Renault-Nissan Form Electric Car Alliance with Portuguese Government

The Government of Portugal and the Renault Nissan Alliance have announced a partnership to promote zero-emission electric cars across the country. Under the agreement that was signed off today, the government will help the Renault Nissan Group study how to create the right conditions to make electric vehicles an attractive offer for Portuguese consumers as well as increasing public awareness. There will also be a joint study for the infrastructure and related organizations required to create a nationwide network of charging stations for electric vehicles.

The Renault Nissan Group is planning to launch its first mass market electric vehicles (EV) in 2011 and Portugal will be one of the lead global markets for the introduction of EVs from the Alliance. -Continued

“Portugal has become a leading country in renewable energy. This agreement with Renault-Nissan will place Portugal also on the front line in terms of sustainable mobility with zero-emission vehicles. Promoting electric cars in Portugal will reduce our dependence on imported oil and will contribute to a cleaner environment,” said Portugal’s Prime Minister José Sócrates.

“With the rising cost of oil and continuing concerns about C02 emissions, we believe the ultimate solution to sustainable mobility will be the mass availability of zero-emission vehicles,” said Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn. “Portugal is a recognized global leader in the development of renewable energy, and we applaud the government’s actions to make electric cars an economic reality for their citizens.”

Renault Alpine Concept: C'est Magnifique!

Despite the French title, the scale model you see pictured above is actually the work of a Russian designer named Arseny Kostromin who’s a graduate of the Moscow State Technical University (MAMI). Kostromin’s proposal for a modern successor to the iconic Renault Alpine A110 really caught our attention thanks to its simple design and most importantly, because it pays tribute to the original concept without going retro-haywire. Maybe Renault should give this guy a chance for its long rumored Alpine sportscar. -Image gallery after the jump

Via: WFC , Source: Cardesign

Renault UK Announces Pricing on Clio Sport Tourer

The eloquently named estate version of Renault’s Clio supermini has arrived on UK shores with prices starting from £12,095 for the 1.2 16V 75 to £14,495 for the dCi 106. The Clio Sport Tourer is offered with a choice of three petrol (75Hp 1.2, 100Hp 1.2 Turbo & 11Hp 1.6) and two diesel engines (1.5dCi 86 and 106Hp). According to Renault, the Clio Sport Tourer is ideal for those who want the space and practicality of an estate car with the compact dimensions of a city car. -Pricing and pics after the jump

Prices for the Clio Sport Tourer Dynamique are:

Model	Price	Insurance Group
1.2 16V 75	£12,095	2E
1.2 TCe 100	£12,795	4E
1.6 VVT 111 Auto	£14,195	5E
dCi 86	£13,745	3E
dCi 106	£14,495	5E

2009 Renault Scenic MPV III Scooped Without Camouflage

Somehow, the folks over at French car magazine “Autoplus” have managed yet again to get "comfortable" with a totally undisguised example of a future Renault product, this time with the 2009 Scenic III. The third generation of Renault’s mid-sized people carrier is based on a modified version of the 2009 Megane’s platform and like the current model, it too will be offered in two guises; the standard five-seater Scenic and the seven-seater Grand Scenic with an extended-wheelbase. -Continued

As with all previous generations of Renault’s popular mid-size MPV, the Scenic III is expected to offer a wide variety of storage solutions and a fully customizable interior. The Renault Scenic III will most probably make its public debut along with the new Megane at the forthcoming Paris Motor Show in October with sales following in early 2009.

Scans via: Autoplus

Renault – Nissan Break Ground For New Indian Plant That Will Build The New Micra

Today, French carmaker Renault and its affiliate Nissan performed the ground breaking ceremony for their new passenger vehicle plant in Chennai, India, that’s expected to begin operations in 2010. The facility will have an annual production capacity of 400,000 and will produce vehicles for export and the local market for both Renault and Nissan, including the all-new Nissan Micra and the Renault/Dacia Logan. The 50:50 joint venture between Renault and Nissan, represents an investment of a minimum of €780 million / U.S. $1.1 billion.

2009 Renault Megane Fully Exposed

Although we’ve seen these pictures of the unmasked 2009 Renault Megane before, our friend Stavros sent us a new set of high-res versions that were scanned from British car magazine Autoexpress. The larger images allow us to get a better view of the VW Golf-sized French compact hatch that seems to have been scooped (?) inside Renault’s factory.

The new Megane, which is partially inspired from the 2008 Geneva Show Megane Coupe concept, will be available in five-door and three-door/coupe versions that differ significantly in design. The Megane’s debut is planned for the forthcoming Paris Show this fall, with sales following shortly after. –More pics after the jump

Via: Autoexpress –Thanks for the pics Stavros!

Update: Renault Laguna Coupe New Image Gallery

This past Saturday, Renault took the occasion of the 61st international film festival in Cannes and the Monaco Grand Prix to present its new Laguna Coupe that will compete against the likes of the Peugeot 407 Coupe and the BMW 3-Series Coupe.

We’ve already given you the initial details on Renault’s Aston Martin-wannabe Laguna Coupe –see here, but the French carmaker came out today with pictures from the presentation at the Cannes Film Festival along with several images that were shot at the track of the 66th Monaco Grand Prix. In particular, two Laguna Coupes completed several laps of Monaco's legendary circuit in the hands of ING Renault F1 Team test drivers Lucas di Grassi and Romain Grosjean. -Image gallery after the jump