Renault is currently working on a trio of electric cars that will be rolled out starting in 2011. The first to appear will be a four-door sedan based on the Megane. This one will debut in Israel as part of the Better Place rollout that includes a charging and battery exchange infrastructure. A battery-powered version of the Kangoo MPV will also be built. That vehicle will be used as a competitor and VIP shuttle for the 2012 London Olympic games. The Megane and Kangoo are expected to have a range of about 100-120 miles on a charge with a charge time ranging from 30 minutes to 8 hours depending on the current available from the outlet. The third car will be a dedicated EV city car. It is expected to be slightly larger than the Twingo mini but the timing of that car is unknown at this time.

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The best description we could think of for Renault’s Paris Show Z.E. concept car is a Kangoo of the not-so distant future. And truly enough, the Z.E., which by the way stands for Zero Emissions, is indeed based on the new Kangoo Be-Bop that also made its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show. The concept study utilizes the Renault-Nissan Group’s new electric drivetrain that will be massed produced in the beginning of the next decade.  More specifically, the Z.E. is equipped with a 70kW (95hp) electric motor which delivers torque of 226Nm with energy being provided by a latest generation set of lithium-ion type batteries.

Other notable features on the Z.E. Concept is include the use of heat-reflective paint and insulating bodywork that limits variations in temperature between the exterior and the interior of the car and the roof top solar panels that power a temperature regulation system. Continued

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Aside from the new Megane 5door hatchback, the Laguna Coupe and the Odelios luxury crossover concept, details and pictures of which have already been released, Renault will perform three more world debuts at next week’s 2008 Mondial De L’Automobile in Paris. According to the French automaker, the Paris show will see the global unveiling of a third model in the new Kangoo family, plus a further concept car and a production model.

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Even though what you’re seeing in these pictures is most likely a clay model, this is how the production version of the three-door Megane will look like when it goes on sale in early 2009. The photos that come to us from a patent application made within the EU reveal that the 3door variant of Renault’s subcompact hatch draws its inspiration –though heavily toned down- from the Megane Coupe Concept that appeared at the Geneva motorshow earlier this year. Compared to the 5door model, the Megane Coupe features a substantially sleeker profile thanks to the lower roofline, the triangular-shaped rear windows and the sloped rear-end. Under the bonnet, expect to see a similar engine range with the Meagen 5d. What this means is that petrol engine options will include 1.6-liter units developing 100 and 110 HP, a 2.0-liter motor with 140 HP and two new turbocharged units, the 1.4-liter TCe producing 130 HP and the 2.0-liter TCe with 180 HP. For those that favor diesel power, Renault will offer the Megane Coupe with several dCi units delivering between 85 and 160 HP.

No word yet on whether Renault will introduce a successor to the almighty Megane RS and its special edition siblings like the R26 and the lightweight R26.R that lapped the ‘Ring in 8 min and 17 sec , but judging from the French automaker’s past, a range-topping sport version should be considered a done deal.

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The limited edition Renault Megane R26.R made its world premier today at the British International Motor Show. Virtually a track-ready version of the Megane RS 230 F1 Team R26, the R26.R may not have the forthcoming Focus RS’ 300Hp but according to Renault, on 23 June it established a new lap record for a front wheel drive production car of the Nürburgring circuit with a time of just 8 minutes 17 seconds.Based on the Megane 230 F1 Team R26, the R26.R retains the same 230 Hp 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, 6-speed gearbox (albeit with a short-shift gear linkage) and limited slip differential but with a significant weight reduction of 123kg or 271 lbs. This was achieved with the removal of the rear seats, passenger and curtain airbags, A/C, rear wash/wipe and heated rear window, front fog lamps, headlamp washers, radio/CD player, most of the soundproofing. Moreover the R26.R obtained a carbon fibre bonnet (saves 7.5kg), tailgate and rear side windows in polycarbonate (saves 5.7kg), sabelt seats with carbon fibre shell and aluminum base (saves 25kg)

Renault also upgraded the car’s suspension by re-calibrating the shock absorber settings and adding new front / rear springs and stiffer lower arm bushes. The brakes have also been updated with large 312mm ventilated discs at the front with Brembo four-piston calipers. To resist fade, the discs are grooved as opposed to drilled.

The R26.R accelerates from zero to 62mph (100 km/h) in 6 sec and passes the 1000 meter mark in 25.9 sec. Not that anyone interested in a car like this would car but the R26.R’s combined fuel consumption is 33.2 mpg UK (8.5 lt/100km or 27.7 mpg US) and emissions are 199g/km.

On the outside the R26.R can be distinguished from the carbon fibre bonnet and new 18” alloy wheels in red or black together with a new rear spoiler, plus R26.R decals and logos and tinted polycarbonate in place of glass in the tailgate and rear side windows. Additionally, the car’s ‘Ring time is etched on the windows. Renault’s track ready Megane R26.R is available in seven colors, two of which are new to the Megane, Racing Blue and Lunar Grey and one is totally brand new, Pearlescent White.

Inside the R26.R features competition seats with a carbon fibre shell and six-point harnesses -the first time that this form of restraint has been homologated in a production car. Also the steering wheel and gearlever gaiter are in leather and suede. Furthermore, buyers can opt for a full roll cage.

The Megane R26.R will go on sale in October but production limited to just 450 examples in total - 230 for the UK, 126 for France, 26 for Spain, 26 for Switzerland and 26 for Germany In the UK, the price for Renault’s radical Megane has been set at £22,990 OTR ($46,000 or €29,000).

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It was rumored that Nissan/Renault was serious about fielding a low-priced competitor to the $2,500 USD Tata Nano, and the automaker made it official today by announcing a plan to produce an equally inexpensive car called the ULC in conjunction with Indian automaker Bajaj Auto. The two companies are forming a joint-venture to produce the ULC, which will be built at an all-new facility in Chakan, India at an initial rate of 400,000 units per year. The Tata Nano has no need for concern just yet, as the ULC isn’t scheduled to go on sale until early 2011 in India and then even later in export countries. We’re doubtful that the U.S. is among those export considerations, but parts of Europe will likely see the ULC not long after the Nano arrives in their market.

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Renault has already hinted at building electric cars in Israel towards the end of the decade in a deal with Shai Agassi’s Project Better Place – an initiative designed to make electric vehicles a practical reality. However, according to new reports Renault will also build its own range of electric vehicles for sale in international markets.

Renault’s alliance partner Nissan is also working on an electric vehicle for sale in 2010 and it’s likely the two carmakers are sharing technology and investment to help speed up development and minimize risk. Like the new Nissan electric vehicle, which is expected to be based on the next-generation Cube minicar, Renault’s new model will also fill the sub-compact segment and will be targeted at customers in congested cities.

Speaking with AutoExpress, Renault’s director of product planning, Patrick Pelata, revealed the car could be launched in time for the 2012 London Olympics. He also hinted that it would be about the same size as the Twingo and could be available with two different batteries – a lighter unit for short distances and a larger one for weekend trips. Designers are also considering implementing a battery rental scheme to help absorb the costs of the powertrain.

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