Renault's french flair at Show

Level of create features and safety equipment across all Renault models

Dowdy looking Latitude. Won't get them out of their -30% sales slump!

Renault Australia managing director Justin Hocevar says the company has quadrupled its spending in the country to arrest a 30 per cent decline in sales so far this year.

“Renault is investing proactively for growth in Australia,” he says.  He says an example is the Australian preview of the new Latitude which is slightly larger than the Laguna it replaces yet slightly cheaper.

"There will be two variants from the high $30,000s to the top spec in the low $40,000s,” he says.

It will arrive early next year in petrol, and diesel variants with a host of features including sunroof, leather upholstery, electric seats with memory and massage functions, a satnav system with rear view camera, keyless entry, air purifier with freshener, multimedia connection box, Bose sound system, automatic parking brake, rear sunblind and auto headlamps and wipers.

“We are not chasing huge volume with this model but there is a loyal Renault following who like a family car with features and dynamics,” he says.

The Latitude is powered by a 2.5-litre petrol V6 with 12kEW of power and 235Nm of torque and has 9.7L/100km fuel consumption.  Hocevar says the new Fluence will become a volume seller alongside the new Mégane Hatch and Koleos compact SUV.

The 4.6m sedan will sell for the drive-away price of $25,990 for the Dynamique manual.  It is listed at $22,990, the CVT is an extra $2000 and the top-spec Privilege with CVT and satnav is listed at $29,990.

The sedan is a joint venture with Nissan and shares the Megane Hatch chassis and drivetrains.  The Megane Hatch not only loses the flabby bottom, but gains better ride and handling.  “It’s a less polarizing design,” Hocevar admits.

Renault has announced a drive-away price of $25,990 on the Dynamique manual which is listed at $22,990. The CVT auto adds $2000 and the top-spec Privilege CVT with satnav is listed at $29,990.

The two new sports models are the Mégane Renault Sport 250 Cup and Cup Trophée.  They are powered by 184kW turbocharged engines and come standard with a limited slip differential and Brembo brakes. They join the Clio Sport 200 Gordini Edition in traditional blue with white stripes that went on sale last month.

The Mégane Renault Sport 250 Cup which features in the latest Need for Speed computer game, is priced from $41,990 while the Cup Trophée versions start from $46,990.

To further emphasise the company sporting traditions and play on Mark Webber leading the F1 titles in a Renault-powered Red Bull racer, the Renault stand also features an eye-popping Mégane Trophy racer powered by a mid-engined 3.5-litre V6 and featuring Mercedes SLS-style swing-up gullwing doors.