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Renault has chosen Geneva for the public appearances of New Mégane, New Espace
and its Altica concept car and the unveiling of the New Clio Renault Sport.
There is also a world premiere at the show, with Renault revealing its new
environment-friendly particulate filter technology featuring exhaust
post-injection. Finally, following the launch of the benchmark 2.0 diesel
powerplant, Renault introduces its new powerful, responsive and quiet 2.0 16V
petrol engine.
Renault continues the renewal of its range at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show with
the public appearances of New Mégane and New Espace.
Renault takes the wraps off New Clio Renault Sport, an outstanding car which
puts the accent firmly on performance, passion and driving pleasure.
Meanwhile, the Altica concept car stands out as a sporty estate which
combines the practicality of the latter with the sports appeal of a coupé.
In addition to these new cars, the Renault-Nissan Alliance's new 2.0 16V
140hp (101.5kW) petrol engine and the 1.5 dCi 105hp (76kW) diesel engine
equipped with a patented innovation – the world's first self-regenerating
particulate filter with exhaust post-injection – will both be on show for the
very first time.
The Renault F1 Team's new challenger, the R26, which will spearhead the
defence of its Formula 1 Constructors' and Drivers' world titles, features on
the stand and reasserts Renault's passion for motor sport
New Mégane: big on driving pleasure
Available in a choice of five body types (Hatch, Sport Hatch, Sport Saloon,
Sport Tourer and Coupé-Cabriolet, plus the high-performance Mégane Renault Sport
version), all of which feature a distinctive, individual personality, New Mégane
is more eye-catching than ever with a modern, tapered headlamp design, revised
bumpers and grille, translucent rear lights and a choice of new wheel trims and
wheels.
New Mégane also comes in a selection of new colours – including optional
integral paint – which match the refined, bright interior trims. For added
comfort, New Mégane features a parking proximity sensor and a new-generation
navigation system. In addition to its facelifted styling, New Mégane is powered
by a revised range of engines – all Euro 4-compliant – for even more dynamism
and driving pleasure. The principal changes concern the diesel powerplants.
These now include the new benchmark 2.0 dCi 150hp engine which provides
unprecedented driving sensations for this segment. Meanwhile, the 1.9 dCi
engine, whose power output has been increased to 130hp, now comes with a
periodic-regeneration particulate filter. In addition to the six-speed manual
gearbox, it can also be coupled to Renault’s flick-shift, four-speed Proactive
automatic transmission. New Mégane is available too with the 1.5 dCi 85hp and
105hp engines. The 105hp variant boasts the best power/fuel consumption/CO2
emissions ratio of its class and is coupled for the first time to a six-speed
manual gearbox. It is also available for the first time on the Coupé-Cabriolet.
In addition to this selection of proven and new diesel powerplants, the range of
petrol engines features the 1.4 16V (100hp), the 1.6 16V (110hp), the 2.0 16V
(135hp) and the 2.0 T (165hp), plus the 225hp 2.0 16V Turbo which powers Mégane
Renault Sport.
New Espace: features to ensure it maintains its leading status
With its seductive and aesthetic appeal, dynamic performance, excellence in
perceived quality and travelling comfort, New Espace goes further than it has
ever done before. Softer styling, innovative cornering lights, the Carminat
Navigation and Communication System and availability of the new 2.0 dCi engine
are just some of the features poised to ensure that the leader of the
top-of-the-range MPV segment maintains its edge.
The new particulate filter-equipped 2.0 dCi diesel engine delivers 150hp and
175hp and ensures that New Espace benefits from exceptional performance for this
level of engine size. A new six-speed automatic transmission is available for
the new 3.0 dCi V6 diesel engine which boasts torque of 400Nm for even more
flexibility and driving pleasure. Thanks to a choice of three petrol and four
diesel powerplants, which can be coupled to five- or six-speed manual or
Proactive automatic transmission, New Espace places the accent firmly on dynamic
performance and driving pleasure. New Espace's exterior lines are softer, yet
its personality is as distinctive as ever and points clearly to its high-end MPV
standing. New Espace is also the first vehicle of its class to feature bi-Xenon
cornering lights. Inside, the perceived quality and the sense of warmth and
brightness it exudes make New Espace an even more pleasurable experience. New
Espace is also available with the latest Carminat Navigation and Communication
System which combines voice synthesis with a three-dimensional display. The
system comes with a panoramic 7-inch screen built into the new dashboard design,
Bluetooth technology for a hands-free telephone and a CD/MP3-compatible player.
The automatically-attaching sliding rear seats can be taken out, moved and
positioned with ease to make the most of New Espace's advanced modularity and
perfectly flat floor according the needs of the moment. And for complete ease of
mind when travelling as a family, New Espace's active and passive safety
features make it once again the benchmark in its segment.
Altica: a sporty estate with the accent on practicality
The Geneva Motor Show sees Renault take the wraps off its new concept car,
Altica, a sporty estate that combines flowing lines and a spacious interior. Its
dynamic stance is underpinned by a long bonnet and curved forms, while its
modular interior ensures outstanding load capacity. Altica stands out as a
dynamic vision of the estate, combining the practicality of the latter, the
sports appeal of a coupé and a high standard of travelling comfort.
Engines and transmissions: pioneering expertise
A world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show: Renault unveils its new
environment-friendly particulate filter with exhaust post-injection. This
innovative technology, which will be available during the first half of 2006 on
the 85hp and 105hp versions of the 1.5 dCi diesel engine that powers Clio and
Modus, permits self-regeneration of the particulate filter in all traffic
situations, even when the car is at a standstill with the engine idling. An
injector mounted directly in the exhaust pipe enables the regeneration process
to operate continuously, making this ingenious system – which has been awarded
numerous patents – particularly suited to urban traffic applications. With this
advance, Renault is meeting the demands of its customers by making its range of
clean, fuel-efficient, low-emission engines even more environment-friendly.
Following the launch of its benchmark 2.0 diesel engine, Renault unveils a
new powerful, responsive and quiet 2.0 petrol powerplant. This new engine (M4R)
boasts remarkable driveability, delivering high power and torque from low engine
revs, sustained response at high revs, and quiet running under all conditions.
The new 140hp (101.5kW) 2.0-litre 16-valve unit will soon be appearing in Clio,
coupled with one of two transmissions – a new-generation, four-speed Proactive
automatic transmission (DP0+) or a six-speed manual gearbox (TL4). Both of these
powerful and responsive powertrains will maximize Clio’s inherent potential as a
grand touring model. With this engine, Clio will set the standard in terms of
driveability and acoustics in the B segment. Both the engine and the six-speed
manual gearbox were co-developed under the Renault-Nissan Alliance.
Active and passive safety
Renault has one of the safest ranges on the market and eight of its models
have been awarded the maximum five-star crash test rating by the independent
Euro NCAP organization. Renault continues to innovate on the safety front, with
an energy-absorbing seat/headrest package, a new seating concept for children
aged between 6 and 10 sitting in the central rear seat on Clio and pretensioners
for the two outer rear seats.
Renault launches its sixth “Safety for All” programme aimed at youngsters.
Based on a fun but educational approach to road safety, this programme offers a
number of different themes according to age, with the "Kids on the Road” and
“Express Yourself!” projects for primary and secondary schools respectively as
well as national campaigns aimed at young drivers. Run in 19 countries, this
programme has reached out to 7 million youngsters since its launch in 2000.
Motor sport After winning both the Constructors' and Drivers'
Formula 1 World Championships in 2005, Renault is ahead of its game plan. With
the competitive new R26, the new RS26 V8 engine and a lineup of quick, reliable
drivers, the Renault F1 Team has numerous trump cards in its possession as it
begins the defence of both titles in 2006..
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