We've got nearly 50 years of Renault madness here, from North and South America, Africa, and- of course- Europe. And if you manage to slog through every last one… well, you know the drill by now; if this collection is just insufficient Classic Ad Watch action for you, continue with the Top Super Bowl Car Ads, then keep going with our Top 20 Vintage GM ads, Top 20 Vintage Chevrolet Ads, Top 20 Vintage Datsun ads, Top 20 Vintage Toyota ads, and Top 20 Vintage Chrysler ads. Need more? Go to the Top Car Commercials Of The 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

1981 Le Car	1988 5	1961 Dauphine	1986 21
1980 18 Diesel	1987 18	2008 Kangoo	2007 All Models
2002 Mégane	1981 Fuego GTX	1982 5	1982 18i
1983 Fuego Turbo	1999 Clio MTV	1981 5	1985 Encore
1959 Dauphine	1984 Encore	1998 Clio	1966 4

NEW MEGANE TROPHY: ON TRACK FOR THE 2009 WORLD SERIES BY RENAULT

Having starred in the World Series by Renault's premier saloon car championship since the creation of the WSR in 2005, Megane Trophy has undergone a raft of radical modifications in readiness for the 2009 campaign. The most visible change concerns its new body design which takes its inspiration
from the lines of New Megane Coupe. Under the bonnet, a fresh look has also been taken at the Renault-Nissan Alliance's V6 3.5 24V powerplant which now delivers 360hp. At the same time, Renault Sport Technologies has carried over many of the acclaimed features of the current Megane Trophy to produce a reliable, competitive and affordable racing car.

There can be no mistaking New Megane Trophy's resolutely sporty calling and pedigree thanks its stunning looks which are based on the design of New Megane Coupe. The front and rear light units and windscreen are those of the road car, while the designers at the Renault Technocentre have made full use of digital simulation technology in the realm of fluid mechanics to hone the flowing lines of the bodywork. New Megane Trophy also carries over the ground effect aerodynamics of the existing car:

- The front splitter channels airflow to the extractors,
- Rear downforce is generated by the diffuser and wing.
Refinements to the set-up have produced a 20% improvement in downforce and a 15% reduction in drag which, together, represent a gain of almost 40% in terms of the new car's aerodynamic performance over the previous generation machine.

New Megane Trophy is equipped with butterfly doors redolent of the world of GT and sports-prototype racing.

Under its composite outer skin, New Megane Trophy features the same mechanicals as the current car, including an FIA-homologated sports-prototype tubular chassis, a mid-rear V6 3.5 24V engine, a semiautomatic gearbox with steering wheel-mounted paddle shift, double wishbone suspension with adjustable dampers, 18-inch wheels and
Michelin tires, etc.

A new inlet manifold, which is fed by roof-mounted air-ducts, has taken engine power from 330 to 360hp. The new car's reliability is as excellent as ever with rebuild intervals of every 5,500km. Combined with the aerodynamic gains, the extra power output of the V6 3.5 24V engine will enable New Megane Trophy to lap in times similar to those of a Porsche GT3.

After completion of its development program, New Megane Trophy will go on sale at the end of the year in the form of a kit that will enable existing cars to be upgraded. The modifications required to adapt the chassis to the new bodywork will be carried out by the Alpine factory in Dieppe.

As in previous years, the Eurocup Megane Trophy will form part of the World Series by Renault program and its calendar takes in some of Europe's most prestigious venues. This single-make series, which is a hit with drivers and teams alike, is based on the same core strengths that have forged the success of Renault Sport's race championships, namely:

- A perfectly level playing field thanks to rigorous scrutineering checks and the outlawing of tuning of the majority of components,
- Contained costs thanks to restrictions relating to tires and private testing,
- Extensive media coverage thanks to live television, plus the opportunity to race in meetings that have attracted two million spectators since 2005.

In the course of each race weekend, drivers contest two races of a duration of approximately 40 minutes each and which include a mandatory refuelling stop. Megane Trophy has been widely praised for its simplicity and the ease with which drivers are able to familiarize themselves with the cars, while the series is aimed at upcoming youngsters who have come up through the ranks of single-seater formulae and gentleman drivers.

NEW RENAULT MÉGANE
ALLURING, INTUITIVE AND REASSURING

New Renault Mégane's lines are the product of a desire to produce an immediately eye-
catching car. Its dynamic, elegant styling takes its inspiration from the passion
associated with the automobile, including cues from the world of sport. New Renault
Mégane is robust, too, with the accent very much on the fit and finish of its panels, as
well as on that of the materials it employs. The new model has also benefited from the
progress that has been achieved across the Renault range on both the reliability and
durability fronts.

New Renault Mégane's interior is extensively equipped with practical, comfort-enhancing features. These include combined analogue/digital instruments incorporating a new, easier to read colour-coded cruise control/speed limiter interface. The list continues with a host of equipment normally associated with the next segment up, such as hands-free entry and ignition, automatic locking as the driver walks away from the car, a Carminat Bluetooth® DVD navigation system and a custom-developed audio system (3D Sound by Arkamys®).

New Renault Mégane's on-road performance lives up every bit to the high standard
promised by its looks, with precision, control and efficiency combining to deliver a
particularly enjoyable and reassuring ride. A broad, extensively renewed range of dCi
and TCe powerplants combining performance and respect for the environment is
available, with four diesel engines that can claim CO2 emissions equal to, or less than,
120g/km.

New Renault Mégane has been designed to offer best-in-class safety performance, too.
Features include double side impact sensors and dual-chamber airbags as seen on Laguna III and aimed at minimizing the consequences of a side-on collision.
It is also a socially responsible vehicle which is 95 per cent end-of-life recoverable by
weight, while almost 12 per cent of the plastics it contains are sourced from recycling,
equivalent to an average of 22kg per car.

New Renault Mégane marks the beginning of Renault's renewal of its C-segment line-up.
With market share of more than a third, this segment has long been the biggest in
Western Europe and makes a significant contribution to Renault's performance in terms
of both volume and profitability.

By 2010, the New Mégane family will include six different models, each of which will have its own distinct and assertive personality. These six models have been conceived
essentially for customers in European markets and will be manufactured in Palencia
(Spain) and Douai (France). Other models will be available in non-European markets
equipped with specific technical solutions suited to local conditions of use.

For almost two years, Renault's design and engineering teams focused their attention on three main areas of development, namely reinforcing the personality of each member of the Mégane line-up, ensuring a balanced offer in terms of performance and equipment, and targeting best-in-class positioning for all of its key features.

New Renault Mégane, which goes on sale from November 2008, comes after the 15th car
of the Renault Commitment 2009 plan and consequently benefits fully from the progress
achieved in terms of quality on preceding models.

[Source: Renault]

No details have been released about engine choices but it is expected that they will not deviate too far from the current lineup and are likely add some "greener" options. Overall, it's a sharp looking sedan though it seems to have lost a bit of the French whimsy that makes the current generation so lovable. [KM77 via Motive]

Using the Mégane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26 as a basis, the .R uses a carbon-fiber hood, polycarbonate windows and a titanium exhaust, and drops all the interior bits including the rear seats, the climate control, every airbag except the driver's and the sound deadening. The changes all add up to a significant 271 lbs. The .R also uses stiffer suspension with custom geometry, track tires and upgraded brakes. The package results in a 0-60 time of 6.0 seconds, and that all important lap record, probably making this the best driving FWD car of all time. Full specs below.

RENAULT UNVEILS MEGANE RENAULTSPORT R26.R

* New limited edition Mégane Renaultsport R26.R makes its worldwide debut at the British International Motor Show today, 22 July, 2008
* Developed from the Mégane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26, the R26.R retains the same engine, gearbox and limited slip differential but with a significant weight reduction of 123kg
* Achieves new lap record of the Nürburgring of 8m 17s, the fastest for a front-wheel-drive production car
* Features from the world of racing with a carbon bonnet, polycarbonate windows, Sabelt race seats and six-point harnesses
* Optional roll cage and titanium exhaust
* Priced at £22,990
* Limited to 450 examples worldwide, 230 of which will come to the UK. On sale from October

The Mégane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26 was launched in November 2006 and has enjoyed a great success. Using this base, Renaultsport launch an extreme version, the Mégane Renaultsport R26.R. Developed by Renault Sport Technologies, the Mégane R26.R joins the family that also comprises the Clio Renaultsport 197, Mégane Renaultsport 225, Mégane Renaultsport dCi 175 and, from September, the Twingo Renaultsport 133. Since the launch in April 2004, the family of Mégane Renaultsport has sold more than 20,000 units in almost 30 countries.

The launch of this ultimate version underlines Renault Sport Technologies' role as a leading manufacturer of high performance cars.

Mégane R26.R has been developed to:

* offer customers who enjoy trackdays a car with an unrivalled performance per pound ratio
* be an enthusiast's icon

Radical looks

Renault Sport Technologies have given the Mégane R26.R visual differences that mark out the car at first glance. The carbon fibre bonnet and new 18" alloy wheels in red are the main visual clues together with a new rear spoiler, plus R26.R decals and logos and tinted polycarbonate in place of glass in the tailgate and rear side windows. The car is available in seven colours, two of which are new to the Mégane, Racing Blue and Renault i.d. Lunar Grey and one is brand new, Renault i.d. Pearlescent White.

Inside the R26.R the atmosphere is as radical as the outside. Competition seats with a carbon fibre shell are supplied by Sabelt who also supply the six-point harnesses, the first time that this form of restraint has been homologated in a production car. Conventional lap and diagonal seat belts can be fitted as an accessory. No rear seat is fitted. The steering wheel and gearlever gaiter are in leather and suede. A plaque shows the production number for each country:

* 230 for the UK
* 126 for France
* 26 for Spain
* 26 for Spain
* 26 for Germany

Lightweight DNA

To improve the power to weight ratio, the Mégane R26.R has been on a strict diet, losing 123kg compared to the standard R26. This has been achieved by the removal of:

* Rear seats and seat belts
* Passenger airbag and curtain airbags (the driver's airbag remains)
* Climate control (air conditioning remains as standard)
* Rear wash/wipe and heated rear window
* Front fog lamps
* Headlamp washers
* Radio/CD player
* Most of the soundproofing

Other new elements are:

* carbon fibre bonnet (saves 7.5kg)
* tailgate and rear side windows in polycarbonate (saves 5.7kg)
* Sabelt seats with carbon fibre shell and aluminium base (saves 25kg)
* Six-point harnesses
* Rear spoiler
* Optional roll cage
* Optional titanium exhaust

A chassis without compromise

The suspension and brakes have been optimised to make the most of the new, lighter weight and to provide maximum performance. The front independent suspension is maintained but with the following new parts:

* new front springs (14mm/100kg compared to 13.4mm/100kg)
* new rear springs (16.2mm/100kg from 15.1mm/100kg)
* the shock absorber settings are also re-calibrated
* the brake discs are grooved, not drilled
* new alloy wheels are fitted with a different offset increasing the track by 4mm
* Toyo Proxes R888 225/40R18 tyres are available as an option in place of the standard Michelin Pilot Sport 2 235/40R18
* Stiffer lower arm bushes

To guarantee the best possible traction, the R26.R retains the limited slip differential from the Mégane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26. This is a mechanical differential with helical teeth and retains the same transfer rate of 33%. The combination of this limited slip differential and independent steering-axis front suspension minimises torque steer and enables power to be applied earlier during cornering.

A performance car needs brakes that are both powerful and fade-resistant. The Mégane R26.R has large 312mm ventilated discs at the front with Brembo four-piston callipers that provide stopping power at the highest level. To resist fade, the discs are grooved as opposed to drilled.

230hp

The R26.R takes its engine and gearbox from the Mégane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26. This develops a peak power of 230hp and torque of 310Nm. A characteristic of this engine is the wide power band, with 90% of the torque available from 2000 to 6000rpm.

However, to reduce the gear change time, a short-shift gear linkage is fitted.

The R26.R accelerates from zero to 62mph in 6 seconds and passes the 1000 metre mark in 25.9 seconds. The combined fuel consumption is 33.2 mpg and emissions are 199g/km.

Nürburgring lap record

On 23 June, the Mégane R26.R established a new lap record for a front wheel drive production car of the Nürburgring circuit with a time of just 8 minutes 17 seconds. To commemorate this exceptional level of performance, the circuit outline and lap time is etched into the rear side windows.

The Mégane R26.R is unveiled today, 22 July, in London at the British International Motor Show and goes on sale in October limited to just 450 examples in total.

Price and optional equipment

The Mégane R26.R is £22,990 on the road. The pricing for the optional equipment is:

* Roll cage and Toyo Proxes tyres £700
* Titanium exhaust £tbc
* Deletion of decals No charge
* Black alloy wheels £120
* Climate control £460
* Metallic paint £375
* Renault i.d. Glacier White £150
* Renault i.d. Pearlescent Paint £1200

Customers can find out more by visiting www.renaultsport.co.uk

ENDS

Like most concepts, this one is also loaded to the gills with futuristic features and designs. It looks mighty futuristic and sexy, but would anybody actually drive this thing? I don't think I could bear with myself entering and exiting the car with the dragonfly style doors. It would just feel too douchebaggy.

MÉGANEGANE COUPÉ CONCEPT: AN EXTREME EXPRESSION OF CHARACTER AND DYNAMISM

Renault has chosen the Geneva Motor Show to take the wraps off its Mégane Coupé Concept show car which foreshadows a compact production coupe to be released at a later date. Like NewLaguna, it points to an evolution towards more fluid, sportier styling from Renault. Mégane CoupéConcept targets drivers who are not only drawn by the notion of driving pleasure but who also seek to express their personality through their vehicle. Mégane Coupé Concept symbolizes Renault's vision of what a genuine compact sports coupe should deliver, namely character and dynamism, two traits epitomized by the show car's unprecedented door-opening kinematics. Distinctive looks that exude personality and dynamism

Mégane Coupé Concept provides a foretaste of the forthcoming Mégane Coupe. "This show car emphatically showcases the evolution at Renault Design. Its squatter proportions and powerful, energetic styling talk directly to the driver's senses; they say 'driving pleasure'. The spectacular, unprecedented door-opening kinematics add that little touch of magic which contributes to the dream factor associated with the automobile," explains Renault's Patrick Le Quément, Senior Vice President, Corporate Design.

Of a total length of 4.51 metres, Mégane Coupé Concept features a modern, dynamic silhouette with tautlines that seem to suggest perpetual movement, while its alert, expressive front-end looks point at once to a truly dynamic personality.

The juxtaposition of headlamp modules with aluminium-finish air-intakes also conveys an impression of fluidity and movement. The two rows of main and dipped beam lights sit on a crystal-like striated strip which fills the sidelight and daytime running light functions. The headlamps use high-performance light-emitting diodes which are both long-lasting and extremely efficient.

The foglamps also employ LED technology and blend harmoniously with the dynamic, front-end styling. The shoulder-lines flow along the curvaceous sides before culminating in a squat rear-end which expresses power and movement. The four independent tubes that make up the modern rear lights are housed in the bodywork and serve as a further illustration of the dynamic, technological spirit behind Mégane Coupé Concept. Day or night, they form a highly distinctive signature. The boot, which pulls open and then lifts to minimize vertical travel, echoes the kinematics of the doors which are divided into two sections.

The panelled door itself is topped by a separate glazed area and, as they open, the two parts deploy gracefully and elegantly in an independent movement redolent of dragonfly wings. A carbon arm at the rear of the doors connects them to the body structure and the system ensures particularly easy access for passengers. In addition to its practical aspect, this technological feature reveals a cabin that blends effortlessly with the elegance and energy expressed by the exterior.

The cabin: a compelling extension of the exterior's dynamic voluptuousness

The interior is redolent of the world of contemporary furniture. The independent, asymmetric front seats, which rise up from the sills, seem to float in midair. Their wafer-like forms express an airy lightness, while their enveloping design is a pledge of comfort and holds the occupants firmly in place. The aperture revealed by the open doors carries over to the front seat shells and the upper part of the two rear seats. This sculptural, one-piece structure, which is finished in fire red lacquer, ensures a seamless link between the exterior and the cabin.

The centre console extends through to the rear seats and its layered design recalls the striated bar of the headlamp modules. The futuristic, ethereal dashboard features expressive, flowing lines and can be divided into two distinct sections: the red lacquered main structure and black nubuck inserts which can hold small items.

This embedded zone houses the sophisticated instrumentation which takes its inspiration from aviator-style watches, including a speedometer which displays the speed in analogue form on the periphery and in digital form in the centre, plus an analogue rev-counter. Both feature black metallic backgrounds with white graphics and red backlighting.

The choice of colours and materials is another means by which the exterior and interior have been harmonized to highlight Mégane Coupé Concept's volumes and magic. The iridescent Dragon Grey body-colour goes well with the dragonfly-like door-opening mechanism and the paintwork's rainbow finish gives a fresh vision of the car every time the light changes: even at a standstill, it appears to be in movement.

Meanwhile, the interior's contrasting colour-scheme underpins the dynamic exterior thanks to the blend of fire red lacquer (dashboard, upper part of the centre console, front seatbacks, etc.) and softer black leather or nubuck for the door panels, seat cushions and centre console).

The door panels themselves incorporate supple, slide-locking stowage, while the floor is protected by a black, modern, graphic mesh. Carrying over the red of the interior, there are hints of red outside, too, including the roofline, foglamp surrounds, wheel spokes and exhaust tailpipes.

The cabin equipment is modern and intuitive

The different controls have been inspired by the Renault-pioneered Touch Design approach and are both simple and practical. The central multimedia control is coupled with a display divided into three zones. The central part displays all journey-related information (navigation, radio, music, video, Bluetooth telephone), while the screens either side show the images relayed by cameras incorporated in the exterior mirrors.

Mégane Coupé Concept is locked and unlocked using a Samsung F700 mobile phone which serves as a hands-free card and connects to the centre console. Both rear passengers benefit from a portable Samsung P2 audio/video multimedia player with touch screen which they can use to swap files using the mp3/video Bluetooth controls.

The four-zone climate control system allows each passenger to select the temperature they prefer using controls housed either side of the dashboard in the case of the front passengers or on the front seatbacks for rear occupants

Special care has also gone into ensuring that the cabin is brightly lit. The red backlighting of the instruments contrasts with the surrounding black backgrounds. Meanwhile, the panoramic windscreen extends over the roof to provide additional clarity during the day and blue-hued cabin lighting at night.

A show car dedicated to passion and driving pleasure

Mégane Coupé Concept's generous bumper, wide, low grille and alveolar air-intake point to the presence of a high-performance powerplant under the bonnet. Indeed, Mégane Coupé Concept is powered by a 200hp (147kW) 2.0 Turbo petrol engine which delivers torque of 280Nm at 2,600rpm and peak power of 200hp at 5,800rpm to ensure punch and flexibility at all engine speeds for everyday motoring pleasure.

Mated to a manual six-speed gearbox, the 2-litreturbocharged unit drives Mégane Coupé Concept from a standstill to 100kph in just 7.2 seconds, yet it returns economical fuel consumption of just 6.5 litres/100km (154g of CO2/km).In order to exploit this engine to the full, Mégane Coupé Concept features a sport chassis, plus suspension and steering engineered to guarantee precise, responsive handling.

This promise is compounded by the 21-inch aluminium alloy, seven-spoke, satin-finish Dragon Grey wheels equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres (245/35) which provide outstanding grip for even greater driving pleasure.

Mégane Coupé Concept is a compact, stylish, dynamic coupe which delivers undeniable driving pleasure, while its sporty calling is also expressed by its modern, elegant cabin. This show car, which builds on the trend established by Laguna Coupé Concept, sees Renault take its will to dial genuine passion into its cars yet another step forward.

[Source: Renault]

If Nissan needs a million-dollar idea, they can take this one: Rebadge the special-edition M gane Renaultsport 225 F1 — which debuted at the Autosport International show in the UK last week — as a Nissan premium sports hatchback and take on the Audi A3 and VW GTI in the US. It might involve some shuffling of production facilities, number crunching and various federalization hassles, but they'd be guaranteed a minimum of 5,000 sales a year. (Well, maybe it's not worth it after all — damn you, P&L!) Still, you can get one in the UK — equipped with Brembo front stoppers, ESP and track-ready dampers and springs; 18-inch alloys and Dunlop tires; Recaro front seats, and special badging — for around 19,500. (Don't do the currency conversion, it'll only bring you down.)

Related:
Renault Clio Nabs European Car of the Year Award [internal]

Whither Bill Blass? Millionaire tax evaders of the Cote d'Azur, and the Europlebes who sweat them, have a new car on which to spend their chemin-de-fer winnings. Renault is offering a special-edition Megane cabrio inspired by that swingin' principality, Monaco. The dandy four-seater with its folding glass roof now comes with an economy package including 17 "Louxor" alloy wheels, dark gray leather upholstery with red leather trim, climate control and metallic paint in four custom colors. Cruise control with speed limiter and heated front seats can be had for nightime gropefests with Danish waitresses along the Quai Antoine, or more likely, outside a Streatham nightclub.

More at Dubspeed Driven

Related:
Clio Renaultsport Concept: Infused With F1 Cues [internal]