[WCF]

[GMM]

 

[GMM]

 

Two new entry level rally cars based on the Twingo RS are joining Renault's range of competition cars that also includes the Clio Renaultsport R3 Access and Maxi. Aimed at budget conscious buyers, the Twingo R1 and R2 come in the form of a motorsport kit featuring all the required parts aside from tires. Renault said that customers who buy the kit will be able to purchase a Twingo Renaultsport 133 at a special price.

First up is the Twingo RenaultSport R1, which can participate in all regional, national and international rallies. In essence, the R1 is a production car fitted with some essential safety equipment such as a welded roll cage.

The R1's 133HP 1.6-liter engine and gearbox are identical to the production model though Renault said that an ECU setting giving torque at lower engine speeds will be homologated to improve mid-range performance.

Along with the safety equipment, the Twingo RenaultSport R2 package adds an array of performance upgrades including a more powerful 1.6-liter unit with 160HP at 7,200 rpm and a peak torque of 160Nm at 5,500rpm. The four-cylinder unit is coupled to a five-speed 'dog' sequential gearbox and steering column mounted shift lever while there's also a ZF limited slip differential.

In addition, the Twingo Renaultsport R2 is fitted with bump- and rebound-adjustable shock absorbers, motorsport brake pads and one-piece aluminium wheel rims that are available in 6.5x16" (tarmac) and 6x15" (gravel) sizes and can be fitted with 195/50 R 16 (tarmac) or 195/65 R 15 (gravel) tires.

Inside, the R2 features the same dashboard and central console as on the road car, but comes with two Sabelt Renaultsport seats and harnesses as well as an LED instrumental panel that displays all the necessary information.

Renault said that both kits go on sale in early April, 2010, with the R2 package (not including the price of the car) starting at €27,990 without tax. The French automaker did not release pricing for the basic R1 kit.

For those that just can't wait until early December to see ex-F1 champion, Alain Prost, getting behind the wheel of the competition version of Dacia's forthcoming Duster crossover for the Trophée Andros racing series, here's a video with some action-packed footage from the test runs. We remind you that the competition Duster 4x4 gets a mid-mounted, 3.0-liter V6 engine that pumps out 350 horsepower. Click through to watch the videos.

Via Carscoop

Boasting one of the longest names in the auto biz, the Renault Twingo Gordini RenaultSport marks the revival of the Gordini badge that will soon find its place on all RenaultSport products. Despite the sporty heritage of Gordini, these models will not carry any engine or chassis upgrades with improvements limited to the cars' styling. Now, what's the French word for 'lame'?

The first Gordini product is based on the Renault's pocket-rocket, the Twingo RenaultSport 133 that's powered by a 1.6-liter four-pot with 133 horsepower.

On the outside, the upmarket Gordini is distinguished by the traditional blue metallic finish with two white racing stripes. A closer look reveals that the bumpers are enhanced by gloss black centre sections, while the fog lamp surrounds, exterior door mirror housings and rear tailgate spoiler are trimmed in a contrasting white finish.

A set of 17-inch alloy wheels with a polished face and a choice of the inner rim finished in either blue or black complete the exterior package.

Moving on into the cabin, Renault says that the sport seats are now trimmed in blue and black leather with the same colors making their appearance on the door panel inserts, leather steering wheel and instrument panel..

Furthermore, there's a blue gearlever gaiter and Gordini-badged gearlever knob and a leather trimmed dashboard cowl.

Along with the styling additions, the Renault Twingo Gordini RenaultSport gains extra standard equipment including automatic climate-control, automatic headlamp activation, automatic wiper activation, cruise control, fully disconnectable ESP and an upgraded MP3 audio system.

The first Gordini model will make its physical debut on January 10 at the Atelier Renault on the Champs-Elysées, with sales set to begin across Europe in March.

Dacia, or to be precise, its parent company Renault, has released the first photos and technical information on a competition version of the Romanian brand's forthcoming Duster, an affordable 4x4 that will be officially revealed at next year's Geneva Show. Earlier this year, a set of photos depicting the 2010 Duster SUV without a single trace of camouflage, made their way onto the interwebs revealing the 4x4 in all its glory.

It goes without saying that the competition version of Dacia Duster, which was developed by Renault Sport Technologies, and the actual production model have nothing in common other than the exterior silhouette, and the front and rear fascias.

Under its glass-fibre body, the Duster ice-racer features a tubular chassis that houses a mid-rear mounted, 3.0-liter, 24-valve V6 engine from the Renault-Nissan Alliance range, tweaked to develop 350hp at 7,500rpm, and maximum torque of 360Nm at 5,500rpm. Power is sent to the wheels through a six-speed sequential gearbox.

Other highlights of the Duster that weighs in at just 950kg or 2,100 lbs, include the double wishbone suspension arrangement with long-travel dampers and a mechanical four-wheel steering system that links the front and rear wheels, and can be rapidly adjusted to match the characteristics of different circuits.

The Romanian budget brand's competition model will make its debut at France's famous Trophée Andros ice-racing series. Four-time Formula 1 Drivers' Champion Alain Prost will get behind the wheel of the Dacia.

"I am delighted to be driving the Dacia Duster," said Prost. "It is a brand new vehicle, and I am proud to be able to play a part in its promotion to the unusual backdrop of the Trophée Andros. Thanks to the work put in by Renault Sport Technologies, I have every confidence in Dacia Duster's potential and reliability which together point to an extremely exciting season," he concluded.

DACIA DUSTER COMPETITION CAR - TECHNICAL DATA

CHASSIS

• Tubular steel chassis
  
• Double wishbone suspension
  

ENGINE

• Renault-Nissan Alliance VQ 30
  
• Position: mid-rear
  
• Six cylinders (V6)
  
• Number of valves: 24
  
• Cubic capacity: 2,987cc
  
• Bore x stroke: 93mm x 73.3mm
  
• Maximum power: 257kW EEC (350hp) at 7,500rpm
  
• Maximum torque: 360Nm EEC at 5,500rpm
  

TRANSMISSION

• Six-speed SADEV sequential gearbox
  

BRAKES

• Front: 260mm-diameter vented steel discs
  
• Rear: 265mm-diameter steel discs
  

WHEELS

• 5.5" x 16" (magnesium)
  
• Tyres: Continental Racing Contact 3
  

DIMENSIONS / WEIGHT

• Length: 4,001mm
  
• Width: 1,900mm
  
• Front/rear track: 1,690mm
  
• Wheelbase: 2,500mm
  
• Weight: 950kg
  
• Fuel tank capacity: 25 liters

We know that many of you -well, at least those living on the other side of the pond- are quite excited about Renault's new 2010 Megane RenaultSport 250, so we got hold of this freshly released video that shows the French automaker's F1 pilot, Romain Grosjean, driving the car at the Nurburgring circuit. Building on the company's growing presence in the hot-hatch market, the Megane RS features a 250HP 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with power being delivered to the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. Watch the RS at the Green Hell after the break.

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 Cup version of the Twingo RenaultSport 133 is the latest model to join Renault's UK lineup. While keeping the same 133 horsepower 1.6-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine as its sister model, the Twingo RS Cup does without air conditioning, automatic headlamp and wiper operation, extra tinted rear windows and features a one-piece bench in place of the usual independent sliding rear seats. What it does come equipped with is the Cup chassis pack that is a £650 option on the regular 133.

The Cup chassis lowers the mini's ride height by 4mm and features sportier damper settings and 10 percent stiffer front and rear spring rates while riding on 17-inch alloy wheels fitted with Continental Sport Contact3 195/40 tires. Gloss black finish is available for the Cup 17-inch alloys wheels at £175.

All in all, the Twingo RS 133 Cup is priced at £11,795, or £700 less than the standard version. Renault's UK dealers will begin accepting orders for the car from 1st October with first deliveries expected in November.

Via listcarworld