NCAPacitated

Posted by Car Magazine MotorPlay under Renault

This whole NCAP story is starting to look like a joke. I apologise to all the people who own a Renault for saying this in relation to the new Megane, but I assure them it’s got nothing to do with the car or the brand.

The new Renault Megane received, obviously, 5 stars in the NCAP tests, and I’m sure it’s a very safe car. Maybe even the safest, as the numbers show it (37 points out of 37). But the thing is, the stars are no longer enough to separate between the cars, because more and more get the full five stars. So now the focus switches on the points. Well, it seems Renault were the first to top that as well, so I’m sure others will follow. What’s next?

I’ll tell you what - nobody will give a damn about Euro NCAP anymore. It’s time for a change.

The Uban Adventurer

Posted by Car Magazine MotorPlay under Renault

Have you ever heard the term “urban adventurer” before? No, it’s not Indiana Jones passing through a city or moving into the suburbs. It’s a new car from Renault, and the Frenchies think that this describes it best. Why? Because it’s small and nimble, although it actually isn’t, and because it offers open-air driving for the passengers on the back seat. If you ask me, though, I think they call it that because it sounds good and because “Urban cruiser” was already taken by Toyota.

The Renault Kangoo be bop is another utility vehicle turned into a recreational one. This one has (only) four seats and no matter how much I tried I couldn’t figure out how anybody can reach the two back seats. Arguably the only nice part about it is the rear end, where a glazed sliding roof and a tailgate window that also slides out of view leave the back of the car exposed. Why would you want to do that in a tall and odd looking car is beyond me, but I’m neither French nor Indiana Jones, so what do I know?

Twingo RenaultSport 133

Posted by Car Magazine MotorPlay under Renault

The guys at Renault have promised since the beginning a sporty version of the new Twingo, and now they have delivered. It’s called 133 and I’ll leave you to guess what that stands for. I’ll only say it’s got nothing to do with the age of the great grandmother of the guy who made it nor with the number of girls he has slept with.

It’s got a 1.6 litre non-turbo engine with 133bhp, which should be more than enough for such a small car to deliver thrilling sensations. Of course, it depends on how many elephants you squeeze in, yourself included. The car comes with RenaultSport seats which won’t let you bang your head to the side of the car, leather steering wheel and aluminium pedals.

The best part is that if you get out of your pyjamas and head to a Renault Dealer quickly enough and place an order for this car during the first 133 days since ordering had started, you’ll get a voucher for a free place on a RenaultSport trackday in 2009 complete with driver tuition. Just so you don’t spoil such a nice car with your over-zealous driving.