CMF1 matrix to spawn all C/D-sized Renaults

RENAULT has confirmed that all of its passenger vehicles above the Clio will be built on a new common architecture.

Dubbed CMF1 – for Common Module Family 1 – the transverse engine and front/all-wheel drive capable chassis will underpin the next-generation Megane, Laguna/Latitude replacement, and Espace.

In fact, the latter will be the first vehicle to espouse the fresh architecture, beginning with the fifth-generation people mover model from next year.

However, as revealed by Renault design chief Laurens van den Acker last October in GoAuto, it will follow in the footsteps of the Clio-based Captur by being less MPV and more monospace crossover.

At the time, Renault Australia managing director Justin Hocevar added that the Mk5 Espace is under consideration as a seven-seater competitor to the Toyota Kluger, Ford Territory, Kia Sorento, and Hyundai Santa Fe.

The 2015 Megane and its derivatives such as the Scenic will be the next CMF1 vehicles to follow, as will the medium-sized replacement for the slow-selling Laguna and Latitude – which will morph into one series.

On the SUV side, there will also be the 2015 Koleos spun off the new platform.

Speaking to the Australian media at the Captur launch in France this month, program manager Christophe Pejout outlined the CMF1’s importance within the Renault Alliance group.

“The C and D (models) will now be on one platform (called) CMF1,” he said.

“There will be many different bodies…. we are talking Megane and upwards… and the first will be the new Espace from next year.”Whether the CMF1 is just a reiteration of the new C/D platform that Nissan is using in the coming US-built Altima midsizer and fourth-generation Pathfinder crossover has not been confirmed.

The third-generation X-Trail and Mk2 Qashqai/Dualis, also due next year, will most probably be twinned with the upcoming Koleos again.

Excluding commercial vehicles, this should bring the number of mainstream Renault passenger vehicle platforms to three – B-segment for Clio/Captur and derivatives, CMF1 for all models above that, and the rear-engine/rear-drive A-sized Smart matrix, developed and shared with Daimler AG, for the 2014 Twingo and its Smart cousins.

On a side note, the current Latitude is not based on the old Nissan Maxima as previously reported, but a variation of the previous-generation Laguna platform, using engines from both the Nissan (V6s) and Renault (diesels) side of the alliance, according to Mr Pejout.