The Renault Scénic and Grand Scénic get a makeover

Following the presentation of the Scénic XMOD, Renault also introduced the facelift of the normal Scénic and the Grand Scénic. The new design follows the one being used in most recent models, like the Clio. On the outside we have a bigger logo, a new grille and bumpers.

Changes are deeper than just a makeover. The dashboard now includes a new area for the navigation and multimedia system, called the R-Link. This system has an easy-to-reach joystick control plus a touchscreen display, that looking at the pictures seems really far from the driver.

Renault also introduced a new range of Energy engines, including the 1.2liter TCe 130 that promises a 15% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Find out more on March 5 at the Geneva Motor Show, with sales following shortly after.

Renault presents the Scénic XMOD - The crossover MPV

This new version of the Renault Scénic can be summarized is just a few words. Its a Scénic with a larger ground clearance, special black front and rear bumpers, sill guards and chrome-finish roof bar. Mechanically there is nothing new (we expected four-wheel drive), except for an improved traction control system, called Extended Grip.

The Extended Grip system is controlled manually and allows for three modes. Expert, Road and Loose Ground, and they will be powered by the new Energy TCe 130. The inside is the same to the normal Scénic, but i have to say it does look with the plastic protections and i am sure i am not the only one thinking this. The

Don't miss the public presentation at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

Spain will get another major investment from a carmaker

The German company Volkswagen said last week it would invest around 785 million euros ($1 billion) in a plant in northern Spain over the next five years, making it the third company in recent months that announced a major investment in that country with severe economy problems.

First it was Ford that said they were going to move production from their Belgium factory to Spain, then Renault announced it was hiring 1.300 new people, but just last week Nissan canceled the plans to expand production of a new model in Spain because they didn't reach an agreement with union workers adding that Spain was losing 4.000 jobs and an investment of 130 million euros.

The Volkswagen plant is in Pamplona in the region of Navarra, can produce up to 1.400 vehicles every day and provides work for 4.600 people, so this was good news for the struggling country. But the Spanish government boasted that these investments happen because "they are the result of a labour market reform that makes the country more competitive for businesses and also makes it cheaper for companies to hire and fire employees.".

I am not sure if its a good thing to make it cheaper to fire people but it seems that's what the companies want.

Source: reuters

2014 Renault Captur revealed, promisses to change your life.

The Renault has just unveiled its future urban crossover, promising an innovative design with the driving position of an SUV, the interior space of an MPV and the agility and driving enjoyment of a sedan.

After the renovation of the Clio, this is the second new model, with the leadership of Laurens van den Acker, that uses the new brand design. The name Captur contains the French word “cap”, which means a course you set or a stage you cross, and Renault wants you to "capture" those goods moments.

Renault says that although it has 4.12m in length, it will be spacious enough inside to the level of an MPV. The Captur is based on the platform of the new Clio, so the engines should be the same petrol and diesel units, and will be produced at Renault’s Valladolid plant in Spain and will be revealed at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show in March.

Short News: Renault Clio Grandtour

It seems that the Belgian Renault anticipated the headquarters in France and revealed more images of the GrandTour, thus indicating that sales should start soon.

The estate version of the fourth-generation Clio has the same wheelbase of the five-door Clio, but is 20cm longer, allowing it to offer a boot with 430 liters (130 liters more than the standard Clio).

Mechanically, the range will consist of two engines, one gasoline and one diesel, and there is a chance of there being a second engine gasoline, a 1.2liter turbo with 120hp, but for now we know there will be the three-cylinder 0.9TCe with 90hp, which emits 104g CO2/km and consumes 4.5 l/100 km, and the 1.5dCi that produces 90hp, announcing an average consumption of 3.3l/100 km and emissions of 90g of CO2/km.

Source: renault.be