motor

New 2012 Renault Duster is an antidote to that idea. With a length of 4.31 metres and a width of 1.82 metres, Renault Duster is very compact. Its Megane-size proportions ensure that it is as at home in built-up areas as it is off the beaten track. Renault Duster was designed to cope with all types of road and track, all over the world. In order to meet these wide-ranging needs, Renault Duster will be available in both 4x4 and 4x2 form. The strengthened underside of Renault Duster is suitable for loose-surfaces and all-terrain use thanks to: high ground clearance of 210mm, short overhangs (822mm at the front, 820mm at the rear) and big clearance angles.

2012 Renault Duster

2012 Renault Duster

Renault Duster's occupants will appreciate the high standard of travelling comfort it provides, whatever the type of road or terrain, thanks to its high ride-height (205mm in 4x2 version and 210mm in 4x4 version) and specific work on its suspension (damper travel, springs and calibration). Comfort is further enhanced by Duster's long wheelbase (2.67m) and big 16-inch wheels. Renault Duster can be ordered with a 1.6 16V 105 petrol engine or a dCi 85 diesel engines, both of which have already showcased their qualities under the bonnet of numerous other Renault models. The combined cycle fuel consumption of the 4x2 and 4x4 versions of Renault Duster dCi 85 is just 5.1 and 5.3 litres/100km respectively. The combines cycle fuel consumption of the 4x2 and 4x4 versions of Renault Duster 1.6 16V 105 is 7.5 and 7.9 litres/100km respectively.

2012 Renault Duster

2012 Renault Duster

2012 Renault Duster Interior

Renault Duster benefits from Renault�s acclaimed expertise in the area of safety. On the active safety front, Renault Duster features, depending on versions, Bosch 8.1 ABS, as well as EBV electronic brakeforce distribution and EBA emergency brake assist. On the passive safety front, Renault Duster is fitted, as standard, with two front airbags (depending on market) and three-point seat belts with load limiters for the front seats, to which pyrotechnic pretensioners can be added. Depending on the version, two lateral head/thorax airbags are fitted in addition to the driver and passenger front airbags.

Renault�s latest concept car has a dual personality. These days, professional and personal lives are so intricately interwoven that drivers find themselves permanently channel-hopping between one world and the other. The role of Renault Frendzy is to be a partner that takes the strain out of this lifestyle. On the passenger�s side, there�s no glazing and no centre pillar, just one conventional door and one sliding side door which incorporates a 37-inch widescreen display. This is the world of work. The driver�s side, complete with side windows, still no centre pillar, but with centre opening doors represents the world of the family.

New 2012 Renault Frendzy is a vehicle that adapts to the requirements of the business user, with a large external screen that can display useful messages or information (such as �making deliveries� or �back in five minutes�, the battery-charging method or the remaining charge) or advertising messages, either whilst parked or on the move. Come the weekend, the vehicle transforms itself into a family vehicle, with a comfortable passenger seat and, in the rear, a big bench seat. Depending on their mood of the moment, children can watch a film or play games on the touch-sensitive pad which slides out from the back of the driver�s seat. They can even draw on a special slate integrated into the sliding door.

2012 Renault Frendzy

2012 Renault Frendzy

The driver�s side cockpit is designed along the theme of a futuristic �work bench� featuring a structure which appears to be made from molten metal. Green light emanating from the dashboard brings this smooth and organic architecture to life. These lights signify the �work� mode and tie in with the colour displayed on the exterior of the vehicle. Dominant throughout is the sense that the interior forms a cosy cabin which echoes the simple yet practical world of camping, and this is further reflected by extensive use of wood. Indeed, as much a symbol of warmth as it is of strength and timelessness, wood forms a link between the two modes. The leather latticework seats and removable accessories also refer to the camping metaphor.

2012 Renault Frendzy

2012 Renault Frendzy

The chief new feature of Frendzy as an electric vehicle is the extensive work that has gone into the sounds it produces. This work was carried out in conjunction with IRCAM (Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique / Musique). Electric vehicles are silent, so one of the big challenges facing Renault is customizing the sound they produce for safety reasons, notably at slow speeds.

2012 Renault Frendzy Interior

2012 Renault Frendzy Dasboard

Through accident analysis, Renault Frendzy has developed extensive knowledge on accident mechanisms. We can assess the efficiency (lives saved and injuries avoided) of each safety system and rank the systems to be fitted on our vehicles to optimize their real safety. One of the first accident studies was made on the Dauphine! Since then, safety has always fuelled our technical thinking and we have never stopped innovating. Seatbelt load limiters and anti-submarining systems are Renault inventions.

The UK market is welcoming the launch of the third Gordini-badged model after the respective versions of the Twingo RS and Clio RS, this time in Wind roadster guise, with buyers having a choice of two engines, the 1.2-liter TCE 100HP and the 1.6-liter 133HP.












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Read more In Cars

This year, as the Renault 4 celebrates its fiftieth anniversary, one thousand 4L from all over Europe or even further will gather from 15th to 17th July at Thenay in the centre of France for the third consecutive �4L International� event, bringing "blue jeans car" enthusiasts together over two days.

Participants will enjoy the surprises that Renault Classic, the event's partner, has in store for them, most of all the presence of Jean Ragnotti - who will present the lucky winner of a prize draw with the Renault 4 that he drove at the last Monte Carlo Historical Rally. A selection of exceptional Renaults from the Renault collection or private collections will also be on show.



However, Renault 4 number one thousand and one will no doubt catch the visitors� eyes.
While the �blue jeans car� has made a name for itself for many different reasons over its long and successful career (8,135,424 vehicles sold in over 100 countries over 31 years on the market), this is the very first time it will be given a 290hp engine to try and reach the straight-line speed of 280kph!

Les Triplettes de Bonneville and Renault Classic will in fact be showing off a Renault 4 Fourgonnette van, known as �Saline4Fun�, for the very first time. The vehicle will be taking part in Speed Week at Salt Lake City (Utah) from 13th-19th August, where the goal will be to beat a speed record on the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats.

These events are all part of the festivities planned this year to mark the 50th anniversary of the Renault 4, an emblematic model for the diamond brand.


The �4L International�

For the third year running, the 4L International meeting, bringing together enthusiasts from all over Europe and beyond, will be held at Thenay in the centre of France, in the heart of the Loire Valley tourist region.

The event has been backed by 4L Magazine and Renault Classic since it was founded.
�4L International� is an opportunity for enthusiasts to:

- meet and admire the vehicles of the various participants,
- watch demonstrations given by well-known drivers and personalities who have a connection with the Renault 4,
- see the vehicles displayed by Renault Classic,
- discover the region during a tourist rally,
- buy and sell parts and accessories in the market village.
- major contribution from Renault Classic who will show off around fifteen Renault 4,
- a raffle where the star prize is the Renault 4 driven by Jean Ragnotti at the Monte Carlo Historical Rally 2011,
- a number of games and competitions,
- a concert on the Saturday evening.

For the 50th anniversary of the Renault 4, the event will be even more spectacular with:


The �Saline4Fun�

The project
The project headed by Les Triplettes de Bonneville aims to celebrate the car�s 50th anniversary with an unlikely version of the Renault 4 F4 on the legendary salt lake at Bonneville in the USA, in August 2011.

To achieve their objective, they�ve had to:

- increase the vehicle�s performance with a new power train,
- ensure the vehicle is compliant with SCTA regulations,
- transport it over to the USA and drive it on the salt at Bonneville.

Although Les Triplettes have taken care of the last two prerequisites, they needed all Renault Classic�s expertise to fulfil the first requirement.

An unlikely Renault 4
The passion and the enthusiasm of Les Triplettes de Bonneville are ideally suited to the Renault 4. This new challenge (increasing the vehicle's performance with a new power train) will bring yet another dimension to the multi-functional 4L yet and Renault Classic is taking up the challenge with them.

Les Triplettes and Renault Classic have agreed to maintain the vehicle�s original appearance.

After hesitating for a while about the mechanics, they finally opted for a Renault 5 Turbo engine, loaned temporarily by a model from the collection. Renault Classic is fitting the engine to the Renault 4, adapting and fitting a specific gearbox, adapting the platform, the steering, suspension and braking components, the wiring harness and the petrol supply circuit, and preparing the paint and bodywork. Renault Sport Technologies is helping Renault Classic, providing advice and support (on the electrical harness in particular).

And hence the �Saline4Fun� is born!

Outside, only a very reduced ground clearance and a few "details� such as the exhaust coming out of the front right-hand wing or the parachute roof hatch suggest that this fun-looking van offers better performance than a regular Renault 4 van, like the ones used by tradesmen and company fleets in the past.


Technical specifications
The base: Renault 4 Fourgonnette (R4F4) from 1983

Chassis: original chassis, modified at the front to fit a specific gearbox (on the basis of the Renault 21 Turbo and Renault 25 GTX gearboxes).

Running gear: specific hub carriers and suspension uprights.

Suspension: specific.

Bodywork: original bodywork with wings and bonnet adapted.

Weight: approx. 720kg.

Engine and gearbox

Source: Renault 5 Turbo in French Championship set-up, based on 1983 production vehicles (driver - Jean Ragnotti).

Power: 290 hp

Positioning: same as original engine.

Gearbox: specific, based on Renault 21 Turbo and Renault 25 GTX gearboxes.

Brakes: Renault 25 (front) and Clio 2 (rear).

Safety

Roll cage, harness, extinguishers, US-standard bucket seat, para-brake.

Technical partners

- Renault Classic
- Daniel Heurton and Les Triplettes de Bonneville;
- Renault Sport Technologies
- Orbisoud (exhaust).
- Ferry Developpement (engine).

SCTA category

Blown Gas Cup, engine class H (from 1016 to 1523 hp).


Presentation of the Speed Week
The SCTA (Southern California Timing Association) has organised Speed Week on the Salt Lake located 160km to the east of Salt Lake City since 1949. Each summer, some of the lake�s water evaporates, leaving salt flats that are ideal for speed racing. The only disadvantage is the 1,200m altitude which isn�t good for engine performance, and temperatures nearing 45�.

For one week every year, over 500 competitors try and beat the land speed record, in cars or on motorbikes and sometimes in trucks. There are many different categories according to the type of vehicle, its age and how it has been transformed.

The runs (record attempts) take place on one of three tracks, fitted with time control cells every mile. If your speed beats the current record in your category, the car is enclosed to a fenced-off area. The next morning, all the competitors whose vehicles have been sent to this area have to repeat their performance and, if your average of the two "runs" still beats the record, the title is yours!

2011 event
Everything will begin with the two days of technical inspection on the 11th and 12th August.

Then, on the 13th, the opening ceremony will take place to officially launch the race week. The runs will come to an end at midday on 19th August � and the records will be awarded.

Les Triplettes de Bonneville

Three childhood friends, Jean Caillou, Gilles Pujol, and Frank Figuls, joined by Bernard Canonne, all 4L enthusiasts, founded Les Triplettes de Bonneville

Their achievements:
13 car and motorbike records, in various categories.


Les Triplettes hold:

- the first French car record at Bonneville since Renault in 1956 (records FIA),
- the first French SCTA record,
- the first French SCTA motorbike record,
- the first French female SCTA record,

The Renault 4: 50 years and counting!

| Renault

The unpredictable weather conditions made the qualifying of the British Grand Prix something of a gamble, and the teams weather forecasts were expecting rain during the final session. So everyone made sure that they got out quickly in order to set a fast time before it started to rain again.



















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The 100,000th big van rolled out of Renault's SoVAB plant (Soci�t� de V�hicules Automobiles de Batilly) in eastern France on Monday, July 11. The landmark figure speaks volumes for the vehicle's success, and orders for Renault Master have increased by 40 percent compared to the same period in 2010. The brand's 14 percent share of Europe's big van market up to end-May 2011 represents a rise of two points and 16 percent over the first five months of 2010. And this success isn't restricted to Europe either, since it is mirrored in the Euromed[1] region where the vehicle enjoys a market share of 17.9 percent (up 49 percent).

The SoVAB plant has pulled out all the stops to meet this growing demand which has resulted in full order books. Production rates have risen sharply, while 90 people were taken on during the first half of the year, allowing the factory to run two-and-a-half shifts. Everything is now in place for the unprecedented production rate of 600 vehicles per day to be reached by the last quarter of 2011.



"A remarkable team effort"
From New Master's launch to the availability of all 350 versions of the van in all its markets took a little more than one year, a remarkably short period of time given the immense challenge it represented in manufacturing terms. Indeed, while the broad variety of variants means that the needs of business customers are comprehensively covered, it has naturally made production more complex. "All those involved in the project produced a remarkable team effort," says Pierre Monflier, Factory Director. "Their unfailing commitment and motivation enabled us to make all 350 variants of New Master available in time. That's an achievement we can be proud of, and our biggest reward is the response of our customers which has resulted in full order books."

"The Renault network is a big plus!"
The 100,000th vehicle was delivered to the Colas Group which took delivery of its New Master at SoVAB's premises on Monday, July 11. Philippe Brissonneau, the Group's Equipment Director, explained his firm's choice of a New Master chassis cab which will go on to be converted into a dropside platform by Renault Tech: "We have worked with Renault for some years. Indeed, Renault is a fairly straightforward choice because our activity calls for reliable vehicles which match our needs at the lowest possible price. Renault has always met those requirements. We are convinced that this New Master will be even better than its predecessor, which is a vehicle we know very well. Being able to depend on Renault's network is obviously a big plus, too!"

Renault Master: an office on wheels
New Master is the third generation of Renault's big van. In addition to the range's breadth, the model features extensively revised, robust styling and sharply lower running costs (down 40 percent), thanks notably to the fuel efficiency of the new M9T engine which is made in Cl�on, France. New Master is also more driver-friendly, while work has gone into stowage solutions and innovations like pivoting and retractable tables, Carminat TomTom Live navigation and Bluetooth connectivity that make the cabin a genuine office on wheels.

In addition to New Master's success with its customers, the model has also been acclaimed by the trade's professionals:

- Business Vehicle of the Year 2011 (L�Automobile et Entreprise, France).
- Utility Vehicle of the Year 2011 (L�Argus, France).
- Van of the Year 2011 in Denmark and Lithuania.
- Van of the Year 2011 (What Van?, Great Britain)
- Van of the Year 2010 (Van Fleet World Honours, UK).
- Transporter of the Year 2010 (Kep, Germany).

THE SOVAB FACTORY (Soci�t� des V�hicules Automobiles de Batilly)

- Established in France's Meurthe et Moselle region in 1979.
- 2,350 staff with unlimited-term contracts (as of May 31, 2011)
- 1,802,410 vehicles manufactured since 1980.
- The factory has manufactured Masters since the model's first generation in 1980
- It is the only factory to produce New Renault Master.
- SoVAB also assembles the New Opel Movano.

(1) Bulgaria, Maghreb nations, Romania, Turkey.

| Renault