Our spies caught a test mule of the fourth-generation Clio combining the front end and chassis bits of the new model with the rest of the body panels sources from the current version.
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Fortunately for us, our diligent spies were able to discover a different prototype wearing much less camouflage. This time, the 2012 Megange hatchback was only covered with black duct tape.
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Nevertheless, primitive as cloth/plastic wraps may be, they do get the job done hiding the changes made to their cars like the facelifted Renault Megane hatchback and its station wagon counterpart named the Sports Tourer, that were caught testing in Southern Europe.
MR Car Design starts with the Renault Clio RS 200's 2.0-liter, naturally-aspirated four-banger that produces 200-horses in factory tune. After the fitting of an optimized ECU and a custom exhaust system that includes the Akrapovic-Evolution-System, output is pushed to a more potent 220-horsepower.
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Aside from the standard model, Renault also premiered the Twingo RenaultSport (or RS for short) 133 in both regular and Gordini outfits as well as a new limited production version created and named after the Place Vendôme-based jeweler, Mauboussin.
Read more »Aside from the standard model, Renault also premiered the Twingo RenaultSport (or RS for short) 133 in both regular and Gordini outfits as well as a new limited production version created and named after the Place Vendôme-based jeweler, Mauboussin.
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While details still remain slim, we just got out hands on an official promotional video that provides us with a detailed view of the styling changes made to the small French hatchback.
If true, we expect to see Renault releasing teaser images of the so-called Twingo CC within the next couple of weeks.
As you can see in our updated spy gallery after the jump, the small French sports car that's based on the same underpinnings as the Twingo is still under heavy camouflage.
However, a pair of leaked photos from diecast model manufacturer Norev, gave us our fist look at the convertible model last week.
Unfortunately though, Norev kindly asked us if we could (and did) remove the photos that had been circulating on the net as the maker told us that the model was an early prototype that had been stolen from the French firm's factory. Still, the pictures are available on numerous sites around the web for those that missed out...
From what we know up until now, the small sports car will be a standalone model in Renault's vehicle range and it will be equipped with a unique rotating central-piece rooftop that will stow away inside the boot.
Being based on the Twingo, the sporty convertible will keep the small hatchback's front-wheel drive layout and most likely, its range of four-cylinder gasoline engines that include a 1.2-liter turbo with 100HP and a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter unit with 133HP.
Mind you that this is not the first time we've seen future production models previewed through a diecast - the same thing happened with the Citroen C4 Picasso back in 2006 and more recently with the latest-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate last summer.
Meaning, it's not out of the ordinary for automakers to share their designs with scale model makers. Only thing is that the diecasts shouldn't be shown before the actual product...
Now, back to the Renault Twingo CC, the styling of the scale model seems pretty much consistent with what we've seen in the spy photos up until now- see below.
Based on the popular Twingo hatchback, the two-seater CC is said to feature a rotating central-piece rooftop that stows away inside the boot.
It will keep the hatchback model's front-wheel drive as well as the range of small-displacement petrol engines that include a 1.2-liter turbo and a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter unit.
Even though most anticipated that Renault's small cabrio would be unwrapped at last year's Frankfurt Show, obviously that didn't happen. Chances are that we'll see the car making its debut either at the Geneva Salon in March or at the Paris Show in autumn.
Via: Blogautomobile
The new, fourth generation Renault Clio may still be far way from production but that hasn't deterred magazines from speculating on the supermini's appearance. In one of its latest issues, French car magazine Autoplus has published a series of artist's renditions of the 2011 Clio that are said to based on some allegedly official grainy black-and-white designs that were leaked online earlier this year.The computer generated images suggest a more dramatic styling with 'swoopier' lines and a bolder face for Renault's Ford Fiesta and Citroen C3 rival. As is the case with many of these future car renditions, there's no way of being sure about how close or not they are to the actual production model.
Via: Autoplus
The auto industry might be in a slump lately, but there are still plenty of new cars being readied for launch in 2010. This pint-size speedster is the Renault Twingo CC and it is aimed at the likes of the Opel Tigra and Peugeot 207 Coupe-Cabriolet. The drop-top variant of the new Twingo will be equipped with a one-piece retractable hardtop that stows away in the rear luggage compartment. It remains to be seen if the top will rotate (like the Ferrari 575 M Superamerica) or if it will slide to the back as recently reported in French media. 
The heavy camouflaged prototype leaves a lot to the imagination when it comes to the Twingo CC's exterior appearance, but sources suggest that it will be more radical in design than any of its competitors.
Under the bonnet, buyers will most likely be offered two options including Renault's 1.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine tweaked to deliver a little over 100HP along with the Twingo RS' naturally aspirated 1.6-liter gasoline engine that produces 133 horsepower at 6,750rpm and 160Nm of torque at 4,400rpm.
With Renault officials having already openly admitted that they are readying a roofless sportscar based on the Twingo mini that could enter production as early as 2010, it was only a matter of time before magazines started their speculative takes on the car's looks. In its latest issue, Autoplus has published a series of computer generated images based on scoop photos of a thinly disguised prototype of the so-called Twingo CC. The most prominent feature of Renault's budget-conscious sportscar is without doubt its rotating central-piece rooftop that is similar in design to the one found in the Ferrari 575 M Superamerica.
However, unlike Ferrari's rooftop that flings itself back onto the deck lid, the Twingo CC's single-piece hard-top is stowed away inside the boot which opens up in the same way as most coupe-convertibles.
If the car's design is anywhere close to what we see here in these CGIs - and judging by the accompanying scoop photo, there's a strong possibility it will, the Twingo CC won't be winning any beauty contests but it certainly looks like it will be turning heads on the road.
There's no official word on the powertrain options, but expect to see a variation of Renault's 1.2-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 100HP in standard form as well as the Twingo RS' naturally aspirated 1.6-liter engine with 133 Hp at 6,750rpm with 160Nm of torque at 4,400rpm.
Via: Autoplus
French automaker Renault has officially confirmed through its deputy vice president of small vehicle models, Yves-Eric Morel, that the company is readying a new cabriolet model based on the Twingo minicar that could be unveiled as early as the Frankfurt Auto Show in September with sales starting sometime during the first half of 2010. Unlike the conventional Fiat 500 and MINI droptops, the French automaker's cabrio be much more than just a Twingo without a rooftop as Renault's goal is to create a 'niche' model that will stand out from the crowd.
"We are working on a small convertible for 2010," Renault's deputy vice president of the small-car segment Yves-Eric Morel told Auto News Europe during a press event in Europe. "It's going to be a niche vehicle, and like any niche vehicle, the objective will be to do something different, that gives a boost to the brand's image. We're not going to do a Twingo CC," Morel said.
Although Morel declined to disclose any more specific details on the car, media speculation has it that the Twingo-based convertible will be a two-seater model featuring a retractable central-piece rooftop similar in design to the one found in the Ferrari 575 M Superamerica.
The next-generation Renault Megane Sport Tourer - you can simply call it an estate or a station wagon- has been scooped without a single trace of camouflage ahead of its world premiere at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show. Caught by our friends over at the Auto Hoje forums, the 2009 Megane Sport Tourer was discovered in the city of Lisbon in Portugal during a filming for an advertising campaign.
While sharing the same front-end styling with the new Megane hatchback models, the station wagon variant features a distinct rear-end design with split tail lights. Compared to the outgoing Megane estate, the new Sport Tourer features a 'swoopier' and lower roofline that offers the car a more dynamic appearance than its predecessor, but this could also mean that it is less practical.
Don't expect any surprises under the hood as the Sport Tourer will be offered with same gasoline and diesel unit as the hatchback. The petrol engine range will include 100HP and 110HP 1.6-liter units, a 140HP 2.0-liter and the turbocharged 130HP 1.4TCe and 180HP 2.0TCe. Diesel options will include 1.5 dCi 85HP, 90 HP, 105 HP and 110 HP units along with more powerful 130 HP, 150HP and 160 HP variants.
Via: Autohoje , 'Muito Obrigado' for the tip Jose!
