Newsletter # 10 01 June 2010

RENAULT Sport & A lpine EXPO

Brisbane – 9 July to 18 July 2010
What’s it all about? If you missed the earlier RSAE Newsletters and are wondering what
the RSAE is all about, please read pages 8 & 9.
Something Old - Renault NN Torpedo 1925-28

Something very new!

Megane RenaultSPORT 250
Sorry, you’re going to have to wait until Newsletter #11 to find out more about the fabulous new
Megane RENAULTSport 250, but in this issue, we will cover something of earlier Megane RS
models:

Renault Sport Megane 225

The Megane RENAULTSport 225 was released France in 2004 and soon after in Australia. It was seen
as the logical ‘big brother’ to the enormously successful Clio RENAULTSport. The initial press reviews
were favourable as recorded below:

‘Megane RS a real alternative to Subaru’s Rex’ …..’Over 150km of some of Tasmania’s demanding and twisty
country roads last week the French suppleness of the standard Megane was not lost to the performance demands of
the RS. With the electric variable power steering tuned for feedback and pin-point accuracy the RS could be pointed
into a corner with impressive accuracy….The real meat on the bone is the car’s engine, suspension and handling. All
combine to deliver an impressive all-round high performance tourer’ The Australian –
22 September 2004.

‘So what does this upstart French car bring to the performance table that makes it so threatening? Both it and the Rex
are 2.0 litre turbos that are almost lineball in their power to weight ratios,
but have distinctive characters and adopt different methods to put the
power down. Subaru’s all-paw action is a given and the racing style seats
give it a distinctly racy air, while the front RS is very much a refined
high-speed tourer. It may not boast all-wheel drive like the WRX, but the
Renault has the ability to become as much a household name as the
venerable Rex. In performance and dynamics, it shines. It is quite
capable of handling all that power through its front wheels too, thanks to
the well-sorted stability control systems. It’s deceptively quick, with a
zero to
100km/h time of 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 236km/h. The
Australian – 02 February 2005.
Local magazine such as MOTOR and WHEELS also had many nice things to say about the Megane
RENAULTSport 225, but they qualified their praise with a few negative comments about lack of feel in the
steering and a stability control system which they considered to be un-necessarily intrusive. Some
overseas magazines were also mildly critical of those matters.
As is invariably the case, RENAULTSport was listening and was already ‘on the case’! By mid 2005, they
released a modified version called the ’Cup’ and ‘Trophy’, which not only fixed things which had been
criticised but also enhanced the many good points as well!
Renault Sport Megane 225 ‘Trophy’ and ‘Cup’

The Renault Sport Mégane 225 had an even more sporting chassis. This sports chassis was initially
introduced in an exclusively designed “Trophy” limited edition, but became virtually standard thereafter.
Unveiled at the 2005 Geneva Show, Mégane Trophy limited edition went on sale in France on March 7,
2005, priced at €30,900.
This model answered the criticism from a small number of press reviewers, who thought that the existing
Renault Sport Mégane 225 was too ‘soft’! The new version had some unique components and settings.
Revised suspension settings provided lower roll angles (-10%), less pitching during acceleration and less
nosedive under braking. These developments also benefited traction and cornering potential thanks to a
front suspension with sharper ‘turn in’. Understeer was almost eliminated in all circumstances.
The front spring rate was increased by 25% to 42 N/mm and the diameter of the anti-roll bar was slightly
reduced. For the rear suspension, the spring rate was increased by 77% to 44 N/mm. The driver aid
systems benefited from recalibration and the ESP system could now be completely turned off. However,
the system will still intervene should the car wander under heavy braking.
The front and rear Brembo disc brakes were drilled to provide better cooling, optimum operation in wet
conditions and a reduction in unsprung mass. Considerable work went into improving the immediacy and
rate of response to brake pedal movement. The diameter of the master cylinder was increased from
23.8mm to 25.4mm, resulting in better pedal feel. The EBA system was deleted to allow drivers to make
the most of the vehicle’s tremendous braking potential. The new heavily perforated 18-inch wheels
provided a saving of 1.5kg per wheel in unsprung mass. The 235/40 R18 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres
used a special silicon-based tread compound, with a special breaker band to improve high speed stability.
The Renault Sport Mégane 225, along with the entire Mégane range, used a new electric power assisted
steering system. A splined “tube-in-tube” sliding joint connected the two sections of the steering column,
replacing the flexible joint previously used, resulting in more positive feel around the steering centre-point.
The cabins used new upholstery and carbon-fibre finish on some items. In addition to standard equipment,
the Trophy limited edition had a fascia mounted six-stacker CD player.
As in the Mégane Renault Sport, the Trophy limited edition used the F4Rt 2.0 16v turbo engine jointly
developed by Renault’s Powertrain Engineering Department and Renault Sport Technologies. This engine
developed a very honest 225hp (165kW) at 5,500rpm and torque of 300Nm (30.6 mkg) at 3,000rpm. At
least 90% of this torque was available from 2,000 to 6,000rpm. The engine was teamed with a 6-speed
manual gearbox.
In 2004, the Renault Sport Mégane 225 achieved sales of 5,200 units, with 7,700 Clio Renault Sport 2.0
and 350 Clio V6 being sold in during the year. Although this volume may sound small against the total of
2.5 million cars produced directly by Renault and total of 5.8 million produced by Renault Group, this was
an impressive tally for a specialist manufacturer such as Renault Sport.
The press were most impressed!
‘The Megane at long last offers a chassis that can channel the unchanged 165Kw/300Nm engine’
MOTOR – December 2005

‘Belt the Megane down a favourite road, however, and even the superb Golf seems clinically efficient. By any
measure of grin-factor the Megane scores heavily, combining VXR/MPS levels of acceleration with almost complete
lack of torque steer that surely embarrasses Mazda and Opel engineers. No other engine is as responsive or willing or
characterful, the recent chassis revisions ensuring that the power is not only accessible but can be applied clipping an
apex where caution would dictate backing off in a VXR or MPS. The subtlety of adjustability, way beyond the talents
of the brutish twosome, allows the driver to tuck-in to the nearest millimetre. Squeeze hard on the throttle or back off
momentarily, it complies precisely. None of these rivals feel as agile or alive …….leaves the Renault as the
emotional choice’
Wheels – March 2007

Megane RenaultSPORT dCi 175 in action!

But things only got better and better, with the Megane F1, then the F1 R26, with its limited slip differential:

‘How a hot hatch goes, handles, steers and stops are the priorities. The Renault Megane Turbo does it all with ease.
Its limits are higher than the others because its engineering is superior. It has an almost animate enthusiasm for
attacking corners, yet is always controllable and forgiving. It knows its capabilities are beyond most, but exploring
them is addictive. The price is high, but it is a bargain for a performance car.’
Sydney Morning Herald – 14 July 2006
‘The Renault has undoubtedly dominated the tests’
EVO Magazine – March 2007
In that issue, EVO ran the R26 against a VW Golf GTi, Ford Focus ST, Vauxhall Astra VXR, Honda Civic
Type-R, and SEAT Leon FR around Millbrook Proving Ground for timed laps. The track was wet, but
progressively drying. The R26 ran first, so endured the worst conditions. Lap times were:
Lap Time – ESC on Lap Time – ESC off Cornering - g
Megane 1m 36.05s 1m 36.15s 0.78
Astra 1m 38.25s 1m 40.65s 0.71
Leon 1m 40.00s 1m 41.35s 0.71
Golf 1m 41.00s 1m 41.45s 0.70
Civic 1m 41.45s 1m 42.10s 0.69
Focus 1m 42.15s 1m 43.30s 0.70

The Megane RenaultSPORT R26 certainly lifted standards. It was seconds faster around the average
circuit than the supposed hot hatch benchmark, the Golf GTI, while still providing a better and more
civilised ride and road behavior. Also, although not released in Australia, was the Megane RenaultSPORT
R26R, a lightened and more competition focused version of the R26. The R26R won plaudits from the
motoring press overseas. It was called the best hot hatch ever, one of ten best driver’s cars ever and much
more. In EVO Magazine’s articles on ‘The 100 GREATEST DRIVERS’ CARS’, the R26R was ranked fifth,
behind the Pagani Zonda F, Lotus 340R, Porsche 996 GT3 and the Caterham Superlight R300, but ahead
of the McLaren F1, Bugatti Veyron, all BMWs, all Ferraris, all Lamborghinis, all Mercedes, all Audis, all
Jaguars, all Aston Martins etc. There were six Renaults listed and most of them up towards the top!
It was considered to be the benchmark against which other production hot hatches were measured, and
most did not even come close.
Also the R26R set the record of 8min 17sec for front wheel drive cars around Nuremburg circuit, far faster
than many big names and big egos!
RenaultSPORT also produced the Megane dCi 175. The dCi 175 has been widely acclaimed as the best
sporting diesel car available. While slightly less quick in a straight line, the dCi 175 lacks none of the other
RenaultSPORT Meganes’ handling ability and poise. Also, it possesses tremendous mid-range punch
resulting in performance which is almost as quick ‘point to point’ as its petrol engined brothers! All this
performance and driving pleasure with 6.3 l/100km economy as well - what a car!
So, we find the RenaultSport Meganes, like the RenaultSPORT Clios are:

the best affordable sporting cars in the world!

 RenaultSPORT Megane R26R

Turkish Formula 1 Grand Prix

By now, most of you know the results from the Turkish F 1 Grand Prix. Kubica finish in sixth place, after
being bottled up behind the Mercedes of Schumacher and Rosberg. Petrov slipped to fifteenth after
suffering a puncture late in the race.
Although some interpretation is needed, it is illuminating to look at the fastest laps and top speeds of the
cars in the table below. Now, if only Kubica and Petrov could qualify a bit further up on the grid……..
Roll on Canada!!

POS DRIVER TEAM TIME SPEED BEST

1 L. HAMILTON McLaren 1:28:47.620 321.4 1:30.075
2 J. BUTTON McLaren +2.645 312.7 1:29.895
3 M. WEBBER Red Bull Racing +24.285 311.2 1:29.195
6 R. KUBICA Renault F1 Team +32.824 312.5 1:29.580
15 V. PETROV Renault F1 Team +1 LAP 310.9 1:29.165

Trouble with Zoé!

Zoé Renault, a Parisian student, is threatening to sue Renault over the name
used for the prototype of a new electric (ZE) city car called the Renault Zoe!!
Your Humble Scribe was unable to obtain a photo of Mme. Zoe Renault, but
the Renault Zoe’s photo appears on the right!
The era of the mass-produced automobile has not been kind to anyone bearing the name Mégane, Clio
or perhaps even Dyane. But spare a thought for a 23-year-old Paris woman who has reason to be
especially distraught by plans for a new electric car - her name is Zoé Renault.
Enraged by the French manufacturer's decision to use her identity for the latest in its long line of punchy
car names, the student – who has no apparent direct family link to the company – has contacted a
lawyer specialising in the protection of first names and is begging Renault to change its mind.
David Koubbi, who points out that there are about 30,000 people in France called Zoé, none of whom
are likely to enjoy sharing their name with an electric supermini, has written to Renault's chief
executive, Carlos Ghosn, insisting that the plans constitute an attack on the rights of his clients.
"You will easily understand that, having maturely reflected on the first name they wish to give their
child, parents cannot tolerate seeing this first name made commonplace and used for … marketing,"
Koubbi wrote.
Zoé Renault told Le Parisien that she did not want her identity to be reduced to the image of a car or to
be associated all her life with a vehicle. "It would be unbearable for me to hear 'the Zoé has broken
down', 'we have to get the Zoé overhauled' or 'so and so killed themselves in a Zoé,'" she said.
She is not the only one worried by the name. Many families are complaining about the plan and have
launched petitions to stop it.
One eight-year-old Zoé has
suggested the manufacturers
rearrange the letters to call
the car oZé, which sounds
like the French word osé,
meaning daring or risque.
A spokesman for Renault
said the company was
committed to the
"memorable" name, but that
it was the name of a concept
car and not a definitive
choice.

The Driving Centre at Norwell will host the RSAE Track Day on Monday 12 July.
RSAE Track Day on Monday 12 July.

The preliminary program for the day is:

8.00am - Arrive at Norwell, sign on and enjoy a cup of complimentary tea or coffee.

8.30am - Welcome by Renault Marketing Director, Sylvain Martin-Villa and others, plus briefing by Chief
Driving Instructor, Peter Bisley

9.00am - Form into groups to rotate at 45 min intervals around the following activities:

• Circuit training, with each group in a new Renault. Initially a Norwell Expert Instructor will
demonstrate safe and effective techniques applicable to both circuit and road driving. Each
member of the group will have the opportunity to drive around the circuit in a new Renault.

• ABS Brake and Steer, with each group again in new Renaults. Here you will learn the feel of ABS
in action and how to best use it to avoid accidents, both on the road and track. Each person will
have the opportunity to take the wheel of a new Renault for this segment!

• Skid Pan Competition: A circuit will be set out on the skidpan. Each participant will have the
chance to compete over three timed laps, driving a new RenaultSport Clio (probably). There will be
penalties levied for hitting the witch’s hats, but otherwise, the fastest time wins!!

• Small Track Exercise: Each participant will drive a new RenaultSport Clio (probably) for a timed
run around this tight track. That sounds easy? Well there are a couple of challenges – firstly, the
track is tighter than many go-kart tracks, and secondly, the Clio will have a wok mounted on the
bonnet, with a tennis ball inside. If the tennis ball comes out of the wok, you have to stop and put it
back in, all while the clock is still running! Smooth driving will win here!

• V8 Supercar Workshop Tour: The Norwell complex is used as a base by Paul Morris. The tour
will allow you to see what goes on in the building and race preparation of a V8 Supercar.

12.45pm - Lunch and presentation by Sylvain Martin-Villa and others. (We are still finalizing arrangements
for lunch, but we expect to be able to provide you with a good lunch at a moderate price)

1.45pm – Sprint and Regularity Session. Here you will have the opportunity to drive your car around the
circuit for either timed Sprint or Regularity Runs. There will be no racing as such, except against the clock
if you wish. If you don’t want to go fast, you can still participate in the Regularity Runs at your own pace.

4.30 – 5.00pm – Wrap up and Departure.

Our thanks go to Renault Australia for their generous sponsorship of this

event, and to Jamie Cartwright of Cartwright Motor Group, Southport, for the
provision of the new Renaults and other sponsorship of RSAE 2010.

Bonus!! - We can’t promise it yet, but if you come to Norwell, you might just
see a new unreleased RenaultSPORT model!
What is RSAE 2010 all about!
In June 2004, six members of the Renault Car Club of Queensland (RCCQ) attended the
Alpine Recorde du Monde at Zolder racing circuit in Belgium. That event involved 667
RenaultSport, Gordinis, Alpines etc, from 52 car clubs and 16 different countries!
With the Alpine Recorde du Monde as inspiration, the RCCQ held the very successful
Renault Sport & Alpine Expo – 2005! We now plan an even larger event, the RSAE – 2010!
The Planned Itinerary for RSAE 2010 is:
• Friday 9 July – Registration and Welcome
Function 7.00 – 9.00 pm.

• Saturday 10 July – Scenic Drive on some

picturesque SE Qld roads with an official
assembly photo shoot and lunch at
beautiful Binna Burra Mountain Lodge.

• Saturday 10 July Evening – Gala Dinner 7

pm Robertson Gardens - includes an
interesting guest speaker and a Renault
memorabilia auction.

• Sunday 11 July – A Grand Display of

French Cars starting at 9:30 am at Brookfield Pony Club Showgrounds, followed by
a casual dinner for RSAE participants.

Optional additional events are:

• Monday 12 July – Track Day at ‘The Driving Centre’ at Norwell.

The following activities will be available before lunch:

* Safety Training on Skid-pan
* Circuit training lead by experienced racing drivers
* ABS braking training
* Short circuit novelty event
* Tour of V8 Supercar workshop
In the afternoon, this will be followed by the opportunity to drive your car on this
interesting 2 km circuit for timed or regularity laps – What a day!!

Thanks to generous sponsorship from RENAULT AUSTRALIA, the cost for

the whole day is only $50* per person. Thanks also to Jamie Cartwright of
Cartwright Motor Group for the provision of cars and other sponsorship.
*Does not include lunch

To put the cost of the day into perspective, the cost of our morning’s activities at Norwell
would normally be $199 per person. You pay one quarter that price and get the Sprint
and Regularity Session as a bonus!!

• Tuesday 13 to Friday 16 July – Transit to Sydney along some interesting back roads.

• Saturday 17 July – Day run in the Sydney environs, kindly organized by our
colleagues from the Renault Car Club of Australia.

• Sunday 18 July – Participation in the Sydney All French Car Day.

Anybody with an interest in Renault,
Alpine, Gordini or related cars is very
welcome. You don’t need to own the
latest RenaultSPORT to attend!
However, we do NOT expect any
Renault Avantimes to make along to
RSAE 2010, although they would be
very welcome! If you know of one,
please tell us!

We do, however, expect a few Megane 1 Cabriolets like the one pictured below!

Your Registration Pack will include:

One lanyard and name badge for each registrant.
Two tickets for each registrant for a complimentary glass of wine, soft drink or a beer at the Friday Welcome.
If prepaid, a ticket for attendance at the day run luncheon on Saturday.
Also one ticket for each registrant for attendance and for a welcome glass of wine, soft drink or a beer at the
Saturday Night Gala dinner.
A ticket for attendance and welcome glass of wine, soft drink or a beer for each EXTRA persons registered to
attend the Gala Dinner
A RSAE sticker which entitles the registrant's car entry to The French Car Day on Sunday.
Other inclusions are:-
Registration receipt
Polo shirt(s) as ordered
Programme detailing events, time, date and location of event.
Layout for photo shoot
Route instructions for day run
Auction catalogue
Voting paper for most popular car
Renault Pen
Renault paper clip holder
Other goodies
Interested?
RSAE is only a few weeks away, so PLEASE register straight away.
Please complete a Registration Form and send it to us as soon as possible. If you are
interested in RSAE 2010 and want more information, please get in touch.
Also, determine your work/holiday plans & make your accommodation bookings as
soon as possible.
It may help to keep an eye on the various forums, including:

http://renaultinaus.17.forumer.com/

http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=1864981&da=y

http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/1936651/rsae-2010-flyer-3-pdf-may-28-2010-8-04-pm-182k?da=y

To provide everyone with regular updates and Newsletters

on RSAE 2010, we need your name and email address!!

Questions?
Contact us at ‘enquiry@renaultclubqld.com.au’ or telephone Ian Both (07) 3279 0509 or
Phil Harrison (0419 885513).

RSAE 2010 - the best RENAULT event in

Australia ever. , PLEASE bring it to Australia soon!