Renault Car Reviews

Renault Cars

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. From the start, the brothers knew that publicity from racing victories was the key to their success and they were able to expand quickly. Renault also gained a reputation for being innovative launching the first production sedan car and patenting the first turbo charger. Marcel and Fernand died years prior and Louis lost possession of the company to the French government after being arrested for conspiring with the enemy after working for the Germans during World War II. It remained in the hands of the French government until it was privatised in 1996.Today Renault is known for safety and distinctive, even somewhat outlandish, design. It has the largest number of models achieving a 5 star rating in EuroNCAP crash tests. They are the fifth most popular carmaker in the UK and are the leading brand in Europe. Though Renault has had some tough years financially, their future projections show continued increase in sales reaching 4 million per year by 2010 together with their associated brands Dacia and Renault Samsung.

Renault Cars History and Background

Renault Cars

Renault is a French car manufacturer that produces a diverse range of products. The company produces a full spectrum of automobiles from cars to buses. The company has also been known to create their own designs and security technologies.

Renault has been producing cars since 1898. The three Renault brothers teamed up with a friend and started the original Renault Company known as Societe Renault Freres. One brother, Louis Renault was a talented engineer who already had experience in designing and building cars before he joined his brothers in the Renault venture.

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. Marcel Renault was killed in a racing accident in 1903, and another brother Fernand Renault was forced to retire for health reasons in 1906 and 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 for the war, the company also produced airplanes and tanks to help support the war effort. Renault soon became the leading manufacturer of airplane engines and was publicly honored 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 once again privatized 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. Some of Renault’s most popular current models include; the Renault Modus, Clio, Espace, Grand Scenic, and the Kangoo. Other popular models include the Renault Laguna, Megane, and the Scenic.

The Renault Modus is a mini 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. The Modus began production in 2004.

The Renault Clio is a supermini that has been produced in four generations. The Clio has been very successful since its initial launch in 1990. The Clio has been produced in three and five-door hatchback form and as a four-door sedan.

The Espace is a large MPV capable of seating seven passengers. The Espace is one of the original minivans. The large MPV comes in five-door form and was originally produced in 1984.

The Grand Scenic is a seven-seater with a long wheel-base. The Grand Scenic comes with two seats that can comfortably seat children in the rear compartment. The Grand Scenic was first produced in 2003.

The Kangoo is a van that was first produced in 1997.The rear seats can be removed in order to optimize the cars cargo carrying capacity. The Kangoo comes with a range of engine options. The Kangoo replaced the Renault Combi.

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 1994 and comes either as a hatchback or in estate form.

The Renault Megane is a small family car. The Megane is offered in a variety of body styles; three and five-door hatchback, sedan, coupe, convertible, and station wagon form. The Megane was first produced in 1995.

The Renault Scenic is a compact MPV. The Megane has been produced in two generations and replaced the Renault 19. The Megane comes with a choice of either a four-cylinder engine or a six cylinder engine. Production of the Megane began in 1995.