Renault completing range overhaul within five years
Renault says that it plans to completely renew its passenger car line-up within the next five years, some models being axed, some seeing a radical change in their concept but all of them will be adopting a new corporate identity.
The Renault Clio IV was the first production model that showcased the new design language introduced by Laurens van den Acker – former Mazda design boss – with the Captur sub-compact SUV following it very recently this week at its official international launch.
According to executives talking at the Captur event, next year will see both the Twingo and the Espace switch to new generations as the next models fall into line with the new corporate face of the Clio and Captur.
At the same time, next year will the the ‘corporate face’ being applied onto the current generation Megane, which in 2015 will switch to an all-new generation.
As we mentioned earlier some models will be disappearing, and this will be the case of the European-based Laguna and South Korean-made Latitude sedans which will merge into one single model.
The range renewal will be completed with Koleos and quite possibly a reborn Vel Satis luxury car.
It was also confirmed that the next Espace people mover will become more like a ‘crossover’ model, in the style of a high-riding four-wheel-drive but most likely without the expensive and heavy all-wheel-drive components.
The Twingo will also essentially twin with the Smart Fortwo and while a short wheelbase two-seater and longer wheelbase four-door were confirmed, however nobody committed to both bodystyles for the Twingo.
Once the regular Renault model range is overhauled, 2016 is expected to be the long-awaited return of the Alpine sports car. No details are known about the revived model line, but what it is known is that they wish to pay homage to the Alpine models of the past while still being relevant on today’s market.
