Melbourne show: Renault relaunches

FRENCH manufacturer Renault will return to the Australian market in mid-May with a keenly priced four-car range.

The brand, once a big seller in Australia and last seen here in the mid-1990s as part of an ill-fated co-venture with Volvo, will initially be represented by just 15 dealers predominantly based in east coast metropolitan centres.

By the end of the year that dealer body could grow to as many as 25, most of them adding Renault to their existing Nissan franchises.

An important reason for that is Renault is the controlling shareholder in Nissan Japan, and a company owned by Nissan Australia is conducting the Australian relaunch.

That company, Renault Australia, will spend $40 million by the end of 2002 re-establishing here.

Its long-term ambition is to be the number one European brand in Australia, selling more than 20,000 vehicles a year.

The cars to go on sale in May will be the Clio Renault Sport three-door hot hatch, the Megane Cabriolet, Scenic compact people-mover and its four-wheel drive spin-off, the RX4.

But that range will be quickly boosted by the Laguna II prestige hatchback and estate in both 3.0-litre V6 and 2.0-litre four-cylinder forms, and more variants of the Clio before the end of 2001.

A range of light commercial vehicles will be added to the range in 2002.The Vel Satis luxury car, just launched at the Geneva Motor Show, is a strong possibility for 2002 as well.

Cornerstone of the launch range is the Scenic, which in Europe accounted for more than 300,000 sales in 2000. In Australia, it is predicted the RX4 will be the top seller with around 1000 sold to the end of 2001, while the Scenic accounts for 800 sales.

The RX4 is pitched against the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester in the burgeoning compact 4WD sector. Powered by a 2.0-litre 100kW, engine it will be sold in two specification levels - the $31,150 Expression and the $33,250 Privilege.

Both models come with six airbags, air-conditioning, trip computer, engine immobiliser, remote central locking, refrigerated storage compartment and anti-lock brakes.

The Privilege adds alloy wheels, leather steering wheel, front armrests, a CD player and climate control air-conditioning. Three versions of the Scenic will be offered, kicking off with the 1.6-litre Expression for $25,878, while the 2.0-litre Dynamic and Prestige will retail for $27,878 and $29,499 respectively.

Standard equipment across the range includes four airbags, air-conditioning, remote central locking and anti-lock brakes. Extras in the Dynamic include alloy wheels, a CD player and climate control air-conditioning, while the Privilege adds leather trim and a rear sunshade. Automatic transmission is a $2000 option.

The Clio, powered by a 124kW 2.0-litre engine, will retail for $30,990, $1000 more than its closest competitor, the Peugeot 206 GTi.

It will include remote central locking, engine immobiliser, trip computer, drilled metal pedals, front foglamps, alloy wheels, air-conditioning, anti-lock brakes, single CD player, leather steering wheel and trimmed sports seats.

The Megane Cabrio will retail for $39,995, around $10,000 less than four-seat convertible opposition from Peugeot and Volkswagen. However it is only powered by a 1.6-litre, 80kW engine. A 2.0-litre engine is expected before the end of the year and will retail for less than $45,000.

The Laguna II V6 will retail for under $50,000, according to Renault Australia, with an impressive list of safety equipment. It will go on sale mid-year with the 2.0-litre to arrive late in 2001.

Renault range pricing: Scenic Expression 1.6 $25,878 Dynamic 2.0 $27,878 Prestige 2.0 $29,499 Scenic RX4 Expression $31,150 Prestige $33,250 Megane Cabriolet $39,995 Clio Renault Sport $30,990 Automatic option: $2000 (Except Clio Renault Sport which comes only with a five-speed manual gearbox)