Le Chic...Renault “XV de France” Clio and Megane Editions

For the third year in a row, Renault will have “XV de France” editions of the Clio and Megane models in its lineup, marking the automaker’s involvement in rugby as a sponsor of the French national team. The difference is that this year, the “limited editions” have become full-fledged “versions”, fully integrated into the brand’s catalogue and available for purchase all year-round. The Megane is available in estate, hatch and coupe body styles, while the Clio can be ordered as a 3-door, 5-door and estate.

“The 2011 ‘XV de France’ versions are very different from the limited editions of previous years”, explains Megane product manager Raphaelle Jarry. “As well as being true to the rugby spirit, they introduce a new angle”.

Based on the Dynamique (Megane) and Dynamique TomTom (Clio) trim levels, the “XV de France” versions boast a unique Marron Glace paintjob (except the Clio estate), accompanied by special upholstery in the interior. Distinctive alloys are also on the menu, while the French Rugby Federation emblems applied to the front wings and inside the cabin represent the finishing touch.

The “XV de France” Clio’s standard equipment list includes navigation, 80W CD/MP3/Bluetooth sound system with speech recognition and streaming capabilities, automatic air conditioning, cruise control and 16-inch wheels.

The “XV de France” Megane comes with satnav, plus front and rear parking sensors, electrically adjustable fold-back mirrors and bigger, 17-inch alloys.

Engine choices include two diesel (95/105HP) and two gasoline (100/110HP) units for the Clio and one gasoline (130HP) powerplant and four diesels (110/130/150HP) for the Megane.

A total of 15,500 “XV de France” vehicles will be built, including 5,500 Meganes and 10,000 Clios.

Geneva Preshow: Renault's New Monaco GP Limited Editions

Apparently, last year's limited run Laguna Coupe Monaco GP special edition was a success as Renault has just announced three new models featuring the same styling recipe, including the Megane Coupe, Megane Coupe R.S. and the 2011MY Laguna Coupe. The new Monaco GP special editions will go on sale in Europe right after their world premiere at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March.

All three models share common styling treats such as a bespoke pearlescent white paint developed accentuated by Etoilé black body components including the side mirrors, rear diffuser and fog-lamp surrounds, black headlight masks and “Monaco GP” badge work on the sides. Inside, the Monaco GP treatment adds pearlescent white cabin details (console, strip, door handles), “Monaco GP” stitching on the seats, a numbered plate and “Monaco GP” protective mats.

The Megane Coupe Monaco GP model, which is available with a choice of five engines, including 110HP, 130HP and 160HP diesels, and 130HP and 180HP petrol units, also gets 17-inch gloss black rims, GT front and rear bumpers, fabric upholstery with special stitching, rear park assist and power-folding mirrors.

The 250HP Megane Coupe R.S. Monaco GP benefits from 18-inch Keza gloss black rims, leather upholstery with special stitching, plus gray overstitching on the steering wheel and gearstick handle.

Finally, the Laguna Coupe Monaco GP returns for 2011 and will be available with five engines, depending on the country (2.0 dCi with 150HP, 180HP and 175HP + Auto Box, and 2.0 Turbo with 205HP and 170HP +Auto Box). Aside from the exclusive pearlescent white body paint, buyers of the special edition will also be able to opt for a pearlescent black.

Renault Releases World Series Special Edition Clio and Megane Models

This summer sees the launch of a new series of special edition Clio and Megane models named after Renault's World Series single-seater challenge. Due to make their public appearance at Silverstone track on the first weekend of July, the World Series Clio, Megane Hatch and Megane Coupe versions feature sportier body styling (but that's about it) with the French automaker claiming savings for the customer between £940 to £1,190 over the price of the additional items if they were ordered separately in the UK.

The Clio World Series by Renault is based on the Dynamique trim level adding a front spoiler, side skirts, a sports rear bumper plus WSR badging. It is available with two gasoline engines, a naturally aspirated 1.2-liter with 75HP and a 1.2-liter turbocharged four with 100HP, plus a 1.5-liter diesel producing 86HP, with prices starting from £12,170 on the road.

Priced from £16,595, the five-door Megane hatch version benefits from a front apron, Coupe-style bumper inserts, side skirts, a sports rear bumper, rear spoiler, WSR badging and 17-inch alloy wheels. Buyers can choose from the 1.6-liter petrol with 110HP or the 1.5-liter diesel making 106HP.

And finally, there's the Megane Coupe World Series by Renault which sports a front spoiler, side skirts, specific rear bumper and 17-inch alloy wheels. Priced from £16,995, it is offered with the same engines as the hatch model.

All three models are available for order in the UK from 1st July with deliveries starting from July 6th, 2009.

Renault's Megane R26.R Up to 3 Seconds Faster than the 300HP Focus RS at UK Tracks

According to Renault, the most potent version of the previous generation Megane RS, the 230HP R26.R that went on sale in October 2008 for a limited run of 450 examples, 230 of which are destined for Britain, has set new benchmark lap times at four UK tracks. The French carmaker announced that at Silverstone, Drivers-Republic recorded a lap time of 1 minute and 19.4 sec, almost three seconds faster than the more powerful Ford Focus RS that is equipped with a 300HP 2.5-liter turbocharged five pot while at the West Circuit at Bedford Autodrome, Evo magazine timed the R26.R at 1m 29 sec beating the RS by almost two seconds.

At Bruntingthorpe, Performance Car said that it timed the R26.R faster than the Focus RS, the Subaru Impreza STi Type UK and found it even faster than a 360hp Revo-tuned Seat Leon Cupra. Finally, at Millbrook, Autocar magazine recorded a time of 1min and 15.6 seconds, a second faster than the Focus RS.

The French carmaker said that the R26.R, which boasts the same 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 230HP as the normal R26 but weighs 123kg or 271 lbs less than its standard counterpart, has now set benchmark times for a front-wheel drive production car at Silverstone, Bedford Autodrome, Millbrook and Bruntingthorpe.

Last year, the Megane R26.R established a new lap record for a front-wheel drive production car at the 13-mile Nurburgring circuit in Germany recording a time of 8 minutes 17 seconds.