standard equipment, the dashboard on the Renault Mégane RS N4 also features an LCD screen which provides all the essential information on how the engine is running, as well as a tripmaster and LEDs for optimised gear changes.

  TECHNICAL SUPPORT: A TEAM THAT STANDS BY ITS CUSTOMERS

  Renault Sport Technologies provides comprehensive technical support for its entire range of racing products. Every year, Renault Sport Technologies’ operations engineers are present at dozens of rallies at both national and international level.

  Ongoing support, including a hotline available since 2003, ensures that all customers remain in direct contact with Renault Sport Technologies’ engineers, either by telephone or email. Available right from the moment the kit is received, this support service means that drivers and teams can benefit from Renault Sport Technologies’ expertise and supervision while the car is being assembled. Feedback provided in this way also allows Renault Sport Technologies to gather, analyze and quickly relay any useful information to all of its customers.

  An extranet site is also available, where technicians can download technical and sales documentation, technical bulletins, assembly instructions and setup sheets.

  TECHNICAL DATA

  • CHASSIS
    • Type: Steel monocoque with welded roll cage
    • Bodywork: Steel
  • ENGINE
    • Layout: Front transversally-mounted
    • Type: Renault F4RT RS – 4 cylinders – 16 valve – 1,998cc
    • Bore x stroke: 82.7 x 93 mm
    • Fuel injection / ignition: Cosworth Electronics Management System
    • Maximum power: 265hp from 4,000 rpm
    • Maximum torque: 470 Nm @ 3,000 rpm
    • Maximum revs: 6,700 rpm
  • TRANSMISSION
    • Type: Front-wheel drive
    • Gearbox: 5-speed gearbox + reverse
    • Layout: In H configuration
    • Differential: ZF type, limited slip, self-locking differential
    • Clutch: Hydraulically-controlled single disc
  • AXLES AND SUSPENSION SYSTEMS
    • Front: PerfoHub independent steering axis suspension, Öhlins double-piston shock absorbers, 3-way adjustable + hydraulic rebound
    • Rear: Programmed deflection, torsion beam suspension with coil springs, Öhlins twin tube shock absorbers, 3-way adjustable + hydraulic rebound
    • Discs: 355 mm ventilated discs (front) and 290 mm solid grooved discs (rear)
    • Calipers: Four-piston one-piece (front) and double-piston one-piece (rear)
    • Handbrake: Hydraulic
  • WHEELS AND TYRES
    • Rims: 8×18 one-piece aluminium wheels
    • Tyres: BFGoodrich 225/40 R 18
  • DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES
    • Length: 4,302mm
    • Overall width: 1,848mm
    • Height: 1,423mm
    • Wheel base: 2,640mm
    • Front tracks: 1,627mm
    • Rear tracks: 1,600mm
    • SCx: 0.75
    • Fuel tank: 60 litres
    • N4 Kit Price: 57,500 euros, £48,250

   

• 2011 Renault Gordini Twingo in New Diesel Version

  To meet the sales success of the Twingo and the Clio RS Gordini Gordini RS, Renault Twingo has decided to extend the Gordini supply catalog with the addition of the new Twingo Gordini (no “RS”) which will fit in the range of the GT version the Twingo. This shows signs of the desire to exist in this kind of brand name, and that Renault was not wrong to bet on Gordini (as many mistakenly thought).

  TCe Twingo version with 100 hp engine and can be ordered from France, at a price that some of the € 14,800, and little by little, it will be offering to other markets (Spain included) Europeans. Gordini success demonstrated by more than 28,000 fans who have their page on Facebook, as well as over 115,000 downloads of its application for the iPhone. It is noteworthy that most of these fans are girls, and a large number of buyers (buyers, in this case) are female.