Renault is a French car manufacturer which produces a diverse range of products, from cars to buses. The company is renowned for the quirkiness of its designs and its innovations in the field of safety.
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Renault Car Reviews
Renault Overview
Brief History
Louis, Marcel, and Fernand Renault along with their friend Thomas Evert began Societe Renault Freres in 1899. With Louis, a young engineer, handling design and production while the others dealt with company management.
The brothers designed and sold their first model in December of 1898. The brothers then decided to build models for the racing circuit where their cars proved to be very successful and competent. Unfortunately Marcel Renault was killed in a racing accident in 1903, and other brother, Fernand Renault, was forced to retire for health reasons in 1906. Louis then accepted full control of the company as the last remaining brother.
Renault’s innovation led to many firsts for the company and their cars were held in high esteem by the public. The company developed and patented the first turbo charger and began manufacturing cars, taxis and buses.
During World War I the company began manufacturing arms, as well as producing airplanes and tanks to help support the war effort. Renault soon became the leading manufacturer of airplane engines and Louis Renault himself was publicly honoured for his contribution to the war effort.
The years following the First World War proved to be leaner times for Louis and the Renault Company. As the Second World War rolled around Louis once again took center stage developing arms and war vehicles. Unfortunately for him, he was crafting outlawed vehicles for Nazi Germany and was arrested. Louis Renault died in prison in 1944 from a broken neck. His assets were then seized by the French government.
Under the direction of the new state-run leadership the company flourished once again and even enjoyed success on the raceway. In 1996, despite its success, the company was privatized for a second time in order to promote its growth. Modern times have seen the company offer some innovative designs despite the unfortunate political mishaps that have surrounded the company’s past.
Model Range
Some of Renault’s most popular current models include; the Renault Modus, Clio, Espace, and the Kangoo. Other popular models include the Renault Laguna, Megane, and the Scenic.
Renault Modus
The Renault Modus is a small MPV. It comes with five-doors and offers more interior room without enlarging the exterior size of the vehicle. The Modus offers a unique seating arrangement designed for added versatility but is essentially a taller Clio on account that it shares the Clio’s platform and has a very similar engine range to the latest Clio.
The Modus began production in 2004 and is targeted at costumers looking for a compromise between the Clio and the Scenic. The Modus received a full five star safety rating from Euro NCAP which is a first for a car of its kind.
Renault Clio
The Renault Clio is a supermini that has been produced in four generations since 1990. The Clio has been produced in three and five-door hatchback form, in four-door saloon form and in five-door Estate form. Since it was first produced the Clio has seen consistent success often featuring as one of Europe’s top-selling cars as well as being the only car to have been elected European Car of the Year twice.
Renault Espace
The Espace is a large MPV capable of seating seven passengers. The Espace is often considered as being one of the original minivans. The large MPV comes in five-door form and was originally produced in 1984.
Renault Kangoo
The Kangoo is a van that was first produced in 1997.The rear seats can be removed in order to optimize the car's load carrying capacity. The Kangoo comes with a range of engine option and the second generation Kangoo can be bought in 4 different body styles: the Kangoo Van, the Kangoo Van Maxi, the Kangoo Van Maxi and the Kangoo Maxi Crew Van which are typically chosen based on the payload required. The Kangoo replaced the Renault Combi.
Renault Laguna
The Renault Laguna is a large family car. The Laguna has been produced in three generations and replaced the Renault 21. The Laguna was first produced in 1993 and was discontinued in 2011. The Laguna can either come in hatchback, coupé or estate form, it also has a wide selection of engines that can be chosen from.
Renault Mégane
The Renault Mégane is a small family car. The Mégane is offered in a variety of body styles; three and five-door hatchback, saloon, coupé, convertible, and estate form. The Mégane was first produced in 1995.
Renault Scénic
The Renault Scenic is a small MPV that has been produced in three generations. It is based on the chassis of the Mégane with the first generation of Scénic being mechanically identical to the Mégane hatchback. The first generation Scénic was met with more demand than Renault anticipated and also became the 1997 ‘European Car of the Year’.
Renault Fluence Z.E.
The Fluence ZE is a fully electric family saloon. It's not a bad car to drive but, thanks to its limited range, it is simply too impractical to offer an alternative to the conventional family car.
