Renault Latitude News

It's the smell that comes from the ioniser built into the dashboard of its new flagship model, the $42,490 Latitude Luxe. The high-tech air freshener leads a long list of standard equipment that also runs to a massage seat for the driver in a car that takes the lead at Renault from the unloved - and unsuccessful - Laguna.Renault has already re-positioned its Megane line-up with a major price cut and believes the Latitude move can work, thanks to the value that comes partly from a French car that's twinned with Nissan and built in Korea. "The brand has had some stigma in the past and we don't think that's warranted any more," says Justin Hocevar, managing director of Renault Australia.The Latitude approach is a two-level attack, with a price leader at $36,990 including everything from automatic air-con to leather seats and alloy wheels. The car is intended to go against a range of rivals including the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and even the Kia Optima."We believe we are delivering a car that's well suited to the market. It's a segment where rational decision making is king. Comfort and refinement are its real strong points," says Hocevar.

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.