Renault News

Australia is one of the most fiercely-contested sales arenas in the world today, with more than 60 brands and counting fighting for a modest 1.2-million-unit market annually.Tough doesn’t even start to explain the situation.Now, with the recent Climate Change Authority’s recommendation that electric vehicle (EV) sales jump from today’s 10 per cent market penetration to at least 50 per cent by 2035 to achieve emissions targets, it is vital that Australian buyers willingly take the leap into full electrification.To that end, here are five EVs not-yet available locally that could lure consumers in. Let’s go.Built at the old Fiesta supermini factory in Germany, the inexplicably-named Explorer EV (no relation at all to the larger, non-electric American Toyota Kluger-sized SUV with exactly the same badge – are there no other names, Ford?) is not what it seems.Under the boxy exterior is a Volkswagen ID.4 mid-sized EV SUV. This is a strong basis for any family-friendly electric car, offering a pleasing depth of quality engineering. Ford’s contribution has been in its unique styling inside and out, as well as on-brand dynamic tuning.Launched last year, initial sales in Europe tanked, but demand has really started to pick up lately, as consumers respond to the Explorer’s chunky styling, involving handling and sophisticated interior. With up to 600km of WLTP range available, efficiency is also impressive.This Euro Explorer is exactly the sort of EV Ford Australia needs: handsome, athletic, capable and clean.Especially as the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) will increasingly penalise carbon-heavy polluters like diesel-powered utes and SUVs – which is what Ranger and Everest are respectively, making up about 90 per cent of total local Ford sales.But there are no plans for Explorer EV to be imported. It seems like a no-brainer. What a shame.The retro-chic Renault 5 E-Tech city car is a sales and critical success, and deservedly so, offering an alluring blend of style, affordability and technology. Europeans are going gaga over this French supermini, and all indications suggest we soon will be, too. Fingers crossed.But its big brother, the Renault 4 E-Tech, might be an even-better fit for Australia, given it is a higher-riding SUV/crossover, with proper practicality lurking underneath that utilitarian design. With only hints of the original, ground-breaking R4 of 1961 – widely considered to be history’s first volume hatchback – the 2025 reimagining treads a fine line between post-modern-cool and ultra-contemporary-funk.Fun fact: unlike the original Renault 5 supermini of the 1970s, Australians could actually buy the first R4, from 1963 to 1967, and it was even manufactured in Melbourne.Chinese giant Geely has the resources and might to stamp its authority in the bottom end of the EV market in Australia with this – the Geome Xingyuan.And an anticipated sub-$30,000 entry price wouldn’t be the light urban crossover’s only strength.Aimed at the BYD Dolphin, GWM Ora and Hyundai Inster, the Geome has gone gangbusters back in China, with buyers liking and subscribing its cutesy organic styling, surprisingly spacious cabin and ease of operation – aided by plenty of pep, perky handling, decent range and a generous wad of safety tech. What’s not to like from an EV that, in China, kicks off from well-below $20K? At $25K the Geome would rule.With a name like that, this European EV supermini sounds like it should be Chinese, but the Grande Panda is very much an elegant – and thoughtful ­– slice of Italian design.Based on Stellantis’ Smart Car Platform that supports internal combustion engines as well as battery electric tech, accessibility was high on the Grande Panda’s engineering brief, meaning that, were it to join its glamorous 500e supermini sister in Australia, it should be priced very competitively. Like history’s best Fiats have always been.This is the sort of fun and fiery yet ultra-functional city car that the company is famous for – and the retro styling that harks back to the beloved, Giugiaro-penned 1980 Panda original makes no bones about that. Interesting detailing, great proportions and an inviting interior presentation are further drawcards, proving that Italy still knows how to make cracking small cars. And did we mention the Grande Panda was designed to be attractively priced?OK. This is little more than the high-flying Renault 5 E-Tech wearing a 2000s-era Mk3 Micra-esque face with adorable semi-circular LEDs to set it apart.But, in an era of capable if unexciting SUVs, ageing utes and even-older 4WDs, Nissan deserves to offer something fresh and youthful.And, anyway, until the late 2010s and Tesla Model 3, the brand’s Leaf small car was the most successful EV in history. Whether lightning strikes twice with the vital third iteration from next year remains to be seen, but in the meantime, the Micra EV proves that there is real heart as well as a sense of fun at Nissan. Even if it is so clearly little more than a badge-engineered R5. But there could be worse cars to be based upon.

Renault only offers a handful of passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles in Australia but it claims it will thrive under the recently imposed federal government emissions regulations.

While the Renault Duster is only just arriving on Australian shores now, its original European sibling has received a minor update.

Renault has revealed a new-generation version of its Clio hatchback at this year’s IAA Mobility show in Munich, Germany.Claimed to be “boosted in every way”, this sixth-generation Clio has been redesigned inside and out. It’s still based on the CMF-B platform that also underpins the likes of the Renault Captur and Arkana, as well as the Nissan Juke.Outside there is an emphasis on diamond shapes, especially at the front, referring back to the Renault badge. This includes motifs on the front grille and the daytime running light signature.Around the sides there are alloy wheels that are up to 18-inches, hidden rear door handles, plus either matte or gloss black wheel-arch cladding.At the back there are four separate tail-light units which are claimed to be inspired by sports cars, plus a highly raked rear window.Measuring in at 4116mm long, 1768mm wide and 1451mm tall with a 2591mm wheelbase, the new Clio is 39mm wider than the previous-generation model.Inside there is a new cockpit design that, depending on the trim, features two 10.1-inch screens configured in a V-shape. There is also textile on the dashboard and integrated ambient lighting that spills on the door cards.Renault claims to have made a conscious effort to incorporate more recycled materials. More than 33 per cent of materials are sourced from a circular economy, plus at least 85 per cent of the car is recyclable.Boot space is up to 391L, depending on the powertrain, and the sill height has been lowered by 40mm compared to the previous-generation model.There are four powertrains available – a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 85kW and 190Nm with a manual or dual-clutch automatic, a three-cylinder petrol-LPG engine that produces 89kW and 200Nm with a dual-clutch automatic, as well as a 1.8-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain that produces 119kW with a clutchless multi-speed dog-box transmission.The latter of these engines is claimed to consume 3.9L/100km on the combined cycle, which is less than the previous-generation Clio hybrid. Up to 80 per cent of urban driving is claimed to be able to be done on electric power alone.The new-generation Renault Clio is set to be available to order in Europe before the end of 2025.At this stage it’s unclear if it will come to Australia. "No plans at this stage," said a Renault Australia spokesperson.The French carmaker hasn’t offered the Clio locally since 2020 since it cancelled plans to introduce the previous-generation.However, Renault has said it plans to introduce six new or refreshed models over the next 18 months in Australia.

Renault has just launched the global version of the Dacia Duster SUV in Australia, but there are big plans for the model over in Europe.

The funky Renault Duster SUV has only just started arriving in Australia but the company has admitted initial supply will be tight.

Renault is currently experiencing a sales slide in Australia, though it claims to have a slew of new products coming soon, which may turn this around.

This feature was once a mainstay in luxury cars and a huge selling point for mainstream vehicles … not anymore. Renault is the latest brand to ditch leather from all its cars by the end of the year.

It’s been over five years now since COVID lockdowns started and in some way it feels like a lifetime ago. For a lot of people buying new cars during this period, however, there were long wait times. COVID lockdowns were a key reason for this, but another major reason for delays was the global shortage of semiconductors.

Renault Australia has simplified its Master van line-up to just two variants but it's offering a driveaway deal to ABN holders which will see them get on the road from $57,990.