Sadly there are always ‘buts’ and for many drivers there are two ‘buts’ about the Renault Clio RS 197 that are hard to overcome.

The first ‘but’ is that this is what some people might consider to be a very ‘serious’ hatch so it doesn’t come with an automatic gearbox … but then if you’re seriously considering a hot hatch from Europe you probably already have a licence that allows you to drive vehicles fitted with manual gearboxes.

The second ‘but’ is the price. Although this is only a three-door hatch we’re not talking cheap Korean here so don’t be surprised when I tell you that the on-road price for this car is going to be well over $40,000 … just the list price is $37,990.

So if the lack of an automatic transmission doesn’t bother you and the price hasn’t taken your breath away let’s look at what you get in a Renault Clio RS 197.

The engine
What turns this three-door hatch into a fire-breathing monster is a multi-point fuel injected 2.0-litre petrol engine that produces 145kW of power at 7,250rpm and 215Nm of torque at 5,550 rpm.

The Euro 4 engine requires premium unleaded fuel and it consumes 11.6L/100km around the city and 6.5L/100km on the open road. The CO2 emissions are really quite high at 199 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

But if you want a three-door hatch that will do 0 to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 223km/h then I guess emission levels are not going to be much of a concern.

Later in the year we might see a new engine with even better fuel consumption and emission figures for Renault have just announced a new Clio model in Europe that comes fitted with the Renault eco2 engine that complies with the latest European emission laws.

Steering and Suspension
Steering in the Renault Clio RS 197 is a variable electric power assist system with just 2.83 turns lock-to-lock and all that gives you a turning circle of 11 metres kerb-to-kerb.

Suspension is a double-axis strut system on the front and torsion beam with programmed deflection coil springs on the rear.

Brakes
The front brakes are Brembo 4-piston calipers and ventilated discs while the rears are solid discs. ABS with electronic brake distribution is also fitted.

Safety
Safety features include a sports-tuned electronic stability programme, front, lateral and curtain airbags, anti-submarining airbags and height-adjustable seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters.

The headlights are double optic and height adjustable and they’re fitted with wipers and a “see me home” function.

Interior
Interior features include height adjustable steering wheel, multi-function trip computer, climate airconditioning, tinted windows, split folding rear seats and map lights for the driver and passenger.

Most people who buy a three-door hatch … especially one like the Renault Clio RS 197 aren’t going to be worried by a lack of luggage space and that’s good because there’s only 228 litres of space when the rear seats are in the upright position and 1,038 when they’re folded down.

Of course if you drive a Renault you tend to be something of an individual and Renault understands that … that’s why they offer a huge range of accessories that include everything from carpet mats to a coat hanger that gives you “crease free clothing storage”.

In between those two extremes there’s a front splitter kit, a mirror finisher kit, a rear spoiler, side skirts, roof bars, a steering wheel insert that features the Renault logo, an interior personalisation kit … and that’s only some of the option list.

So there you have the Renault Clio RS 197 … a genuinely hot three-door hatch that’s definitely not going to be for everyone.

So I guess that we shouldn’t be surprised that what Renault labels as an ‘estate’ may not actually look much like a traditional station wagon … what most people think of when they hear a manufacturer describe one of their vehicles as an ‘estate’.

The Renault Laguna Estate certainly doesn’t have the boxy shape that one normally associates with an estate or a station wagon. Instead the Laguna’s steeply sloped rear window gives this estate more of a sports car look although, at 4.8 metres in length, the Renault Laguna is definitely not a sports car.

Although the Laguna Estate rides on exactly the same chassis as the Laguna sedan the rear overhang gives the Laguna Estate a 501 litre luggage area with the rear seats in the raised position and 1,593 litres of space with the rear seats folded down.

Petrol or diesel
The Renault Laguna Estate comes with your choice of a 2.0-litre diesel engine or 2.0-litre turb-charged petrol engine but if you want torque and economy you’ll pass on the petrol engine.

The diesel engine is matched to a six-speed automatic gearbox and it’s a combination that returns 7.0L/100km and 185g CO2/km and it complies with Euro V pollutant thresholds.

Maximum torque of 340Nm is produced at 2,000 rpm and maximum power of 110kW arrives at 4,000 rpm.

Even if you’re not into being environmentally friendly you will still find that the diesel engine saves you more for the best consumption figures that the petrol engine can produce is 8.9L/100km along with 210g CO2/km.

Maximum torque of 270Nm for the petrol engine cuts in at 3,250rpm and maximum power of 125kW arrives at 5,000 rpm.

Interior
Remember, this is a Renault so it’s going to be a little different and the positioning of the driver’s controls is no exception. While most manufacturers put the cruise controls somewhere close to the steering wheel don’t look for them there on the Renault Laguna Estate … instead when you want the cruise control look down on the central console.

The air conditioning system is designed to meet each occupants needs and it also comes with filters that will keep out unwanted fumes and pollens. When the system detects fumes or pollens it automatically closes the outside intake-vents and changes to recycled air from within the cabin.

Safety Features
Active safety features such as ESP, ABS and EBA are fitted across the range and a tyre pressure warning system is standard on the top of the range Renault Laguna Estate.

The Laguna Estate also comes with a new sensor system that enables the side airbags to be deployed in half the time taken by previous systems.

For a drive-away price you’ll need to contact your local dealer.

Richard Gartner will be entering the car the Safe-T-Stop Renault Clio as number 97, referring to the model code (Renault Clio 197) in the Class D Production Sports category.

“The Clio was purchased brand new from Northshore Motors, Hornsby, who will also be servicing the car. “The car will run on German KW Suspension components, fitted and supplied by East Coast Suspension, Kirrawee and it will also use a Limited Slip differential designed by Drechsler Motorsport in Germany,” explained Gartner.

Gartner took out the 2009 Bathurst 12 Hour class F (Production Sports) in a Honda Integra and will be driving the Renault 197 with GT Champion Mark Eddy. The two have both competed in the 12 hour Sepang and Gartner also boasts regular drives in the 24 hour Nurburgring and Dubai 24 Hour. The two are yet to be joined by a third driver but are feeling confident in the cars ability.

“The Clio will circulate in the mid to low 2 minutes 40 second bracket and should be very reliable. We will try to get through the race with as few pit stops as possible and aim at a class win and top 12 outright,” said Gartner.

The Renault is just one of many cars that have recently entered the Event and is expected to challenge the Honda Integra and Toyota Celica domination of the class in previous 12 Hour Events.

“We are still two and a half months out from the race and expecting up to 40 entries in total,” said Event promoter James O’Brien.

The Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour Showroom Enduro is now in its 4th year, with a grid of over 50 cars expected to compete. The race features production cars in a class structure representative of the mass road-going market. BMW, Mitsubishi, Ford, Holden, Nissan and Subaru are expected to compete for outright honours, while an Alternative Energy class is open to diesel, hybrid and LPG entries.

The Event will be televised in a 3 hour special on the SEVEN Network, through Fox Sports, New Zealand and other International Markets

With Australia’s continuing love affair with SUVs it seems that any manufacturer who wants to feed the local demand will make sales but the European manufacturers like Renault and Peugeot are going to have problems overcoming the branding that Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi have already achieved.

They may even have to overcome a perception of quirkiness that perhaps lingers in the market place but for Renault the Koleos might just do that (although a different name for the vehicle, models and accessory packs might have given the vehicle even more appeal).

Renault is mid-range of the compact SUV market with the Koleos and it comes with plenty of features that will make it very competitive in that market. The Koleos comes in two levels of trim with your choice of 4×2 or 4×4 and petrol or diesel engines.

“Renault has applied its high standards of safety, engineering and design, along with great value for money, to the SUV market and, as a result, the Koleos is an outstanding vehicle,” says Renault Managing Director, Rudi Koenig. “Customers can choose between 4×2 and 4×4, petrol and diesel with all models extremely well-equipped and, of course, safety that is second to none.”

International Pedigree
Launched in Europe in June, the Koleos is the first 4×4 crossover vehicle to be produced by Renault and will be sold in over 40 countries around the world.

The first truly ‘global’ product to emerge from the Renault-Nissan Alliance the Koleos was designed by Renault, developed by Nissan and is manufactured in Renault Samsung Motors’ Busan plant in Korea. The global durability testing programme included over 30,000km in Australia’s harsh northern climates.

Exterior
Renault wanted the lines of the Koleos to be both distinctive and pleasing to the eye. The front-end of Koleos features the grille-mounted Renault logo flanked by air intakes and modern elliptical headlamps and the side aspect was designed to enhance its 4×4 calling and ruggedness.

Renault believes that “the arrow that flows from the rear lights along the car’s flanks to the front gives Koleos a particularly assertive character and the distinctive lines of its hatch form a movement that spills from the bottom of the rear window to converge on the rear logo which sits on a gloss black finish plaque”.

Rear access is via a split-opening, ‘clamshell’-type tailgate to assist cargo area access although those who have tried loading luggage over an open tailgate may beg to differ with the suggestion that it assists access to the cargo area.

The upper part of the hatch permits access to the boot in cramped spaces and allows items of more than one metre wide to be carried. When lowered, the bottom part of the tailgate serves as a handy seat for two adults (up to 200kg).

Standard exterior features include: body coloured bumpers, chrome-effect front and rear skid plates, 17’ alloy wheels, satin chrome door handles and aluminium roof-rails.

The exterior differences between the entry-level Dynamique and top-of-the-range, Privilege, are subtle. Both models are fitted with 17” alloy wheels (with differing designs) and the Privilege is fitted with front and rear parking sensors as standard.

There are no styling, or badging, cues to differentiate between 4×2, 4×4, petrol or diesel models.

Interior
The driving comfort, noise levels and interior design of the Koleos interior set it apart from most compact SUV’s.

All controls fall easily to hand and the flowing dash design is finished in soft touch materials. A leather-wrapped steering wheel (height- and reach-adjustable) and gear shift is standard on all models.

A raft of equipment aimed at taking the stress out of motoring underpins how effortlessly Koleos fits into the Renault family. Features include the Renault keyless card and start button function, automatic handbrake, headlamps and wiper activation, dual-zone climate control, satellite audio controls, cruise control (with speed limiter), power windows, roof-mounted child-minder mirror, electronic child locks and adjustment of the exterior mirrors.

The comfort of rear seat passenger is enhanced by two, b-pillar mounted, air vents with fan speed controls located on the back of the centre console. Folding tables are also integrated in the back of the front seats.

The Dynamique interior is finished in dark charcoal with cloth trimmed seats, complete with satin cabin highlights.

The Privilege is trimmed in beige leather and fitted with heated front seats with electric controls for the driver. Perimeter entry is also standard.

The ‘Modularity Pack” (Standard on Privilege, optional on Dynamique) includes an ‘easy estate’ system which enables the 60/40-split rear bench seat to be folded away at the flick of a lever. The pack also includes a forward folding front seat back which allows items up to 2.6m long to be transported, adjustable incline on rear seat backs, a removable centre console insert, rear armrest storage and a 12-volt outlet in the cargo area.

An optional electric panoramic sunroof is also available.

In typical Renault fashion there are plenty of storage spots all around the cabin. The dashboard includes an air- chilled, 15-litre glovebox, while the storage space in the centre console is extremely large. Extra space is provided in a drawer located beneath the front passenger seat, door bins will take a 500ml bottle and the lidded stowage space incorporated in the armrest is ideal for CDs.

The Dynamique is equipped with a single CD, AM/FM audio system whilst the top-of-the-range Privilege is fitted Bose® developed audio system which comprises a digital amplifier, seven loudspeakers and a sub-woofer.

All Koleos models are fitted with an auxiliary audio input for MP3/iPod connections.

Particular attention has been paid to effective damping of both mechanical and road noise. Effective use of balancer shafts and a twin-mass flywheel damper has been made to minimise cabin intrusion from the diesel engine along with engine subframe filtering and soundproofing materials.

These solutions combine to give Koleos an extremely quiet cabin environment, especially on poor quality roads.

Safety For All
Koleos is fitted with the very latest active and passive safety features. ESP is standard on all models.

In emergency braking situations, drivers can count on ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency brake assist and ESP with understeer control. Even before the latter kicks in, the all-wheel drive transmission control system intervenes to adjust the front/rear torque split as soon as the first signs of oversteer or understeer are detected.

Koleos benefits from Renault’s long-standing work in real-life accident analysis. In terms of passive safety, its body structure features programmed crumple zones at the front and the back. The cabin was designed as a survival cell for passengers in the event of an accident.

Koleos is the tenth Renault model to be awarded a five-star EuroNCAP crash test ratings. Koleos comes with a long list of equipment committed to optimising occupant protection, including dual-front, dual-side and curtain airbags and load limiters for the front and rear seatbelts and front seatbelt pretensioners

Powertrains – 4×2 and 4×4
Koleos will be available in 4×2 petrol and 4×4 petrol and diesel powered variants. The 4×2 Dynamique is powered by the 2.5 litre petrol engine and is available with a 6-speed manual or CVT.

The 4×4 Dynamique is a powered by three engine/transmission combinations. The 2.5 litre petrol is fitted with a CVT and two variations of the 2.0 litre diesel engine are available. The 6-speed manual dCi is produces 127kW while the 6-speed adaptive automatic transmission is mated to a 110kW engine.

The top of line 4X4 Privilege is only available in petrol/CVT format.

The 2.0 litre diesel engine features the very latest diesel engine technologies, including piezoelectric injectors, common-rail 1,600-bar fuel injection, special-design pistons and a variable-geometry turbo which all combine to make this the most efficient four-cylinder diesel of its class.

The automatic variant produces 110kW of power at 4,000rpm and 320Nm of torque at 2,000rpm, while the manual diesel produces 127kW of power (at 3,750rpm) and 360Nm of torque (at 2,000rpm).

In addition to the effortless performance offered by both engines fuel economy is equally impressive with the 2.0 litre dCi manual version returning a combined useage of 7.9 l/100km and the automatic 8.3 l/100km. CO2 emission for both models are 209 g/km and 221 g/km respectively.

The 2.5-litre Euro 4-compliant petrol engine which delivers peak power of 126kW at 6,000rpm and maximum torque of 226Nm at 4,400rpm. On the 4×2 Dynamique models the engine is paired with a manual six-speed gearbox or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The 4×4 Privilege comes standard with CVT.

The 2.5 engine is extremely fuel efficient with the 4×2 manual version returning 9.6 l/100km while producing 230 g/km of CO2

4×4i
Equally at home on all type of roads Koleos benefits from Nissan’s experience of all-wheel drive transmission.

The ‘All mode 4×4i’ control system, Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control not only enhance safety performance but also deliver genuine off-road ability.

The MacPherson-type front suspension combines with the fully-independent multilink rear suspension to deliver comfort and directional stability in all situations. Meanwhile, the dampers and springs have been tuned to match Koleos’ specific dimensions and contribute to the targeted balance between comfort and handling. The rear dampers are mounted at an angle in order to free up as much space as possible between the wheel wells (an extra 100mm compared with vertically mounted dampers).

Ground clearance of 206mm (diesel version: 188mm) and approach and departure angles of 27 and 31 degrees respectively are further illustrations of Koleos’ off-road credentials. (Note – X-Trail ground clearance – 200mm, approach angle 26o, departure angle 22o)

In ‘auto’ mode, the electronically-controlled torque split between the front and rear is automatically calculated as a function of available grip.

In normal conditions, torque is delivered to the front wheels only. Should less grip become available, however, some of the torque is instantly diverted to the rear. In extreme conditions, up to 50 per cent of torque can be transferred to the back wheels in this way. For optimal pullaway from standstill however much grip is available, the system delivers engine toque to all four wheels.

This front-rear split is ensured by an electronic coupler and controlled by the latest-generation ‘All mode 4×4-i’ system developed by Nissan for X-Trail.

The coupler’s bespoke control unit uses data communicated by the engine control unit and by different sensors (wheel speed, yaw, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, steering wheel angle, accelerator pedal position) to instantly optimise traction in all conditions.

When grip is at a premium, such as on snow, mud, dirt or sand, the driver only has to flick a switch on the dashboard to electronically lock the transmission in 4×4 mode and thereby direct 50% of torque to the rear. The transmission can also be locked in front-wheel drive mode.

Koleos will also be available in permanent two-wheel drive form for those customers wanting crossover looks and packaging, but who have no call for all-wheel drive transmission.

Koleos is equipped with a Hill Start Assist function which can prove a particularly useful asset during everyday motoring. This system is automatically activated on gradients of more than 10 per cent to prevent the vehicle from slipping back down the slope. It also does away with the need for the driver to switch rapidly from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal which is inherent in all other vehicles.

Similarly, Renault Koleos is equipped with a Hill Descent Control system for even safer off-road motoring. This function is activated via a switch on the central fascia and automatically holds the vehicle’s speed at a maximum of 7kmh on downhill gradients of 10 per cent or more without calling for use of the brakes. Particularly useful when Koleos is used off-road, this system also contributes to active safety since it allows the vehicle’s downhill speed to be controlled on steep, snowy or icy slopes. The function also works in reverse gear.

True to its ability and application all Koleos models are fitted with full-size, 17” alloy spare wheels.

Warranty
The Koleos comes with a three-year or 150,000km warranty.

The Chairman of BMW AG is reported as saying that this small group of cars will allow BMW to gain knowledge and experience in the production of eletrically powered vehicles.

It’s believed that 490 of the electric Minis will be shipped to California where they will be leased to selected customers.

If the report is correct then BMW has joined other European manufacturers including Volkswagen, Daimler, Peugeot and Renault in taking the first tentative steps towards building a vehicle that produces zero emissions.

That inherent character is still around today, I mean how could you look at something as ugly as the Megane and not love it. And I guess it’s that character that made me take a second look when the promo for the new Renault Laguna arrived in my inbox.

It’s not due to arrive till much later in the year but Renault doesn’t want to surprise you by having it arrive here unannounced. The new Laguna will come with a “wide range of petrol and diesel engines” all coupled to a six-speed gearbox or a five-speed auto.  And even though the promo forgets to mention the size of the engine I think 2.0 litre is going to be the standard here.

The new Laguna comes with ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution and Emergency Brake Assist. It also comes fitted with dual side airbags the include new impact sensors that allow the bags to be deployed in half the time taken by other vehicles.

Inside the car you’ll get all the creature comforts you could want in a car. There’s an air quality system that automatically closes when it detects impurities in the air as well as dual zone climate control with three modes to keep everyone happy.

Interestingly the Laguna will also be available in a station wagon variant. You can find more information about the new Renault Laguna here

Nissan and Renault will work together on the required technology and by 2012 will have the vehicle available outside of the United States. Nissan will focus on marketing the vehicle in Asia … especially China … while Renault will sell the vehicle into the European market.

I’m not sure though that I would buy this one simply because I’ve gone beyond the no-frills level but if it were sold here in Australia it would probably sell like hot cakes on price alone.

It’s the Renault Logan built by Renault’s subsidiary Dacia and in Europe the base model retails for around 6,000 Euros – thats about $A9,500. While many pundits in the Europe described this car as an ugly duckling when it was launched in 2004 it has certainly captured a very large share of the market.

The demand is so great that in Germany and France there’s a 6 month waiting list for the sedan and the 7 seat wagon

Renault are preparing to move into Indian market and parts of South America with both the sedan and wagon and the new van that has just been released and expects to be selling one million Renault Logans worldwide by 2010.

Will we ever see the Renault Logan in Australia? The quirky side of me certainly hopes so.

Yesterday we started this series with one of the cheapest way for someone to get into an open topped car in Australia – a 2000 Holden Barina Cabriolet. There’s no way today’s convertible could be called ‘cheap’ but it certainly is the most unusual of all the convertibles in the ones we will be looking at over the next few days.

While all the other convertibles in our list of Australian summer cars have either metal or cloth tops the Renault Megan Coupe Cabriolet comes with something very unique – a glass roof. But then unique is nothing new to Renault

The Renault Megane Coupe Cabriolet is powered by a 2 litre 16 valve 4 cylinder motor that puts out 98 kilowatts of power. It comes fitted with fully intergrated automatic roll bars, leather trimmed upholstery plus a full range of extras.

Prices start at $48990 for the manual version and rise to $51,490 for the automatic and you can see more of it here.

Well now I know why I had that feeling. Nissan in the US is quite open about the fact that the Nissan Versa (that’s what the Tiida is called in the US) is actually based on this car:

the Renault Megane.

That doesn’t mean that the Tiida is not a good car – in fact it just goes to enhance the quality of the car because Renault have been building great cars for many years.

If you want to see what the Americans think of the Versa/Tiida then click here