Renault on Thursday revealed the third generation C-segment Megane at the Paris Motor Show. The sedan version of the old Megane will be replaced by a new sedan in 2009 called Fluence. The Fluence will start off using conventional drivertrains, but two years after introduction, it will go electric. Renault EVP Patrick Pelata told a summit in Paris that when the electric Fluence launches in 2011 the company expects to start with 20-40,000 units. A year after the battery-powered Fluence arrives, a smaller compact electric car will also arrive. That second car will be built at a plant in Flins, northwest of Paris. Both cars will use lithium ion that may well be manufactured in France as well. Just as Tesla learned when it shifted battery production from Thailand to California, it makes sense to build battery packs closer to the car assembly plants in order to reduce shipping costs of the heavy packs.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Renault has rolled out a new concept in Paris today that gives a preview of what we might expect when Project Better Place kicks off in a couple of years. The Z.E. Concept is based on the Kangoo Be Bop that is also debuting at the Paris Show. The Z.E. Concept however is propelled purely by electrons coming from a lithium ion battery pack. The front wheels get torque from a 70 kW (94 hp) electric motor. So far, Renault hasn't revealed the size of the battery pack or what sort range it can provide. Renault has made a major effort to reduce parasitic losses throughout the Z.E. in order to get the most out of the battery. Electrical requirements are reduced by using LEDs for the headlights. Aerodynamic losses were cut by replacing the outside mirrors with small cameras and the draw of the climate control system has been severely cut. The outside of the car is coated in a heat reflecting paint and body panels are insulated. The actual management of interior temperatures has also benefited from efficiency efforts. The ambient interior temperature is maintained at 59 degrees F but warm air is directed at the head, hands and feet as those extremities are where people tend to feel the variations in temperature the most. By focusing the temperature regulated in those places the total climate control load is reduced. There are videos and a press release after the jump.

Need a delivery vehicle that, if nothing else, has a great name? Try the Kangoo Be Bop, which is even more fun to say than the Renault Kangoo Express Compact. The Be Bop, coming to European sales floors next spring, is based on the Kangoo Compact Concept from Frankfurt 2007 and can come branded with Renault's eco² label if you opt for the dCi 85 version. It's always a diesel that wins the eco badge, isn't it?

The Kangoo Be Bop will come with three options: two diesels - 1.5 dCi 85 and 105 - and a petrol, the 1.6 105. It's under four meters long and retains a lot of the quirkiness of the original concept car. The interior isn't huge, but the immense amount of light that can come in through the roof should make it feel roomy. That roof is convertible for the rear seat passengers or to carry a long load. While you're cruising around, the be bop will get you 44.4 mpg (U.S.) and 140 grams of CO₂ per km with the dCi 85 hp eco² version, while the 1.5 dCi will go 43.5 mpg (U.S) and the 1.6 16V petrol engine brings up the rear with 29.8 mpg. More details after the jump.


[Source: Renault]

Bad news for fans of the Better Place plan - maybe. According to a report on an Israeli business website, Renault executives at a conference in Geneva have said that the electric car bound for Israel, to be franchised by Shai Agassi's Better Place, will be delayed by a year. However, the website also states 2011 as the new launch date which is basically when Renault has originally said it would happen. Perhaps it is just a matter of it happening at year's end rather than the beginning. No reason for the delay was mentioned but, if real, it could have something to do with newly-announced cost-cutting measures that will see the departure of 6,000 Renault employees. Of course, it might just be that the company already has its hands full preparing the six different liquid-fueled Megane III models it says will be available. Based on a slightly lengthened 2010 Megane III (pictured above), the electric version of the car was to be sold in other countries as well. Hopefully the French automaker won't wait too long to deliver on its earlier promise. Israel is a relatively small market and there are other electric car competitors getting ready to grab up precious market share.

[Source: Globes}

Renault is taking the wraps off a new diesel hybrid crossover at the Paris Motor Show next month. The gull-winged Ondelios is described by Renault as an "environmentally friendly long-haul journey." The nearly 16 ft-long, three-row six-seater has an interesting drivetrain layout with a 2.0L 205 hp, 332 lb-ft diesel engine as the primary power source. In addition there is a 20kW electric motor mounted at each axle in a mild hybrid configuration. Renault hasn't yet provided any detailed information on how the system is mechanized but it is apparently not set up to drive the vehicle on electric power alone. Instead, the electric motors are used to provide some acceleration boost and regenerative braking capability. The energy from/for the motors is stored in a 4kWh lithium ion battery pack.

The diesel engine is equipped with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission and, combined with the electric motors, the Ondelios gets from 0-62 mph in 7.8 seconds. For such a large vehicle it has a comparatively low 3,200 lb mass although again Renault hasn't released details on the vehicle's construction. All of this yields a claimed 52.3 mpg (U.S.), which is pretty impressive for such a vehicle.


[Source: Renault]

It's back to school season and, since buses aren't available everywhere, for some people it's time to drive the kids to their classes. With all those important soccer football matches games, swimming lessons and family escapes on long weekends, you need a vehicle with enough seats for your children and a place to keep all their gear. Minivans tend to be heavier than sedan counterparts, not only because of size, but because they have the latest security additions available. But can you keep your mileage high while driving such vehicles and reduce your emissions? For European minivans, the keys include keeping the vehicles compact, developing them from compact cars and using diesel powertrains. Follow us past the jump for a look at what the European market has to offer.

[Source: Auto News]

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One of the leaders in the European market, the Mégane, is reaching the end of its life cycle. While we've heard the official announcement that everything will be unveiled at the upcoming Paris Motor Show, there have been leaks everywhere. What do they show? Well, besides the aesthetic changes toward a more conservative style (check the old model here), Renault claims improved perceived quality. When it comes to the powertrains, the most important novelties are a new 1.4-liter 130hp TCE engine which beats the current generation's 2.0 liter by reducing fuel consumption by almost a liter every 100 km. Renault also sells a complete diesel range with 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter engines. The French marque has also announced improvements to make them Euro V compliant.



[Source: Autoblog en Español]

The Kinetic Energy Recovery System will indeed be affixed to the powertrains of Formula 1 cars in 2009. The issue of whether the hybrid system should be delayed was recently brought up, with Renault calling a meeting of all the teams together to discuss the problem. It seems that BMW, Honda and Williams were all ready to go with their systems, as these three manufacturers voted in favor of the KERS technology for the '09 racing season. In fact, Honda has already successfully track tested its system and sees no reason why it can't be made safe. Even BMW believes it can have its system ready in time, despite the jolting wake-up-call that one of its mechanics recently got from a test-car equipped with the high-voltage system. Because a consensus is needed in order to change the previous decision, the KERS system appears to officially have the green light for '09.

[Source: autosport.com]

A hint was given when the Spanish Government announced its wish list to reduce the Iberian country's dependence on oil but now it's been announced by Europa Press: The Spanish Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce has announced an agreement with Nissan-Renault to study the possibility of a large-scale project (à la Better Place) to manufacture and sell EVs in Spain, as well as creating a network to plug them. Renault has confirmed such contacts. Spain expects to have one million electric and hybrid cars on the roads by 2014, and an agreement such as the one for Denmark, Portugal and Israel could be a solution. Renault-Nissan is surely making its stakes with such ambitious projects, since Spain is Europe's 5th largest market. Pictured on the right, one of Renault's early electric prototypes, a 1971 Renault 5, which was also manufactured in Spain.

[Source: Europa Press via Econoticias]

For those who hate diesel but still want to have low CO₂ emitting cars, Renault is offering a solution: A new variant of the Twingo has been introduced that emits 120 g/km and burns 5.1 l of unleaded for each 100 km (46mpg U. S.). This qualifies for France's 700€ bonus for low-polluting cars. The engine, named LEV, is derived from the standard 1.2-liter 75hp gas version which has the engine tuned specifically, as well as a gerbox with higher speed ratios.

Fiat has followed Renault and has launched the Fiat Panda Eco as well.. With lower consumption and less CO₂ emissions, the Fiat Panda Eco is made starting from the base 1.1-liter 56hp gasoline engine and reduces consumption from 5.6 to 5.0 l/100 km (42 and 47mpg U. S. respectively and puts the CO₂ figure under the magic 120 g/km figure.


[Source: Le Blog Auto]

Few of our North American readers might know the Note. It's Nissan's interpretation of the subcompact minivan, which can seat five comfortably and adds versatility with the outer dimensions of a subcompact car. The range of available engines was a little poor at launch (Europeans usually get a wide array of engines to choose from) and, thanks to the Renault-Nissan alliance, the 1.5 dCi good for 105hp is being now installed in the Note. This engine is mated to 6-speed manual transmission. This adds to the existing 1.5 dCi that produced 86hp and to the 1.4 liter 88hp and 1.6 liter 100 hp gasoline engines. The new dCi engine has also a Diesel Particulate Filter installed as standard. The Note is manufactured in Sunderland, UK and prices for the new version start at €18.850 (in Spain).


[Source: Nissan]

The recent report that Portugal would join up with Project Better Place on EVs was apparently only partially correct. Portugal is indeed partnering directly with the Renault-Nissan Alliance to promote zero emission vehicles, but Project Better Place will evidently not be in the picture. The automakers and the Portugese government will work together to determine what needs to be done to make electric vehicles market viable in Portugal as well as what infrastructure will be needed to facilitate large numbers of EVs. Renault Nissan has committed to mass marketing its upcoming electric vehicles in Portugal starting in 2011. The government and the manufacturers will also collaborate on educating Portuguese drivers on the benefits of zero emissions vehicles. The Renault press release is after the jump.

[Source: Renault]

Considering all of the work that Renault is doing with fuel cells and pure electric vehicles, it can be slightly deflating to remember that there are still a lot of gas-using vehicles to be sold before those alternatives are available. The good news, out today from Automotive News Europe (subs req'd), is that the company is now saying they will bring the micro hybrid system called start-stop to every model sold in Europe by 2010. Start-stop technology shuts down the motor down when the vehicle is not moving, and then instantly turns it back on when needed. The company is currently working on prototypes and believes CO₂ emissions could be recuded by 15 percent to 20 percent in city driving and wants to provide the technology at a much cheaper price point than is currently availalbe.

[Source: Automotive News Europe (subs req'd)]

While sales in other countries have mostly fallen in recent months, French car dealers are happy right now. With an overall first half of the year increase of 4.5 percent, small and mini cars have led the way with a 15 percent jump in France. Small cars now comprise nearly half of all new car sales and French brands Renault and Peugeot/Citroen have grabbed 60 percent of that segment. The new French tax schemes add extra fees to vehicles that emit more CO₂ while buyers of cleaner cars actually get money back. Buyers of cars that emit less than 130g/km of CO₂ are eligible for rebates ranging from 200 Euros to 5,000 Euros for low or zero emissions vehicles. Cars that emit from 160g/km to 250g/km of CO₂ face taxes of 200-2,600 Euros.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. req'd]

Project Better Place is set to expand beyond Israel and Denmark with an agreement for Portugal to join the electric vehicle infrastructure project. Portugese Prime Minister Jose Socrates will soon sign on to the plan that will use electric cars from Renault and Nissan. Part of Project Better Place involves setting up networks of public charging points and battery exchange stations. Utility company Energias de Portugal SA is working with other European utilities to create the Grid for Vehicles charging network. Renault and Nissan are expected to spend $500 million to $1 billion on developing vehicles for the project. Portugal's investment in the program is not known.

[Source: Forbes]