1964 Renault R4 Reviews

Renault Australia’s Trafic mid-size van is now available with a limited-run Formula Edition variant.The F1-inspired grade has returned for 2019, based on the 103kW/340Nm 1.6-litre turbo-diesel Trafic, and once again boasting unique exterior styling and a strong list of standard equipment.Available in both short- and long-wheelbase guise, the Trafic Formula Edition can be had from $41,490 plus on-road costs and $43,490, respectively, which translates to a $3000 and $3500 premium compared to the vehicles upon which they are based.The Formula Edition is equipped exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox.For the extra bags of sand, the Formula Edition features dark cloth upholstery, a heated driver’s seat, unique floor mats, climate control, a wide-view reversing mirror, LED interior lighting, a dashboard storage compartment and a start/stop button.The interior also gains chrome touches on the instrument panel surround, gear knob, and speaker panels, and gloss black surrounds are added to the air vents.Renault will also include a high-security dead-locking system, a stainless-steel bumper lip to make the load bay more secure and a dealer-fitted timber cargo floor.The flooring is made from nine-millimetre hardwood with a hard-wearing, non-slip surface.Distinguishing the Formula Edition is a red exterior decal kit, which is included with both the White and Storm Grey paint options, black 17-inch alloys and body-coloured bumpers.According to Renault Australia LCV product manager Lyndon Healey, the brand is confident that the Formula Edition will help drive light-commercial sales.“Over the past few years the exclusive Formula Edition has brought many new customers to Renault LCV,” he said.“In addition to referencing Renault Sport’s involvement in Formula 1, the feature-rich list of extra equipment and the stand out design elements really appeal to SME (Small to Medium Enterprise) and tradie buyers,” he said.“More importantly for keen Trafic drivers, the manual six-speed gearbox is the same as that used in the high-performance Renault Sport Megane hot-hatch, so there’s a little bit of Renault Sport magic in every Trafic,”Only a “small number” of Formula Edition vans will be available in 2019, however, it is unclear exactly how many units are allocated.“With only a small number of Formula Edition vans available in 2019, fans of sporty Trafics are encouraged to race into their local Renault dealer before they sell out.” 

More than 90 per cent of a batch of Renault's Zoe electric cars destined for Australian showrooms have been damaged in transit due to an oil spill on the transport vessel that arrived in July.

Another day, another special edition model - this time it’s the Renault Koleos, which has just been given the Formula Edition treatment.

Renault has unveiled its all-new Captur small SUV, following in the footsteps of the new-generation Clio hatchback unveiled earlier this year.

The next-generation Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution could share a platform and hybrid drivetrain with the next Renault Megane RS, if a report from Autocar UK is to be believed. Reportedly due in around 2022 and using the same CMF-C/D F4 platform as the next Megane, Mitsubishi will apparently aim to get back to its performance car roots with the next generation of Lancer Evolution. The next Evo will reportedly use a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine boosted by a 48V mild-hybrid drivetrain, producing about 255kW of power and 450Nm of torque and be capable of a sub-5.0 second sprint from 0-100km/h. According to the report, the Evolution’s revival is part of Mitsubishi chairman Osamu Masuko’s plan to restore the Japanese maker to its previous position of strength within the performance car ranks. Previous plans to make a next-generation Evo were put on hold thanks to heavy financial losses at the company and its purchase by Nissan in 2016, but thanks to the Renault-Nissan alliance, such a product - and a regular Lancer small car - are more feasible. While the Lancer has stopped production for the western world, in markets like Taiwan it received a facelift and a name change to Grand Lancer. The Grand Lancer will possibly stick around until the next generation of the car is revealed.

Renault has unveiled its new Triber seven-seat small SUV - a vehicle built primarily for emerging markets.Measuring just 3990mm long and 1739mm wide, the Triber is both shorter and skinnier than the current generation Clio light hatch, yet offers 625 litres of boot space with the third row folded. According to Renault, the Triber offers more than 100 seating combinations.Powered by a naturally-aspirated 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 67kW/96Nm, the Triber is available with either a manual or automated manual transmission, both with five speeds.The Triber comes standard with 15-inch alloy wheels, roof rails and body cladding for a tougher look, as well as more protection against the bad roads Tribers will likely be driven on. The inside of the Triber uses a number of parts from other Renault models such as the Captur.  Available tech includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a 3.5-inch driver’s display, LED daytime running lights and keyless start. Air vents with fan controls and USB sockets feature in all three rows of seats for 'extra comfort', according to Renault. Power windows and mirrors are also standard. Aimed at price sensitive markets such as India, safety kit is lacklustre at best. Equipment such as AEB (auto emergency braking) is unavailable and only a maximum of four airbags are fitted - the third row of seating is disappointingly not covered by potentially life-saving safety kit.Because of its budget focus, the Triber will not be offered in Australia or other first-world global markets. Pricing is due to start in India at around R500,000 (AUD$10,400).Should Renault sell the Triber in Australia? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.

Renault Australia has discontinued the entry-level Life and Zen variants from its Megane small car range - a move that increases the price of entry to the Megane line-up by $10,500.But like Holden’s recent decision to cull the Astra range to just a hatchback body-style, Renault has also killed off the Megane sedan and wagon locally.This leaves just the Megane GT-Line, GT and RS (Renault Sport) variants left, though the Megane RS Trophy and RS Trophy-R are due to be added later in 2019. Megane sales have slowed to a trickle in 2019 with just 15 sold to the end of May, according to VFACTS. This pales in comparison with the Mazda3 (12,682 units), Toyota Corolla (11,882) and Hyundai i30 (11,033). Sales of the Megane Sport range are more positive, with 155 sold in the same time period, although Renault Australia’s sales are down 20.7 per cent year on year to 3054 units. While slow sales are likely the reason to the Megane range’s culling, Renault Australia is also preparing to introduce the Kadjar small SUV that will sit between the Captur and Koleos. Due in late 2019, the Kadjar is based on the same platform as the Nissan Qashqai and is likely to be priced from around $27,000.

Renault has revealed its third-generation Zoe electric vehicle (EV), promising an increased driving range, more power and enhanced technology.

It’s nice to have a different mid-size SUV to choose from, rather than the usual players. Renault’s Koleos is a five-seat, mid-size SUV that competes with cars like the Nissan X-Trail, Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, so it sways towards the large end of that category.I test drove the Koleos over a week where I had to go out and do a big fruit and veggie shop for the food co-op I’m in, so I really got to test how much it would hold!I was in the Koleos Zen, which is second from the bottom in a range of five. Here’s how it did over a week with my family.

The Captur is one of Europe's top selling SUVs, but will that translate well in Australia, where the market is so hotly contested and Renault is not such a mainstream brand?