What could have been if Fiat and Renault merged

Matt Campbell
Managing Editor - Head of Video
13 Sep 2019
2 min read

It could have been the biggest merger in automotive history - Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the Renault-Nissan Alliance. But, like one of those great ideas for new inventions you have when you’re in the shower, it didn’t come to fruition.

But that didn’t stop people from imagining a future where these two behemoth automotive manufacturing empires blended into one - and what could have been the result. 

As first published at Budget Direct insurance’s blog, there are some crazy contraptions that may have made it to production. 

Or not.

The Dacia Duster Trailhawk.
The Dacia Duster Trailhawk.

The more believable ones include the Dacia Duster Trailhawk, which takes the rugged Romanian SUV and adds Jeepy off-road elements, including the trademark red tow hooks. 

The Renault Master Overland Campervan.
The Renault Master Overland Campervan.

The next most 'real' is the Renault Master Overland Campervan, which also takes a few Jeep-inspired design treats that appeal to the US market and applies them to a French box on wheels.

The Dodge Ram ZE.
The Dodge Ram ZE.

Third most conceivable is the Dodge Ram ZE. This is incorrectly name. There is no Dodge Ram anymore. Instead it’s just the Ram 1500. But we’ll forgive that, because this version uses Renault’s ZE (Zero Emissions) branding, because it’s electric! And it also has mad suicide doors.

The Renault Talisman Widebody.
The Renault Talisman Widebody.

Then we come to the less realistic section… starting with the Renault Talisman Widebody. This is clearly inspired by the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody, but I’m not sure it works quite as well on a sleek Euro mid-size sedan.

The Alpine A110 SRT.
The Alpine A110 SRT.

The Alpine A110 SRT presumably packs a six-point-something litre V8 under its sculpted bodywork. Nah. Nah, thanks, but nah. 

The Renault Megane Hellcat.
The Renault Megane Hellcat.

And in the same vein there’s the Renault Megane Hellcat. Which is just too silly. But also very much want.

The Renault Koleos Trackhawk.
The Renault Koleos Trackhawk.

There’s also a bit of yum around the Renault Koleos Trackhawk, which clearly draws a lot of inspiration from the Grand Cherokee model of the same name. It actually, weirdly, looks kinda great.

The Dodge Twingo.
The Dodge Twingo.

The Dodge Twingo. For some reason it still has the Renault diamond badge, but with SRT badges and stickers as well. The stance is mad, but… it kinda reminds me of an Astra with a Chevy bowtie.

The Fiat 500 R.S.
The Fiat 500 R.S.

Finally is the Fiat 500 R.S. The last letters stand for Renault Sport, and you can see form the stunning yellow paintwork, Megane-inspired wheels and cute grid-style LED lights in the bumper that this is no warmed-over Abarth.

Matt Campbell
Managing Editor - Head of Video
Matt Campbell has been at the forefront of automotive media for more than a decade, working not only on car reviews and news, but also helping manage automotive outputs across print, online, video and audio. After completing his media degree at Macquarie University, Matt was an intern at a major news organisation as part of the motoring team, where he honed his skills in the online automotive reviews and news space. He did such a good job there they put him on full time, and since then he has worked across different automotive media outlets, before starting with CarsGuide in October 2017. At CarsGuide Matt has helped shape the video output of the business, while also playing a key role in management behind the scenes, and helping in-market new car buyers make the right choice by continually evolving CarsGuide's comparison reviews. Driving more than 100 cars a year seemed like a dream to Matt when he first started out, but now it's all just part of the job - a job he loves and plans to stay in for a long time to come. Matt is also an expert in used car values, as he's always on the hunt for a bargain - be it a project beater or a prime example of the breed. He currently owns a 2001 Audi TT quattro and a 2007 Suzuki Jimny JLX.
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