Renault Koleos

By Ben Pulman

First official pictures

11 February 2008 10:01

Renault’s first proper 4x4 is here. After the disappointment of Scenics clad in black 'off-road' plastic, we finally have the Koleos SUV, unveiled today. It's the fruit of a surprisingly mixed relationship: Renault did the design, Nissan developed it and it’ll be built in the Renault Samsung plant in Korea. But despite the complex family tree, it looks pretty slick and compact. But at 4.52m long and 1.85m wide it’s actually bigger than a VW Tiguan (4427mm and 1809mm).

Of course Renault says the Koleos offers genuine off-road ability, but we’re more interested in the practical aspects that we’ll actually use. There’s a split-opening tailgate that can take up to 200kg, and the Laguna Sport Tourer’s ‘Super-fold’ system. At the touch of a button the back seats fold flat giving 1380 litres of space. There’s 450 litres with all five seats in place.

Renault Koleos: the French 4x4

Most of the dashboard parts have been lifted from other Renaults, so the sat-nav, audio controls and air vents will all be familiar to fans of La Regie, as are the engines. At launch, just one 2.0-litre diesel will be available in two states of tune: 148bhp with two- or four-wheel drive and a six-speed manual or auto 'box, or with 173bhp, four-wheel drive and a manual gearbox.

How will it drive? The Macpherson struts are combined with the fully independent rear from the Nissan X-Trail to keep it tidy on the road. Venture over the kerb and into the wilds, and you'll appreciate skid plates, 188mm of ground clearance and a four-wheel drive system that can send up to 50 percent of torque to the rear wheels. It also helps quell understeer and oversteer. Hill Start Assist means you can crawl down inclines at 4mph, while the sat-nav has a compass, altimeter and barometer. Ideal for budding meterologists.

The Koleos will go on sale in July 2008, with prices and final specs being announced nearer launch. We expect the Koleos to start from £18,000.

The Koleos will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show on 4 March 2008. CAR Magazine Online will be reporting live from Switzerland - so come back for all the latest news from the show over the next few weeks

Renault Laguna Coupe

By Tim Pollard

Spyshots

05 February 2008 11:37

Renault’s svelte Laguna Coupe looks set to survive into production relatively unscathed. The concept car we saw at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show (inset) will spawn a sleek three-door fastback, if our spy photos from the Arctic are anything to go by.

We’ll see the finished car this spring before driving it in the autumn; the first customer cars are due at the end of 2008, wearing price tags from around £20,000. Don’t expect all the engine options from the workaday Laguna range, which spans from a 1.5 dCi to 2.0-litre petrol and diesel options. The coupe will cherry pick the most powerful engines at launch, and it’ll also offer Renault-Nissan’s new 3.0 V6 dCi which punts out around 260bhp through the front wheels.

Renault Laguna: the four-wheel steer

The Laguna’s all-wheel steer chassis will also be offered as an option; when CAR drove it last year, our testers were impressed by the handling and stability benefits of steering both axles.

Combined with the 3.7-litre V6 that we’ve already tried in the Infiniti G37 coupe, it could make quite a sporty big Renault. And when’s the last time we could write that with any confidence?

Renault Twingo Renaultsport

Renault Twingo Renaultsport

By Tom Clarkson

First official pictures

31 January 2008 18:17

Renault today unveiled its new 133bhp Twingo RS in Paris - with a little help from F1 stars Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet Jnr, who were in town for the launch of their R28 F1 car.

The Twingo RS has a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre engine that produces 20bhp more than the 1.2-litre turbo of the Twingo GT. There are cosmetic differences between the two cars as well, such as extended front and rear wings, a rear spoiler and a lower front bumper on the RS.

Renault Twingo RS v R28 confusion

'People want to have emotion,' said Renault president and CEO Carlos Ghosn. 'They want to imagine driving an F1 car and they want to have fun. The Twingo RS will give them the emotion they want.' Hmmm, while we agree with the sentiment, we can't imagine many drivers confusing their Twingo for the R28.

The Twingo RS will go on-sale in the autumn with a price tag between £12-£13k. In the meantime, it won’t be seen again in public until the Geneva Motor Show in March 2008.

Launching the Renault R28 F1 car

With Fernando Alonso driving for them, Renault won back-to-back World Championships in 2005 and ’06. Without him in ’07, they were nowhere.

'Last season was a disaster,' said Renault F1 boss Flavio Briatore at the launch of the team’s new R28 in Paris. 'This season we have Fernando back where he belongs, with the Renault family, and I hope that we can challenge for the podium at every race and score the occasional win.'

These are ambitious targets for a team that scored only one podium last year, in the rain-affected Japanese GP. But that is what Renault believe the ‘Alonso factor’ to be worth.

Alonso in shakedown tests

Fernando shook down the new car last week and reported that more development work was needed. 'There are no problems with it,' he said, 'but we need to develop it as fast as we can before the first race.'

For the second successive year, the double World Champion has a rookie team-mate. He suffered at the hands of Lewis Hamilton last year and he has Nelson Piquet Jnr to contend with in ’08, and it will be no easy task. In GP2, Piquet Jnr – son of triple World Champion Nelson Snr – outqualified Hamilton more often than not. Get ready for more fireworks.

Renault Grand Modus

By Tim Pollard

First official pictures

09 October 2007 05:53

Renault Grand Modus: the lowdown

Let's not beat around the bush. The Renault Modus has not sold as well as its paymasters hoped. Hence this stretched version, designed to offer more space to broaden the appeal of this high-roof supermini cum mini-MPV. That's the backdrop to the Grand Modus, the stretched mini to partner the Grand versions of the Scenic and Espace. And Renault has repeated the formula here, with a 93mm longer wheelbase liberating more space for limbs and luggage.

It's another small car that's getting bigger!

You're right. Small cars are growing bigger and bigger. Where will it all end? Some will say that the Grand Modus, at 4034mm long, is hardly a small car any more. But you can't deny that it has a huge boot (at 410 litres, the biggest in class according to Renault) and there's useful extra space for passengers too. The three-body rear benchseat slides and tips forward, depending on your lugging needs. And if the Grand Modus is too big, you can stick with the normal Modus, also freshly spruced up and the same size as before at a more manageable 3873mm long.

When do the new Modii arrive?

Production starts in early 2008, so you'll see both new Modus variants next spring. Will it be worth the wait? The Modus has always been a decent small car - if you need a small package with extra versatility. It's just that not enough buyers in Europe have flocked to this new breed of mini MPVs...

Renault Clio 197 Cup

By Tim Pollard

First official pictures

27 September 2007 02:59

Renault Clio Renaultsport 197 Cup: the lowdown

Look past the mouthful of a name (Renaultsport models still manage to be a real mouthful, n'est-ce pas?), and this should be one of our favourite hot hatches of the year. The new Clio 197 Cup is the full production version of the limited-edition Renault Clio 197 F1 Team R27. See what I mean about long names? This is the hot hatch for discerning hot hatch lovers - only those with precision g-meters built into their backsides will fully appreciate the chassis tweaks that make the Cup a dartier, more precise pocket rocket. We're talking a 7mm drop in ride height, with stiffer springs and recalibrated dampers.

What else is new on the Clio 197 Cup?

Those suspension tweaks are the main change; the spring and damper rates are claimed to be 27 percent stiffer at the front, 30 percent at the rear, making the Cup track flat and hard through the twisty stuff. We thought the chassis revisions on the limited-edition R27 were the business, and there's no reason why they won't work on this regular 197 version. The only other mechanical change is longer gearing, which will become standard on all Clio 197s from now on. Both fifth and sixth gears are stretched marginally (top now runs 20.5mph per 1000rpm, rather than the boisterous 18.9mph in the normal 197) to make motorway cruising a less riotous affair. We're not convinced that's enough to make the Clio a proper long-distance proposition; take CAR's long-term test car on a long trip, and it's like spending an evening in a drum 'n' bass nightclub.

This is a modern hot hatch, so I'm guessing there will be plenty of cosmetic mods too?

The 197 Cup is the first of this generation to be available in white (as pictured), while the wheels will come as standard in anthracite, or satin black Speedline alloys as an option. Air-con is now optional (Renault says so owners can save weight. We say it's so Renault saves money) and lightweight Recaros are available too. The Cup arrives in showrooms in October, when prices and further details will be announced.

Renault Laguna Coupe concept

By Tim Pollard

Motor shows & events

10 September 2007 10:11

Renault Laguna Coupé Concept: the lowdown

Critics of the new dull-looking new Laguna - and there have been a few - can seek solace in the new two-door coupé version unveiled today in Frankfurt. It's a far sleeker affair, although a concept. And we all know what happens to sexy concepts before they reach the high street. We just have to hope the officials who vouch it won't change much for production aren't just toeing the company line. This isn't no sports coupé designed to trade off Renault's reputation in F1. Think of it as the company's answer to its domestic rival Peugeot's 407 Coupé. Click 'Next' to read the full story.

I like the look of it... what's different from the saloon?

Every body panel is different, and there are some lush design details on this show special. It's the first Renault with LED headlamps and Renault boss Carlos Ghosn made the typical concept car usual claim that its interior was made using craftmanship from luxury watches. Back in the real world, this concept car does provide numerous clues to the production car. For starters, it ushers in the company's new V6 turbodiesel, a 3.0-litre cranking out 265bhp. There will also be Nissan's 3.5-litre V6, plus more wallet-friendly 2.0-litres in both petrol (205bhp) and diesel (180bhp) guise. All will drive the front wheels.

Looks great. When can I buy one?

You'll have to wait a while longer yet. The production version will be shown at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, finally rolling into showrooms at the end of 2008. Expect prices to compete with the 407 Coupé, which means a starter bill of just under £20,000. It could be worth the wait if Renault manages to keep some of this silhouette - the 350Z roofline and a hint of Aston Martin rear end - in the production version. Here's hoping.

How will it drive?

We've already driven the new Laguna and came away impressed; it's definitely near the top of the class, if not our current champion. The sportier two-door will add the company's new four-wheel steer system, which is claimed to improve handling and manoeuvrability. CAR Online is driving a Laguna 4ws soon, so come back next week to see if it works. Ghosn claims the new 3.0 V6 TD is strong enough to hit 62mph in a scant 7.0sec and is also proud of the quality gains made by Renault. Successions of execs at the French car maker have claimed to improve reliability gremlins, so we'll have to let time test his claims; primary quality in the showroom is certainly better, but we'll pass judgment on mechanical sturdiness of the new Laguna.

Renault Twingo

By Ben Whitworth

First official pictures

25 June 2007 03:05

A GTI for the cash-strapped, then?

Exactly. Renault’s new Twingo range arrives in showrooms in September, topped by the feisty GT with plenty of downsizer appeal. It only packs a 100bhp 1.2-litre engine beneath its stubby bonnet but Renault claims the £9999 turbocharged supermini delivers the performance of a much bigger-engined car without any economy or emissions penalties. Perfect for budget buyers wanting a lot of flash for their cash.

So plenty of go and tiny fuel bills?

Relatively speaking, yes. The GT’s all-alloy blown unit develops 100bhp at 5500rpm and 107lb ft of torque at 3000rpm – enough to scoot the 980kg Twingo to 60mph in 9.8 seconds and onto a 117mph top speed, while still returning a combined economy figure of 47.8mpg and a 140g/km CO2 rating. That’s a power-parsimony ratio to put it slightly behind rivals like Fiat’s Panda 100 and the Citroen C2 VTS in outright speed but well ahead at the fuel pumps.

So what else do I get for my ten grand?

Standard equipment for the Twingo range – which kicks off with the £8375 Dynamique 1.2 – includes anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution, four front airbags, MP3 anchor point for the stereo, while the GT picks up some go-faster addenda including a leather steering wheel, bespoke 15inch alloys, electric and heated silvered doors mirrors, a stubby exhaust pipe, a stiffer suspension set-up and tinted glass.

Renault Laguna

By Tim Pollard

First official pictures

04 June 2007 12:06

New Renault Laguna: the lowdown

Renault's big-selling Laguna will be replaced in the autumn autumn with this distinctive new family car. Okay, so it's not the most radical car Renault has ever produced, but it does usher in some interesting developments from La Régie, as it chases down the new Ford Mondeo and forthcoming Vauxhall Vectra. For starters, the Laguna is the latest car to be lighter than the model it replaces; despite being longer, wider and taller, it's an average 15kg skinnier across the range, which should boost performance, economy and emissions. The new Laguna spearheads a new push to make Renaults better known for quality and eco credentials. Press 'Next' to find out why.

What's under the skin?

Renault makes no bones about it - the Laguna is aimed squarely at the business market in many countries, so most buyers will avoid the two petrol engines (a 2.0 with 138bhp or turbocharged to turn out 168bhp) and plump straight for one of the diesels. Unusually for a big family car, the Laguna will offer a small 1.5 dCi with 109bhp, as well as a more typical 2.0 diesel. Pick the former for clean emissions - just 136g/km of CO2 is impessive for such a big car - or the latter for some motorway-munching torque. The 2.0-litre diesel is available in 128, 148 and 173bhp guises. Renault is making a lot of noise about the eco credentials of the new Laguna; the top diesel with particulate trap is Renault's first to meet forthcoming Euro5 emissions regulations, while every new Laguna will have a six-speed gearbox for quieter cruising. To answer critics who berate the Laguna for its so-so driving qualities, this one could even be a fun drive. The engineers have stiffened the damper rates by 20 percent at the front and 50 percent at the rear, and are claiming a much sportier response. But then they would say that, wouldn't they?

Tell me about the Laguna estate

Estate? In Renault speak, the wagon is dubbed Sport Tourer, and the emphasis is more on sport by the looks of it; that sloping rear screen puts style firmly over function. The Laguna Sport Tourer ain't no Volvo estate, on first inspection. However, the rear seats apparently fold completely flat at the touch of the button, using a similar system as already seen on sister company Nissan's Murano. Both bodystyles go on sale simultaneously on 12 October 2007.

Quality and eco credentials - from a Renault?

Yes, it's quite a change for a company better known for providing cheap, stylish transport with an average quality record. But Renault is desperate to persuade punters otherwise, and the Laguna is the first new car launched under the new regime. This explains the new, and terribly named, 'eco_' initiative. Renault's thought police hope to persuade buyers that buying French means you're buying green. So, in future, all its cars producing less than 140g/km of CO2, built in ISO 14001-compliant factories, and with at least 5 percent of recycled plastics, will win a special 'eco_' label. Renault also aims to be in the top three for quality. Until we drive the car, we'll reserve judgment, but this interior looks pretty smart, with some of the quality touches developed for the defunct Vel Satis. Pie in the sky? Perhaps, but don't forget that Renault has cleverly repositioned itself as a brand known for its safety record. The outgoing Laguna was the first car to win the maximum five-star rating in Euro NCAP, and Renault has fitted a suite of airbags and stability systems to the latest iteration. So watch this space...

Renault Twingo and Clio Grand Tour

By Ben Whitworth

Motor shows & events

08 March 2007 10:12

French but sans le funky look

A busy show stand for Renault – as well as unveiling its new Twingo city car, the French manufacturer pulled the wraps off a thinly disguised version of its upcoming Clio estate to take on its Fabia and Peugeot 207 wagon rivals. After the funked up coolness of the Twingo concept car shown at the Paris Motor Show last year, we are more than a little underwhelmed by the production Twingo. Renault is keen to move away from the utilitarian look and feel of the original model – it will leave cheap and cheerful sales to the Clio Campus – and pitch the new model at sharper-suited rivals like the Mini. But its rather frumpy uninspiring looks aren't going to help it much.

Turbo power for well-heeled people

When the Twingo arrives here in September, there will be two engines and two trim levels – GT and Dynamique – from which to choose, with prices starting around the £8000 mark. Both powerplants are 16-valve 1.2-litre units producing 75bhp in naturally aspirated form, and 100bhp with a turbocharger, both hooked up to five-speed manual gearboxes. No diesels are planned because demand wouldn’t, Renault claims, justify the investment costs. Despite measuring a full 200mm shorter than the Clio, Renault claims the Twingo is still a full four-seater, with the two individual rear seats sliding and folding independently of one another to boost luggage space from 165 to 959 litres. Kit levels will be generous, including a ‘TunePoint’ MP3 and USB compatible audio system, and Renault will offer a very long list of options, allowing buyers to personalise their cars – and boost Renault’s bottom line. And in an interesting move, Renault only expects the Twingo to achieve a four-star Euro NCAP crash rating, claiming that achieving the full five stars would have cost too much.

Grand Tour - French for estate

It’s called Grand Tour, but don’t be fooled – add a pair of rear doors, ditch the big wheels and the glitzy details and you have the Clio estate. Sharing the same wheelbase as the three- and five-door Clio hatch, the estate will also use the same line-up of petrol and diesel powertrains and transmissions. It arrives this time next year, and prices should start from £10,000.

Renault Scenic Conquest

By Tim Pollard

First official pictures

28 February 2007 09:38

Renault Scenic Conquest: the lowdown

Manufacturers just can't stop adding wannabe 4x4 styling cues to regular models at the moment. The latest car to get the soft-roader look is the Renault Scenic. The new Conquest, unveiled today, gets the full treatment: tough body cladding, 20mm higher ride height and suspension tweaks. Refreshingly, Renault is at pains to say the Scenic Conquest isn't designed to go anywhere near the rough stuff. It's front-wheel drive only - and, besides, Renault's new standalone SUV, previewed by the Koleos off-roader concept, arrives in 2008. Instead, the Conquest is supposed to offer the lofty driving position and style of 4x4s - but without the extra weight and economy disadvantages of proper mud-pluggers. It'll only be available as a Scenic, not in stretched-wheelbase Grand Scenic guise.

So it's just another faux-by-four?

Essentially yes. But Renault has fitted new dampers with a greater range of travel and smaller anti-roll bars, which together provide better comfort on rough roads or tracks; the ESP and traction control are also tweaked for better grip in slippery conditions. Renault is unusually honest about the body cladding, as well. It's not there to protect the bodywork from boulders on the Rubicon Trail this time; nope - the chunky rubbing strips are designed to prevent damage from city parking, apparently. Prices will range from £16,765 to £18,965 when sales start in June - that's about £550 more than a regular Scenic. Two diesel (1.5 and 1.9) and two petrol (1.6 and 2.0) engines will be available, putting out between 106bhp and 136bhp.

More power and track bias for ultimate Megane RS

By Phil McNamara

Industry news

05 October 2006 01:07

Renaultsport is unleashing its most honed Megane yet – the catchily named 230 F1 Team R26.

The £19,750 hot hatch is based on the track-focused 225 Cup edition, but with power bumped to 230bhp, tauter suspension and a limited slip differential to boost traction. A rasping sports exhaust and ECU tweaks boost the 2.0-litre turbo engine’s power from 225 to 230bhp. Peak torque also climbs by 7lb ft, but the extra grunt is enough to slice a tenth off the car’s 0-62mph time, reducing it to 6.2sec. While power climbs, CO2 emissions fall to 200g/km, dropping the R26 two company car tax bands. And in another cash saving measure, the R26 falls into the same group 17 insurance bracket as the 225 Cup.

Renaultsport has also fettled the chassis. The springs are stiffer, and damper travel increased to make handling more fluid on bumpy surfaces. The big news is a limited slip diff, to boost traction. Uprated Brembo brakes with four-pot calipers are required to rein in the R26. F1 decals on the bumpers, doors and roof mark out the R26, along with this optional liquid yellow paintjob. Recaro seats and a numbered plaque are among the cabin highlights. The car is available to order now, with deliveries expected in December.

Renault Twingo

By Ben Barry

Motor shows & events

28 September 2006 12:53

Renault Twingo: the lowdown

This is Renault’s all-new Twingo city car, due in the UK in September 2007. We never got the Mk1, but Renault has this time engineered the Twingo for right-hand drive. And that’s a good job too, with a Renaultsport version – packing as much as 150bhp – in the pipeline. The pumped up hot hatch you see here is officially a concept, hinting at the RS version with those mighty wheelarches and aero bodykit. The original Twingo concept was a spacious but utilitarian car, but the new car is a radical departure with its more premium feel designed to attract younger, more style conscious buyers. Unveiling the concept at the Paris Motor Show today (Thursday 28), Renault boss Carlos Ghosn described the car as ’90 percent true to the volume production car’.

Design and underpinnings

At only 3.6m-long, with truncated overhangs and a 17in wheel in each corner, 2007’s Twingo resembles an even more compact Citroen C2. It’s sleek, aggressively chunky and very neatly resolved, and promises to appeal to both fashion-conscious males and females. The Twingo is underpinned by a bitsa platform, combining bits of the old Clio, new Clio and fresh components. Mounted in the nose is a new, turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol which produces 100bhp, 111lb ft of torque and under 140g/km CO2. ‘It has the fuel economy of a 1.2-litre engine, but the power of a 1.4-litre and the torque of a 1.6-litre,’ claimed Ghosn. This engine makes its debut in the Clio next year, before appearing in the Twingo. That’s great news for those uninspired by Toyota Aygo clan’s performance figures, and for those craving both fun and a tax break. Joining the 1.2-litre turbo is an even more insurance-friendly unit: a 75bhp 1.2-litre petrol. A diesel is also planned, but this is not guaranteed for the UK.

The inside story

Well, it’s a funky city vehicle aimed at the iPod generation and very tight parking spaces. The dash features a USB port, enabling connectivity for a number of multi-media devices, and is dominated by a ridiculously large TV screen. There’s even a mixing desk along with webcam functions. ‘People can bring their own individual environments into the car,’ said Ghosn. The interior lighting also changes from a relaxed blue with the engine off, to a sportier yellow with it on. In common with last year’s RenaultSport Clio concept, however, the interior features four space-age bucket seats, so it’s safe to say these elements will be a large chunk of the 10 percent that won’t make the showroom.

And a Renaultsport Twingo…

As the sporty concept looks suggest, Renaultsport is actively considering a junior Clio 197. The GT version will run the 100bhp 1.2-litre turbo, so expect the Twingo RS to deliver closer to 150bhp. Product boss Patrick Pelata told CAR Online that the Twingo is shaping up nicely dynamically, with great steering and agility. He added that any RS version would feel closer to the Clio than its bigger, number brother, the Megane RS.

Renault Koleos

By Ben Barry

Motor shows & events

28 September 2006 01:37

The lowdown

Renault boss Carlos Ghosn today unveiled the latest fruits of the Renault/Nissan alliance at the Paris Motor Show: the Renault Koleos concept, the French firm’s first steps into soft-roader territory. Despite being a concept, the Koleos closely mirrors the production car. The Koleos is an incredibly important vehicle for Renault, taking it into the crossover 4x4 market, and being a key player in La Regie’s bid to release 26 cars by 2009 – ‘to rejuvenate, extend and revitalize our product range,’ according to Ghosn.

How it looks

The Koleos was penned by Renault designers working in collaboration with the Renault Samsung Motors Design Centre in Korea. That explains why the Koleos will first go on sale in Korea wearing a Samsung badge. For a Renault, the Koleos looks handsome but conservative, far less eye-catching that the company’s volume models. Yes, the concept gets LED headlights, wacky mirrors and a glazed roof, but the body holds few surprises. It is nicely sculpted, though.

Chassis and engine

The project is the result of the Renault/Nissan Alliance, with Nissan developing the all-new four-wheel drive underpinnings (also bound for the next generation Nissan X-Trail). The 2.0-litre dCi engine delivers 180hp through a six-speed manual gearbox and is fully Euro 4 compliant. With 200mm ground clearance, Hill Down Control and Hill Start Assist, the Koleos promises to be okay on the muddy stuff. It can run in two or four-wheel drive mode.

The inside story

Compared to the restrained exterior, the interior is far more inkeeping with concept car tradition. Climb aboard and you’ll find four individual seats and a two-tone colour scheme. The centre console is made from a transparent material and the centre of the dash is dominated by the navigation system. There’s even an atmospheric pressure monitor – handy for the Chelsea school run. The emphasis is on comfort, space and versatility, with storage space to put an MPV to shame.

How much and when?

The Koleos has a planned UK on-sale date of early 2008. The new model will compete with the new Land Rover Freelander and Honda CRV. Official pricing is yet to be announced, but expect something in the region of £17,500.

Renault Nepta

By Phil McNamara

First official pictures

07 September 2006 04:30

The lowdown

Renault's renewed assault on the premium car sector begins today, with this luxurious Nepta showcar. It's a vast, opulent convertible, designed to waft you across continents as if the golden age of motoring hadn't been superseded by the budget airline revolution. The Nepta is Renault's attention-seeking concept for this month's Paris motor show. Unsually for La Regie, it has a twin-turbocharged V6 mounted longitudinally and turning the rear wheels. Show car flight of fancy or a taste of things to come? Renault has publicly committed to launching five luxury cars between 2007 and 2009, and doubling top-end output to 200,000 cars a year. The Nepta lays down a marker for Renault's premium push. But will any of the production cars be rear-drive, and will the Nepta be one of them...?

From the golden age of car design

Renault says the Nepta's design is inspired by classic grand tourers, although the details and technology are thoroughly modern. The proportions and stance are very stately, with a long, tapered rear end containing a sizeable overhang. The Nepta features wave-shaped panels to create a sense of fluidity, while the car has a two-tone effect thanks to the aluminium lower body section. The wheels measure 23 inches in diameter, and their massive size is in keeping with the Nepta's barge-like dimensions. It measures almost 5m-long, and is wider (though lower) than Bentley's forthcoming GTC cabrio.

Under the skin

The mechanicals are throughly intriguing. The 3.5-litre V6, used by both Renault and Nissan, is here breathed on by twin turbochargers and has direct injection to save fuel. Peak outputs climb from 241bhp and 243lb ft to a hefty 420bhp and 413lb ft. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission, with gearchanges operated by wheel-mounted paddles. Renault claims a 0-62mph sprint in 4.9sec. Will future premium Renaults be rear-wheel drive? It's eminently possible, as Renault and Nissan (and perhaps GM, if their proposed alliance goes ahead) step up the amalgamation of their platforms. However, Renault's definition of a luxury car is one that costs more than £18,500, so the resolutely front-wheel drive Lagunas and Espaces land in the luxury bracket too.

Luxurious cabin

Typically for a Renault concept, the Nepta has a cabin packed with eye-catching details. The dashboard looks as if it's floating. Old-school leather and contemporary aluminium wrap around analogue and digital instruments, to reinforce the mix of classic and modern. The controls conform to Renault's 'touch design' theory, where everything that's touched feels soft and sensual, and located within easy reach. The Nepta has a BMWiDrive-style multi-media control system, the paddles are designed to melt into the driver's hands. And the pedals can be re-positioned to provide the optimum driving position. The Nepta can seat four on those shapely, leather seats.

Amazing details: the doors

The Nepta has a couple of party tricks up its sleeve. Access to the cabin is via two doors that resemble giant clamshells, swinging on hinges positioned on the bonnet and boot.

Amazing details: the lamps

The three-section lights – for the indicators, daytime running lights and headlamps – are also extremely sophisticated. Each unit is compact and clever, thanks to the use of light-emitting diode technology. The strength of the beam is determined according to the ambient light, while the light is channeled according to the direction the steering wheel, to illuminate around corners.