press release - media.renault.com

PRESS RELEASE
June 28, 2010
RENAULT WIND A COMPACT, INVENTIVE,
FUN TO DRIVE COUPE-ROADSTER
Renault Wind and its unique, electric, rotating-roof concept bring a breath of fresh air to the world of
open-top motoring.
“Renault Wind 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 Wind is an ingenious illustration of Renault’s new brand signature, ‘Drive the
Change’”
Renault Wind targets customers looking for a compact everyday car and, as a two-seat coupé-roadster
with a length of 3.83 meters, 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, Renault Wind boasts
unprecedented versatility: in the lowered position, the roof panel rests above the boot, meaning that boot
volume is always 270 dm3 VDA, whether the roof is up or down.
Renault Wind 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 Renault Wind has benefited extensively from the expertise of R.S.T’s engineers.
The new coupé-roadster is built on the same platform as Clio 2 R.S., and its chassis is perfectly suited
to the power outputs of the two engines that are available for the car, the TCe 100 and the 1.6 16V 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 coupé-roadster, allowing Renault Wind owners to profit from an outstanding
ride plus very low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Renault Wind 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.
Renault Wind will go on sale in July 2010 in the United Kingdom and Slovenia, and from September in its
other western European markets.
OPEN AND PLAY
01
05
A NEW, FUN TO DRIVE ADDITION TO THE RENAULT RANGE
SAFETY
02
06
UNIQUE STYLING
ACCESS TO A WORLD OF PLEASURE
03
07
A REVOLUTIONARY ROOF
QUALITY AND PRODUCTION
04
08
RENAULT SPORT TECHNOLOGIES’ EXPERTISE FOR
GREATER DRIVING PLEASURE
INTERVIEW WITH BEATRICE FOUCHER-SYBORD
(PRODUCT DIRECTOR)
01
A NEW, FUN TO DRIVE ADDITION TO THE
RENAULT RANGE
Renault Wind's length of 3.83 meters sees the newcomer slot between Twingo (3,60 m) and Clio (4,03 m),
and marks the addition to the Renault range of a new, compact, coupé-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 wind-in-thehair motoring should be the exclusive reserve of the 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 coupés and roadsters and looking for eye-catching looks, as well as a model that is
sufficiently practical to serve as an everyday car.
RENAULT WIND: A COUPÉ-ROADSTER
To meet this demand, it was necessary to produce a coupé-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-inhand with the sense of true freedom:
• a clever, robust, easy-to-use roof-opening mechanism that delivers
genuine wind-in-the-hair 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.
02
UNIQUE STYLING
Renault Wind’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 chief factor in
the purchase decision. Therefore, to appeal to its market, Renault
Wind’s design needed to be both dynamic and robust, as well as unmistakably modern.
Seen from the side, Renault Wind's sporty, robust lines, steeply-raked
bonnet, high waistline, extensively sculpted flanks and integral roll hoop
immediately strike 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.
Renault Wind is available in Glacier White (a non-metallic varnished finish), as well as Majorelle Blue, Dyna Red, Altica Grey and Pearlescent
Black (varnished metallics).
INTERIOR DESIGN: A GENUINE COCKPIT
There is an unmistakable ‘cockpit’ feel about Renault Wind'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 Renault Wind’s unique coupé-roadster appeal and
irresistibly tempt you to open the roof and head off for the country!
Not only are the seats and integrated head rests comfortable but
they also provide substantial side support.
When fitted, the ‘Dark Charcoal’ or ‘Camel’ leather-upholstered
seats are heated.
03
A REVOLUTIONARY ROOF
When it comes to convertible car technology, Renault Wind’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 – A CLASS BEST!
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's structural rigidity.
BOOT SPACE ON A PAR WITH CLIO
Whether the top is up or down, the same generous, easily accessible
270 dm3 VDA of boot space means that Renault Wind 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.
04
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 Renault Wind 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 benefited fully from the company's very best
skills. The new coupé-roadster capitalises on the strengths of the Clio 2 R.S. platform which is perfectly
suited to the power outputs of the two engines available for Renault Wind, namely the TCe 100 and the 1.6
16V 133hp. The know-how of R.S.T’s engineers enabled them to achieve the best weight/body rigidity ratio
for a coupé-roadster, allowing Renault Wind owners to profit from an enjoyable ride combined with low fuel
consumption and CO2 emissions.
AN EFFICIENT, REASSURING CHASSIS
Renault Wind benefits from an exemplary chassis :
• The front suspension features a MacPherson-type arrangement incorporating an aluminium lower arm (Cobapress® process) to minimize
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 verticallymounted dampers and variable-rate coil springs. The 24mm-daimeter
rear anti-roll bar ensures the optimum compromise between
performance and ride comfort, while anti-roll performance has been
balanced to optimize the work of the rear suspension and profit fully
from the dynamic potential of the chassis.
Renault Wind sits on 16- or 17-inch Speedline wheels fitted with either
Bridgestone (195/45 R16) or Continental (205/40 R17) tyres.
Renault Wind’s electric power steering is calibrated to deliver precise,
responsive performance. The steering ratio is 16.5, which is the same
as that of Clio 3 R.S.
WEIGHT OPTIMIZED FOR MAXIMUM STRUCTURAL RIGIDITY
TCe 100
Minimizing weight is the single most important factor when it comes to
optimizing 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 (9000Nm/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 to claim a best-in-class weight-tostructural rigidity ratio.
Meanwhile, the low weight of the rotating roof (21.8kg) allows the TCe
100 and 1.6 16V 133 versions of Wind to tip the scales at just 1,131kg
and 1,173kg respectively.
TWO PLEASANT, FUN-TO-DRIVE ENGINES
The 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 powerplant. 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 (74kW) at 5,500rpm, while
peak torque is 152Nm (3,500rpm).
The combination of the 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 a '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 TCe 100 engine’s smaller cubic capacity and the
technology it employs maximizes driving pleasure, yet its combined
cycle fuel consumption stands at only 6.3 litres/100km (equivalent to
145g of CO2/km). Renault Wind TCe 100 accelerates from standstill to
100kph in just 10.5 seconds.
1.6 16V 133hp: a flexible, normally-aspirated engine with bags of
character…
Renault Wind is alternatively available with the Renault Sport
Technologies-developed 1.6 16V normally-aspirated powerplant, the
specially-tuned pitch of which serves as an immediate pointer to its
fiery character.
This flexible, high-revving, normally-aspirated 1.6 16V engine produces
133hp (98kW) at 6,750rpm and 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, Renault Wind delivers plenty of
punch 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. Renault Wind 1.6 16V accelerates from standstill to
100kph is just 9.2 seconds and boasts a top speed of 201kph, yet fuel
consumption has been contained at 7 litres/100km (equivalent to CO2
emissions of 165g/km).
1.6 16v 133hp
05
SAFETY
Safety is a strategic priority for Renault which builds on the results of work carried out by LAB(1) and from
its own engineering expertise to develop the most effective safety systems for real world driving situations.
Renault Wind benefits fully from Renault’s savoir-faire in the fields of both active and passive safety.
ACTIVE SAFETY
PASSIVE 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 with speed limiter.
Renault 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 a rollover.
The deformable steering wheel, retractable steering column and extensive padding help prevent traumatic injuries in a major head-on impact.
POWERFUL, DURABLE STOPPING POWER
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.
Renault Wind 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.
breaking distance:
• 50 km/h to 0: 10.5m
• 100 km/h to 0: 39m
• 130 km/h to 0: 65m
(1)
LAB: the Accident Analysis, Biomechanics and Human Behaviour Laboratory of PSA
Peugeot-Citroën and Renault .
06
ACCESS TO A WORLD OF PLEASURE
USEFUL TECHNOLOGY
Plug & Music connectivity permits occupants to plug digital devices
such as iPod®, iPhone®, USB keys and other USB-compatible MP3
players into Renault Wind'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 Renault Wind's own loudspeakers. The system
automatically recognizes 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.
AN CLEAR, EXTENSIVELY-EQUIPPED STANDARD SPECIFICATION :
• Foglamps,
• Body-colour rear wing spoiler,
• Chrome exhaust tailpipe,
• Gloss black exterior door mirror housings,
• 16-inch Emotion aluminium alloy wheels with 195/45 R16 tyres,
• Electrically-controlled rotating roof,
• Door sill guards,
• Sports aluminium pedal set,
• Height-adjustable ‘W’AIR’ sports seats with integrated head rests,
• Leather-trimmed, height-adjustable sports steering wheel,
• Leather-trimmed gear lever knob,
• Black translucent instrument panel cowl,
• Variable-rate electric power steering,
• ABS with electronic brake force distribution,
• Emergency brake assist,
• Front and head/thorax lateral airbags,
• Cruise control with speed limiter,
• Trip computer,
• Remote central locking,
• Deadlocking,
• Electrically operated and heated door mirrors,
• Heated rear window,
• Electric windows (with one-touch drop function),
• Manual air conditioning,
• 2x20W radio, single CD player with MP3 playback, a separate
display, steering column-mounted fingertip remote control and RCA
connectivity.
AVAILABLE DEPENDING ON MARKET:
• Climate Control Pack (automatic climate control with rain sensor,
automatic headlamp activation and ‘see-you-home’ lights),
• ESC,
• Plug & Music connectivity (USB, jack, audio streaming),
• 2x35W radio, single CD player with MP3 playback, and Bluetooth®
connectivity,
• 17-inch black diamond effect ‘Sphinx’ aluminium alloy wheels with
205/40 R17 tyres,
AVAILABLE AS ACCESSORIES:
• TomTom XL Live,
• Rear parking proximity sensor (with four sensors).
• Foglamp surrounds,
• Chrome roof-cover cowls,
• Rear diffuser incorporating chrome twin exhaust
tailpipes,
• Alarm,
• Sports gear lever knob,
• ‘Expression’ fabric mat,
• Rubber mat.
• Leather Pack (Dark Charcoal or Camel leather upholstery, heated
seats and Dark Charcoal door pulls),
• Gloss black roof,
• Look Pack (chrome door mirror housings, chrome roof-cover cowls,
gunmetal grey grille trim, red translucent instrument panel cowl, redbraided carpet mat, red and black door pulls),
• Rear parking proximity sensor (with four sensors).
07
QUALITY AND PRODUCTION
Renault Wind is manufactured at the Novo mesto plant in Slovenia on the same line as Twingo and Clio 2.
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.
MANUFACTURED ON THE SAME LINE AS TWINGO AND CLIO2
The Novo mesto factory has enjoyed ISO 14001 certification since 1999
(renewed in 2002, 2005 and 2008). This certification, which is awarded by the independent International Organization for Standardization
(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 on the same assembly line as Clio 2 and Twingo
enables the plant’s capacity to be optimized. 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 (TCe 100 and 1.6 16V 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.
08
INTERVIEW WITH BEATRICE
FOUCHER-SYBORD (PRODUCT MANAGER)
and sporting cars to five-door coupés and 4x4s, so we wanted our customers to enjoy a comparable choice when it comes to smaller cars, an
area in which Renault is a particularly legitimate player.. At the same
time, we expect it to make a positive contribution to forging a younger,
more dynamic brand image for Renault. It is a car that will stand out in
the street.
What are Renault's objectives for this market?
B. F-S.: Wind is clearly aimed at winning over new customers. It will
enable us to reach out to motorists with high aspirations who currently
don’t naturally feel drawn to our brand. We want Wind to carve out a
significant place in the small, fun to drive car market.
Is Wind a coupé or a roadster?
Béatrice Foucher-Sybord: Because of its lines which suggest forward
movement, Wind is a coupé. However, it is a two-seater car with a
sporty cockpit that enables owners to enjoy the pleasure of open-top
motoring, so that makes it a roadster, too. You could say that Wind has
created its own category. On top of that, this new concept features new,
useful, innovative technology in the form of a clever, fast and easy to use
rotating roof-opening mechanism which fits perfectly with the Renault
spirit.
What is the market for this type of car?
B. F-S.: The annual small B-segment convertible market represents approximately 100,000 cars in Europe, although it is prone to strong fluctuation
depending on the economic situation and the products that are available.
Annual sales can be as low as 75,000 cars in poor years, but can reach as
high as 140,000 or 150,000 cars in its more successful years, when
carmakers bring out new, attractive models.
Renault is principally known for its family cars. What prompted
you to join this market?
B. F-S.: Studies showed that there was a market for a small, fun to drive
car, so long as it didn’t cost a small fortune. Motorists have long been
able to choose from a variety of high-end models, ranging from SUVs
AS A COMBINATION OF A COUPÉ AND A ROADSTER, Wind is a fun to drive car with sporty lines which is both
affordable and perfectly suited to everyday motoring. It broadens Renault’s B-segment line-up with a model
that has no real equivalent in the marketplace.
WIND IS A CONVERTIBLE THAT DELIVERS THE THRILLS ASSOCIATED WITH A ROADSTER, but without the
inconvenience of having only a token boot. The capacity of Wind’s boot is 270 dm3 (VDA) which is on a par
with that of a Clio.
WIND IS EQUIPPED WITH AN INNOVATIVE, ELECTRICALLY-POWERED ROTATING ROOF that opens and closes in a
record 12 seconds. When lowered, the roof is housed beneath a cleverly-designed, patented cover.
WIND’S OUTSTANDING DYNAMICS WERE DEVELOPED BY RENAULT SPORT TECHNOLOGIES to deliver real
driving enjoyment.
Technical Specifications of Renault Wind can be downloaded from www.media.renault.com
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