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01/07/2010

RENAULT?S WIND ROADSTER - A COMPACT, INVENTIVE, FUN- TO-DRIVE COUPE-ROADSTER

Wind Roadster extends the brand?s range with a new model wholly dedicated to the pleasure of its occupants inviting them to enjoy an alternative way of driving. Through its concept and the technology it employs, Renault?s Wind Roadster is an ingenious illustration of the company?s new brand signature, 'Drive the Change'.

Wind Roadster targets customers looking for a compact everyday car and, as a two-seat coup?-roadster with a length of 3.83 metres, it slots into the Renault range between Twingo and Clio. Thanks to its ingenious, electrically-operated roof system, which pivots open in just 12 seconds, Wind Roadster boasts unprecedented versatility: in the lowered position, the roof panel rests above the boot, meaning that boot volume is always 270dm3 VDA, whether the roof is up or down.

Wind Roadster has head-turning looks. Its blue-tinged gaze, muscular profile and rear-end forms, give it an emphatically modern profile. Unique styling details include the roof-cover cowls, chrome exterior door mirror housings and badging on the side which recalls the rotational movement of the roof-opening mechanism.

Meanwhile, there is an unmistakable 'cockpit' feel about the interior. The instruments are reminiscent of the world of motorbikes, the sport seats feature integrated head rests, while the low-set driving position and sporty layout of the controls are typical of roadsters.

The expertise of Renault Sport Technologies (R.S.T) in the realm of motoring enjoyment needs no introduction, and Wind Roadster has benefited extensively from the expertise of R.S.T's engineers.

The new coup?-roadster is built on the same platform as Clio II Renaultsport, and its chassis is perfectly suited to the power outputs of the two engines that are available for the car, the 1.2 TCe 100 and the 1.6 VVT 133hp. One of the chief accomplishments of R.S.T's engineers is the fact that they have achieved the best weight to body-rigidity ratio for a coup?-roadster, allowing Wind Roadster owners to profit from an outstanding ride plus very low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Wind Roadster takes full advantage of Renault's expertise in the fields of active and passive safety too, while the excellence of its chassis and its powerful brakes ensure exceptionally reassuring handling.

Wind Roadster goes on sale from July 2010 in the UK and Slovenia, and from September in other western European markets.

A NEW, FUN TO DRIVE ADDITION TO THE RENAULT RANGE
Wind Roadster's length of 3.83 metres sees the newcomer slot between Twingo (3.60m) and Clio (4.03m), and marks the addition to the Renault range of a new, compact, coup?-roadster concept that is ideally suited to everyday motoring.

For who? And in response to what demand?
Renault sees no reason why the freedom associated with open-air motoring should be the exclusive reserve of higher-end segments. On the contrary, there is an unmet demand in Europe for a small convertible that can serve as an everyday car, either for the driver alone or for a couple without children. Such customers are quite young (or young at heart!), attracted by the sporty cues of coup?s and roadsters and looking for eye-catching looks, as well as a model that is sufficiently practical to serve as an everyday car.

A coup?-roadster
To meet this demand, it was necessary to produce a coup?-roadster with a unique, striking design and sporty looks, but without making any concessions with regard to the features that are seen to go hand-in-hand with the sense of true freedom:

  • a clever, robust, easy-to-use roof-opening mechanism that delivers genuine open-air thrills,

  • an exceptionally practical car, with consistent boot space whether the top is up or down,

  • compact dimensions and nimble handling ideally suited to driving in and around town,

  • fun, punchy dynamics combined with low fuel consumption,

  • a low-set driving position and a sporty layout for the controls,

  • an outstanding equipment and specification package for its price.

UNIQUE STYLING
Wind Roadster's design is striking. Its blue-tinged gaze, muscular profile and rear-end forms give it an emphatically modern stance.

Head-turning looks
When it comes to this type of car, exterior styling is the key factor in the purchase decision. Therefore, to appeal to its market, Wind Roadster's design needed to be both dynamic and robust, as well as unmistakably modern.

Seen from the side, Wind Roadster's sporty, robust lines, steeply-raked bonnet, high waistline, extensively sculpted flanks and integral roll hoop immediately catch the eye. The two roof-cover cowls located in the slipstream of the head rests are distinctive roadster features and form a natural link between the interior and exterior. Work on the windscreen header-rail, which sits in a far more forward position than that of rival convertibles, heightens the pleasure associated with open-top motoring and further underpins Wind's roadster credentials.

The rear end incorporates a distinctive wing which forms part of the boot lid, while the boomerang-shaped rear lights provide a readily identifiable lighting signature.

Wind Roadster is available in Glacier White (non-metallic), as well as metallic Azzurro Blue, Ruby Red, Mirage Grey and Pearl Black. The Collection limited edition is solely available in Glacier White and Pearl Black.

Interior design: a genuine cockpit
There is an unmistakable 'cockpit' feel about Wind Roadster's interior which has been designed to heighten the sense of motoring enjoyment through a host of sporty cues. These include sport seats with integrated head rests, full instrumentation set in profiled tunnels and a translucent instrument panel cowl (red or black) that recalls the world of motorbikes.

The dark charcoal ambiance is set off by the door pulls, aluminium pedal covers, sports steering wheel and a range of satin-finish chrome details that highlight Wind Roadster's unique coup?-roadster appeal and irresistibly tempt you to open the roof and head off for the country!

A REVOLUTIONARY ROOF
When it comes to convertible car technology, Wind Roadster?s roof breaks new ground.

Owners of soft top cars are often anxious when their vehicle is parked outside, while folding hard tops can take up a disproportionate amount of boot space when lowered and are frequently restricted to larger cars. As a fast, easy and reliable means of lowering and raising the roof, and to avoid encroaching on valuable boot space when the top is down, a rotating mechanism stood out as the best solution.

Just 12 seconds to lower the top ? best-in-class
After pulling on a handle to release the roof lock, the driver simply has to press on the electric switch for the roof to pivot round its axis between the quarter panels before silently coming to rest on top of the boot covered by an additional panel.

An audible warning and a message on the trip computer inform the driver once the operation has been completed. In addition to being a quick way to lower or raise the top, this ingenious rotating system employs very few parts, which further contributes to its reliability.

The combined weight of the roof and its kinematics is a mere 21.8kg, which is a fifth of that of a conventional hard top.

The interior of the roof is protected from dust and the elements in the 'open' position by a patented boot lid design, while the fixed rear window actively contributes to Wind Roadster's structural rigidity.

Boot space on a par with Clio
Whether the top is up or down, the same generous, easily accessible 270dm3 VDA of boot space means that Wind Roadster owners can travel with baggage, yet still enjoy al fresco motoring at will. Opening and shutting the boot requires no more effort than an ordinary saloon thanks to two gas struts.

RENAULT SPORT TECHNOLOGIES' EXPERTISE FOR GREATER DRIVING PLEASURE
The expertise of Renault Sport Technologies (R.S.T) when it comes to motoring enjoyment needs no introduction, and Wind Roadster has benefited extensively from the knowledge of R.S.T's engineers.

Staff at R.S.T's engineering headquarters in Les Ulis, near Paris, France, worked closely with teams from the nearby Technocentre in Guyancourt to ensure that Wind Roadster benefited fully from the company's very best skills.

The new coup?-roadster capitalises on the strengths of the Clio II Renaultsport platform which is perfectly suited to the power outputs of the two engines available for Wind Roadster, namely the 1.2 TCe 100 and the 1.6 VVT 133hp.
The know-how of R.S.T's engineers enabled them to achieve the best weight/body rigidity ratio for a coup?-roadster, allowing Wind Roadster owners to profit from an enjoyable driving experience combined with low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

An efficient, reassuring chassis
Wind Roadster benefits from an exemplary chassis:

  • The front suspension features a MacPherson-type arrangement incorporating an aluminium lower arm (Cobapress? process) to minimise weight. The use of damper pushrods enhances the efficiency of the 22mm-diameter anti-roll bar for outstanding body roll control.

  • The rear suspension is based on a programmed-deflection flexible H beam. For extra comfort and filtering performance, it has vertically-mounted dampers and variable-rate coil springs. The 22.5mm-diameter rear anti-roll bar ensures the optimum compromise between performance and ride comfort, while anti-roll performance has been balanced to optimise the work of the rear suspension and profit fully from the dynamic potential of the chassis.

Wind Roadster sits on 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels fitted with either Bridgestone (195/45 R16) or Continental (205/40 R17) tyres.

Its electric power steering is calibrated to deliver precise, responsive performance. The steering ratio is 16.5:1, which is the same as that of Clio Renaultsport 200.

Weight optimised for maximum structural rigidity
Minimising weight is the single most important factor when it comes to optimising performance. It also contributes to reducing fuel consumption, yet a high level of body rigidity is necessary to ensure faultless roadholding.

Consequently, the engineering teams paid careful attention to eliminate vibrations and achieve a high degree of body stiffness (8,500Nm/degree). To achieve this, they equipped the body with simple, innovative and effective additional bracing:

  • strengthening bars underneath the body and in the boot,

  • reinforced sills,

  • a full bulkhead between the cockpit and the boot,

The sum of this work enables Wind Roadster to claim a best-in-class weight-to-structural rigidity ratio.

Meanwhile, the low weight of the rotating roof (21.8kg) allows the 1.2 TCe 100 and 1.6 VVT 133 versions of Wind Roadster to tip the scales at just 1,131kg and 1,173kg respectively.

Two pleasant, fun-to-drive engines
The 1.2 TCe 100: flexible and responsive (TCe = Turbo Control Efficiency)?
In addition to returning the fuel consumption of an engine of its size, this feisty powerplant boasts the power output of a 1.4 and the torque of a 1.6-litre. It is equipped with a low inertia turbo which ensures minimal lag thanks to the fitment of a small-diameter turbine and compressor. Maximum power is 100hp at 5,500rpm, while peak torque is 152Nm (3,500rpm).

The combination of the 1.2 TCe 100's small cubic capacity and low inertia turbo ensures responsive pick-up from low revs, with peak torque available at very low engine speeds and across a broad rev-band. The turbocharger includes an 'over-boost' feature which temporarily increases power output and torque (by 5hp and 6Nm respectively) in second, third and fourth gears at engine speeds of more than 4,500rpm. For added character, as well as extra punch and response, the TCE 100 engine drives through a short-ratio five-speed manual gearbox (JH3).

The combination of the 1.2 TCe 100 engine's smaller cubic capacity and the technology it employs maximises driving pleasure, yet its combined cycle fuel consumption stands at only 44.8 mpg (equivalent to 145g of CO2/km). Wind Roadster 1.2 TCe 100 accelerates from rest to 62 mph in just 10.5 seconds.

1.6 VVT 133hp: a flexible, naturally-aspirated engine with bags of character?
Wind Roadster is also available with the Renault Sport Technologies-developed 1.6 16V naturally-aspirated powerplant, the specially-tuned pitch of which serves as an immediate pointer to its fiery character.

This flexible, high-revving, 1.6 VVT engine produces 133hp at 6,750rpm, with maximum torque of 160Nm at 4,400rpm. It revs swiftly and crisply all the way up to the red line which is set at 7,000rpm.

With this engine under the bonnet, Wind Roadster delivers plenty of thrills and driving pleasure at low and transient engine speeds up to 4,500rpm, although it truly come into its own when pushed beyond the 4,500rpm mark. The 1.6 VVT accelerates from zero to 62 mph in just 9.2 seconds and boasts a top speed of 125 mph, yet combined cycle fuel consumption has been contained at 40.3 mpg (equivalent to CO2 emissions of 165g/km).

SAFETY
Safety is a strategic priority for Renault which builds on the results of work carried out by LAB1 and from its own engineering expertise to develop the most effective safety systems for real world driving situations. Wind Roadster benefits fully from the brand?s know-how in the fields of both active and passive safety.

Active safety
A long list of driver aids and equipment is available to assist the driver:

  • ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution

  • Emergency brake assist

  • ESC with understeer control

  • Driver's seat belt warning light

  • Automatic headlamp activation

  • Automatic windscreen-wiper activation

  • Cruise control

  • Speed limiter

Durable stopping power
Wind Roadster benefits from Renault Sport's braking expertise to deliver powerful, durable stopping power combined with a reassuringly progressive pedal feel. Braking is provided by 280mm-diameter ventilated discs and 57mm-diameter callipers at the front, and 240mm-diameter discs with 34mm-diameter callipers at the rear.

Passive safety
Wind's reinforced body structure notably features steel bars and tubing for the underbody and boot.

Patented, innovative door bracing protects the survival cell in the case of a head-on or side-on impact.

The fixed rollover hoop incorporates the rear window and protects occupants in the event of a rollover. The deformable steering wheel, retractable steering column and extensive padding help prevent traumatic injuries in a major head-on impact.

Safety performance is further enhanced by the third-generation Renault System for Restraint and Protection (SRP3) which takes into account impact force and the build of occupants thanks to the combined action of the following features:

  • seat belt pretensioners restrict forward movement of the body by holding the straps firmly across the thorax and lap,

  • impact energy is further absorbed by the front airbags,

  • head/thorax lateral airbags are incorporated in the seats

ACCESS TO A WORLD OF PLEASURE

Useful technology
Multi-functional TunePoint connectivity allows occupants to plug digital devices such as iPods?, iPhones?, USB keys and other USB-compatible MP3 players into Wind Roadster's own audio. This system enables occupants to enjoy music stored on a portable player and allows them to scroll through menus using the steering column-mounted or radio fascia controls. Directory, file and tune names are shown on the separate display.

The hands-free Bluetooth? telephony function enables drivers to make and take calls safely via Wind Roadster?s own loudspeakers. The system automatically recognises the telephone each time the car is started. An exclusive Renault function enables the driver to select an automatic ?hold? setting that puts callers on hold until he or she is in a situation where they can take an incoming call safely. The radio automatically mutes when an incoming or outgoing call is detected, while telephone functions can be controlled via the steering column-mounted fingertip controls, with messages shown on the separate display.

The Bluetooth? telephony function also incorporates audio streaming, enabling favourite music stored on an A2DP-compatible portable device to be played wirelessly through the car's loudspeakers.

A clear, extensively-equipped standard specification:

  • Front fog lights

  • Body-colour rear spoiler

  • Chrome exhaust tailpipe

  • Electrically adjustable and heated gloss black door mirrors

  • 16-inch aluminium alloy wheels with 195/45 R16 tyres

  • Electric rotating roof

  • Door sill guards

  • Sports aluminium pedal set

  • Height-adjustable sports seats with integrated head rests

  • Leather-trimmed, height-adjustable sports steering wheel

  • Leather-trimmed gear lever knob

  • Black translucent instrument panel cowl

  • ABS with electronic brake force distribution

  • Emergency brake assist

  • Front and head/thorax lateral airbags

  • Cruise control

  • Speed limiter

  • Trip computer

  • Remote central locking

  • Deadlocking

  • Heated rear window

  • Electric windows (with one-touch drop function)

  • Air conditioning

  • 2x20W radio single CD player with MP3 reader, aux input and fingertip remote control

Accessories:

  • Foglight surrounds

  • Chrome roof-cover cowls

  • Rear diffuser incorporating chrome twin exhaust tailpipes

  • Alarm

QUALITY AND PRODUCTION
Wind Roadster is manufactured at the Novo Mesto plant in Slovenia on the same line as Twingo. The Novo mesto factory benefits from ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification and employs the Renault Production Way (SPR) to guarantee a very high standard of Quality.

This factory has enjoyed ISO 14001 certification since 1999 (renewed in 2002, 2005 and 2008). This certification, which is awarded by the independent International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), testifies to the ongoing efforts made by a factory to reduce the environmental footprint of its activity. The Novo Mesto plant is one of the Renault group factories that make the smallest impact on the environment. In the space of 10 years, water consumption per car has been halved, while energy consumption has been cut by 40 per cent.

The production of Wind Roadster on the same assembly line as Twingo enables the plant's capacity to be optimised. It also enables production schedules to be adjusted as a function of the demand for the different models it manufactures.

The engines available for Wind Roadster (1.2 TCe 100 and 1.6 VVT 133) are made in Douvrin, France, and Valladolid, Spain, respectively.

Staff at R.S.T's engineering headquarters in Les Ulis, near Paris, worked closely with their colleagues at the Technocentre in Guyancourt, including the design team.

For further information and test drives, please contact the Platinum Renault Sales teams on 01225 485400 (Bath) or 01225 759525 (Trowbridge), or visit www.platinumrenault.co.uk

All information correct at time of published date. All information and/or offers are subject to amendment or withdrawal without notice.

  
  
  

  


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