Renault plans green shake-up

It’s the new French revolution! A hi-tech family of electric cars costing less than their petrol equivalents will drive Renault to the front of the race to become Europe’s greenest auto maker, bosses have announced.

What’s more, the first of these new vehicles will be launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in the autumn, and the whole plan will be complete in less than three years. To keep the cost of these electric cars down, they will be sold without batteries. Instead, drivers will be able to lease the powerpacks from dealers at a monthly cost that “will be the same as buying petrol or diesel”, according to a spokesman.

Top brass outlined the move as they announced their vision to create a new range of Renaults with average CO2 emissions of only 40g/km by 2012. To do this, the firm says it will supplement the electric cars with a new generation of ultra-efficient petrol and diesel models. These will be powered by advanced low-emission units – options being discussed at the moment include a 900cc three-cylinder petrol and an upmarket 1.6-litre diesel with 140bhp.

In addition, designers will be charged with the task of transforming the look of future Renaults to boost aerodynamics and, in turn, improve economy.

As well as a range of clean, green models, Renault is planning a drop-top Twingo – and as these spy shots show, it’s nearly ready for dealers.
With a one-piece folding metal roof, the CC-style car will add some glamour to the Twingo line-up, and is set to rival the likes of the Vauxhall Tigra and Peugeot 207 CC.

The two-seater shares the Twingo’s 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine, but benefits from a boost in power to around 120bhp. Sales are likely to start later this year.