Renault CLIO GT LINE Now Available at Showrooms Nationwide

TC Euro Cars, the sole franchise holder for Renault cars in Malaysia, today announced that the sporty and stylish New Renault CLIO GT LINE is now available in showrooms across the country. It is available at the confirmed retail price of RM118,000, on-the-road inclusive of GST without insurance for private individual registration.

Presented exclusively as a five-door model but with a sleek coupe-like profile with its hidden rear door handles, the New Renault CLIO GT LINE is a more affordable choice for those  who desire the racy looks of the high-performance Clio R.S. model but at more affordable purchase and ownership cost. Of course, at slightly less performance. You can't get everything at a cheaper price can you?

Anyway head over to the nearest Renault showroom if you want to take a look at this newly launched Renault hatchback.

NEW RENAULT CLIO GT LINE NOW AVAILABLE AT SHOWROOMS NATIONWIDE 

TC Euro Cars announce retail availability and confirm pricing of RM118,000 for the New Renault CLIO GT LINE

The New Renault CLIO GT LINE will be available for test drives and viewing at key showrooms nationwide

  

Kuala Lumpur, 30 October 2015 – TC Euro Cars, the sole franchise holder for Renault cars in Malaysia, today announced that the sporty and stylish New Renault CLIO GT LINE is now available in all showrooms across the country.

Available at the confirmed retail price of RM118,000, on-the-road inclusive of GST without insurance for private individual registration, the dashing New Renault CLIO GT LINE comes in four colours – the signature Malta Blue, Diamond Black, Glacier White and for an additional RM5,000, a bold Flame Red.

Presented exclusively as a five-door model but with a sleek coupe-like profile – the rear door handles are cleverly concealed close to the rear quarter lights – the New Renault CLIO GT LINE offers a distinctive look and feel, while delivering solid all-round performance.

A fun city car that delivers superior and sharp handling as well as exceptional fuel efficiency, the New Renault CLIO GT LINE is a smart choice for discerning keen drivers who desire the racy looks of the high-performance Clio R.S. model but at more affordable purchase and ownership cost.

The head-turning New Renault CLIO GT LINE offers a host of bold and innovative features that sets it apart from its competition.

Driving Experience and Performance

The New Renault CLIO GT LINE features the company’s Turbo Control Efficiency or TCe 120 engine – a thoroughly modern powertrain that comes in a small four-cylinder engine displacement with a turbocharger, delivering performance equivalent to a naturally-aspirated 1.8L engine.

Mated exclusively to the six-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) – a technology transfer from the flagship Clio R.S. – the New Renault CLIO GT LINE delivers maximum power of 120 PS and peak torque of 190 Nm – enabling powerful acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 9.9 seconds. At the same time, this spirited yet fuel-efficient engine also offers fuel efficiency of up to 5.2L/100km[1], equivalent to CO2 emissions of 120g/km.

Additionally, by engaging the car’s ECO mode, up to 10 percent of fuel savings can be achieved.

Going the extra mile to improve handling and stability for a more comfortable and enjoyable driving experience, the suspension design of the New Renault CLIO GT LINE was developed to provide driving precision with less noise and vibration.

Combined with a longer wheelbase, wider track, more direct steering and an exhaustive weight-saving programme over its predecessor, the New Renault CLIO GT LINE delivers better grip for complete confidence and ease of use, greater precision and good straight-line stability while being appreciably more manoeuvrable and responsive when cornering.

Design and Build

The New Renault CLIO GT LINE’s smooth aerodynamic curves and elegant finishes make a bold statement for any driver looking to stand out in the crowd.

Its styling boasts a number of Renault Sport design cues, such as its grille and bold frontal styling, GT design front and rear bumpers, specific rear lip spoiler, wide-set LED daytime running lights, ‘GT LINE’ badging on the tailgate and a chrome finish exhaust tailpiece. Rounding off its purposeful looks are special 17-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured side protective mouldings with dark metal insert and dark metal door mirror housing.

The sports theme continues on the inside with dark carbon upholstery, a grey-trimmed dashboard sculpted in the shape of an aircraft wing, optimally-positioned multimedia system on the centre console and Renault Sport door sill guards.

The New Renault CLIO GT LINE makes the most of its dimensions to offer ample cabin space for front and back occupant, with numerous, well-though-out stowage points and generous boot space measuring 300 litres which rises to 1,146 litres when the rear seats are folded – well-suited to everyday use and long-distance travel.

Innovative, Safe and Secure

The New Renault CLIO GT LINE is also packed with a range of useful and convenient features including a 7” touchscreen MediaNav System with USB and Bluetooth phone pairing, auto headlights and rain sensors, keyless entry and push start button with walkaway lock function, cruise control and speed limiter, motorway mode indicators and the Renault Bass Reflex system, which delivers more powerful bass frequencies and the listening enjoyment of a 30-litre home speaker enclosure.

Renault’s long-established commitment to delivering the highest standards of passive and active safety means that the Euro NCAP five-star rated New Renault CLIO GT LINE comes standard with four airbags (frontal airbags, lateral head and thorax airbags), a pressure sensor to detect impending impacts, anti-whiplash head rests, ‘submarining’ movement prevention in an impact, three-point ISOFIX child seat anchorage for three seats (front passenger seat and two outer rear seats), as well as enhanced pedestrian protection against injury in a collision, particularly to the head, legs and hips.

Active safety features include Electronic Stability Control, Roll Movement Intervention, ABS, Emergency Brake Assist as well as Hill Start Assist as standard equipment.

Peace of Mind and Value for Money

Renault’s unwavering commitment to quality means that the New Renault CLIO GT LINE has gone through hundreds and thousands of kilometres of punishing treatment in Renault’s exhaustive test programme as well as millions of kilometres in real-world conditions on everyday roads.

Such tests form part of Renault’s contemporary quality standards procedure to ensure every design aspect – including seat comfort, seals, suspension, noise, vibration and harshness – has the required long-term durability.

Likewise, the climate control system has been designed to give optimum performance in extreme temperatures, ranging from -30°C to +55°C, and in humidity levels from five to 95%. The MediaNav system as well, has passed through demanding radiation and interference tests.

Like all Renault passenger cars in Malaysia, service intervals for the New Renault CLIO GT LINE are 10,000km or six months, whichever comes first. It also comes with a five-year unlimited mileage manufacturer’s warranty, which unlike other new vehicle extended warranties, is fully-backed by Renault for enhanced ease of ownership as there are fewer complications with terms and conditions.

“With this launch availability of the New Renault CLIO GT LINE, we hope this model will increase our base of customers, especially among people who appreciate the Clio model heritage and are looking for a vehicle for their everyday city driving, “said Kuan Kim Luen, Chief Executive Officer, TC Euro Cars Sdn Bhd.

“In addition to the strong value proposition products that we will be launching, we have several key focus areas which include continued sales growth, quality of service and ensuring that our customers continue to enjoy a very positive experience with our dealer network,” continues Kuan.

Malaysian drivers who are keen to know more about or test drive the New Renault CLIO GT LINE are encouraged to visit www.renaultclio.com.my/gtline.

For more information about Renault in Malaysia, please visit www.renault.com.my or www.facebook.com/RenaultMalaysia.

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Renault launches the limited edition Megane RS 275 Trophy R in Malaysia - And they're all SOLD OUT!!!!

Three Renault cars were officially previewed to the media yesterday evening - the limited edition Megane RS 275 Trophy R, the upgraded Megane RS 265 Cup and the electric Twizy. But let's talk about the limited ed RS 275 here.

The limited edition Megane R.S 275 Trophy R is almost 100 kg lighter than the Megane R.S. This radical special edition boasts enhanced dynamism and efficiency, aside from fixed seatback RECARO seats the car features new equipment developed in cooperation with prestigious partners: Akrapovič titanium exhaust system, Öhlins Road&Track adjustable dampers, Allevard composite springs and MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres. It managed a sub 8 minute time at the Nurburgring recently. One of the the fastest laps recorded by a front wheel drive production car.

The Malaysian specced Trophy R also comes with the “Nürburgring Pack”, comprising the “Performance” braking kit, lithium-ion battery, two Sabelt safety harnesses, four spare wheel covers and a retaining strap.

TC Euro Cars, official distributors of Renault here in Malaysia recently made available only 10 units of the limited-edition Renault Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R, priced at RM300,000 on-the-road inclusive of GST, without insurance, for Peninsular Malaysia and private individual registration only. I believe all have been sold out. Amazing isn't it?

What this car to me is the ultimate embodiment of a hot hatch. Pure and unadulterated fun. The Megane RS cars and the VW Scirocco are actually quite nice to look at as they are more low slung than the usual hatchbacks. More coupe-like and defintely better looking because of this. Now add Trophy R bits and pieces, it becomes close to a mini Porsche 911 GT3 RS in some ways. No wonder they're sold out.

Press Release

renault megane r.s. 275 trophy-R: powerful and exclusive

Very special edition takes advantage of technology upgrades gained by the Megane R.S. 275 Trophy to push the limits of high performance

Renault Sport’s wide-ranging work on weight reduction and new state-of-the-art equipment contribute to ensure the behaviour of the Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R rivals that of a real racing car

Kuala Lumpur, 20 August 2015 – Designed for track driving enthusiasts, the Renault Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R takes advantage of the latest upgrades to the Renault Sport 2.0T engine to push the limits of high performance.

To meet targets for performance, ride and handling, engineers tracked down every last superfluous kilo. Almost 100 kg lighter than the Megane R.S., this radical special edition boasts enhanced dynamism and efficiency, featuring new equipment developed in cooperation with prestigious partners: Akrapovič titanium exhaust system, Öhlins Road&Track adjustable dampers, Allevard composite springs and MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.

The exceptional level of performance achieved was illustrated by its performance at the Nürburgring Nordschleife – often considered the most demanding circuit in the world. The Renault Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R covered the 20.832 km in just less than eight minutes, an impressive time for a front-wheel drive production model. 

“Renault and Renault Sport, in particular, are unwavering in their commitment to see new challenges as the driving force for fine-tuning the overall performance Renault Sport vehicles. The Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R, which has become the flag bearer of the brand’s sporting range, is a great example, delivering performance worthy of an exclusive race-ready sports car,” said Kuan Kim Luen, CEO, TC Euro Cars Sdn Bhd. 

Technical upgrades for an R.S. thoroughbred with even sharper performance

The Renault Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R comes standard in the Cup chassis with limited slip differential, which is widely acclaimed both for its on-road performance and when driven round circuits.

To allow customers to benefit more fully from the car’s dynamic qualities, engineers have worked extensively on the  powerplant to extract an extra 10 horsepower from the Renault Sport 2.0L turbo-charged engine. As a result, the Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R is capable of delivering peak power of 275hp at 5,500 rpm. Maximum torque of 360 Nm is available across a broad rev-band, from 3,000 to 5,000 rpm. 

Despite the additional power, fuel consumption and emissions have been carefully contained to stand at just 7.5 litres/100km and 174g of CO2/km respectively1.

Renault Sport partnered with Akrapovic – renowned for its benchmark exhaust systems for motorcycles and high performance cars – to design a special titanium exhaust system as a standard fitment.  Besides reducing vehicle weight, this assembly also gives the Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R a deeper, more raucous sound signature that is sure to thrill engine aficionados.

An Equipment Package with a Circuit Racing Pedigree

The Renault Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R comes with Ohlins’s new adjustable Road & Track dampers. Inspired by the world of motorsport this technological evolution allows drivers to easily adjust their dampers using the knob on a rig fitted on the damper. With 20 positions at the front and 30 at the rear, the car adapts precisely to all types of surface and all driving styles.

Drivers can also vary the body height and attitude of the Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R by adjusting the compression of the Allevard composite springs. These corrosion proof springs have a longer service life. 

Even the best chassis and engine is useless without the right tyres to connect it to the road. To enable the full potential of the Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R, Renault partnered with Michelin to incorporate the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres – typically fitted on many supercars – as a standard, for the first time, on a front-wheel drive. 

The tyres are mounted on 19” Speedline Turini wheels. This new wheel design, based directly on the world of motorsport, also helps reduce the un-sprung weight of the vehicle.

Renault’s R-Link integrated multimedia tablet also comes standard in the Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R with R.S. Monitor 2.0 and the all-new R.S. Replay function.

Exclusive Styling, Inside and Out

The looks of Renault Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R are as uncompromising as its technical specifications. The two-toned Pearlescent White bodywork and an Etoilé black roof, combined with the bright red of the F1-style splitter, stripes and side checker flag graphics is a sure head-turner.

Inside, the Recaro Pole Position bucket seats illustrate the main purpose of Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R. These single-piece polycarbonate seats are painted glossy black and upholstered in leather and Alcantara.

Alcantara is also present on the steering wheel and hand brake gaiter, whereas leather is used for the gear lever knob.

As Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R was made for track driving, the rear seat has been removed to make it a real two-seater. A cross strut bar is provided for the luggage restraint net. Track enthusiasts will appreciate the boot layout, designed to make it easy to carry four spare wheels. 

Breaking New Ground in Performance through “Nurburgring Pack” Accessories

Renault Sport is bringing purists a range of accessories to boost the technical specifications of their Mégane R.S. 275 Trophy-R to the same level as those of the Nürburgring record-setting version.

Hailing from the world of motorsport, the “Performance” braking kit comprises wider discs – with a diameter of 350 mm, up from the standard 340 mm – mounted on aluminium bowls. Using aluminium reduces the un-sprung mass by 3 kg, while the use of wider discs leads to a 100°C reduction in the operating temperature. The result on circuits is greater consistency and heightened pedal feel.

Again to reduce mass, the accessories range includes a lithium-ion battery, weighing in at some 16 kg lighter. The lithium-ion battery is fitted in the same place as the original lead battery.

A “Nürburgring Pack”, comprising the “Performance” braking kit, lithium-ion battery, two Sabelt safety harnesses, four spare wheel covers and a retaining strap, is available as standard for Malaysia.

Pricing and Availability

TC Euro Cars recently made available only 10 units of the limited-edition Renault Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R, priced at RM300,000 on-the-road inclusive of GST, without insurance, for Peninsular Malaysia and private individual registration only.

Five lucky first customers of the RS 275 (The guys not in the suits obviously...)

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Renault Twizy electric car launched in Malaysia

Renault's local distributors TC Eurocars launched the fully electric Renault Twizy recently. The zero emissions fully electric urban roundabout. A highly drivable car, uniquely easy to use, with zero emissions and zero pollution, the Renault Twizy is particularly well-suited to new forms of urban mobility and business use such as car sharing, fleet, tourism or private use, new urban development products and even last-mile deliveries. It is priced from RM71,888 onwards. I drove this car and I have written on the drive experience here. Do read it as the car is surprisingly interesting to punt around.

PRESS RELEASE

renault twizy ready to electrify malaysia

Twizy, the all-electric mobility concept by Renault, is designed to revolutionise urban travel in safety, while delivering an enjoyable driving experience.

Renault Twizy is the ideal solution for new types of mobility: car sharing, tourism or private use, new urban development projects, last-mile deliveries

With its unique design, Twizy is a powerful communication tool for companies who make it part of their fleet

TC Euro Cars announce official prices and available trims of Renault Twizy in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, 20 August 2015 – TC Euro Cars, the sole franchise holder for Renault vehicles in Malaysia, today announced the retail availability of Renault’s all-electric Twizy car.

A highly drivable car, uniquely easy to use, with zero emissions and zero pollution, the Renault Twizy is particularly well-suited to new forms of urban mobility and business use such as car sharing, fleet, tourism or private use, new urban development products and even last-mile deliveries.

Highly visible, the Renault Twizy can also be fitted with decals and customised, making it a powerful communication tool as well for companies that make it part of their fleet.

“Electric power is today’s only real zero-emission solution and the demand for Renault electric vehicles continues to grow globally. Fun-to-drive, requiring less maintenance and with low operating costs, Renault electric vehicles enjoy among the highest levels of customer satisfaction that we have seen for any vehicle,” said Kuan Kim Luen, CEO, TC Euro Cars Sdn Bhd.

Renault-Nissan Alliance has sold 15,000 Twizy cars as of April 2015 and 250,000 electric vehicles (EVs) as of June 2015. In Europe, the company was the No. 1 EV brand for the months of April and May 2015, with a market share of 26 percent.

100% FUN, 100% ELECTRIC

Nimble, smart and practical

Renault Twizy's dimensions are barely bigger than those of a three-wheel scooter. At just 2.34 metres in length and 1.23 metres wide, it is the breath of fresh air in the city. With a kerb weight of just 450kg, the Twizy is at least half the weight of a normal car.

Compact, yet nippy thanks to its electric motor and direct steering, it is much more agile than conventional cars and is even more fun to drive. The electric motor delivers a maximum peak power and torque of 13kW (17hp) and 57Nm respectively enabling the Twizy to achieve a maximum speed of 80km/h. Renault Twizy is the only four-wheeler that can park at right angles to the pavement. If you stretch your arms out wide, that's roughly the length of the space you need!

Good handling and safety

Renault Twizy’s road-handling is both playful and reassuring, with its four wheels and their disc brakes.

In terms of safety, the Twizy offers features worthy of a conventional vehicle. Firm suspension tuning ensures stability, safety and security. Additional passive safety features include a protective cabin, four-point seat belt (for the driver) and a driver airbag. For Urban trim, a three-point seat belt at the rear is also present.

Quick Recharging

The 6.1kWh lithium-ion battery is located under the front seat. At the front end of the Renault Twizy is a flap which conceals the charging cable. The latter simply needs to be connected to any 230V/240V outlet, with a complete charge taking only three-and-a-half hours. With a range of 100km, the Twizy can be driven all over town.

DEVELOPED BY THE DESIGNERS AT RENAULT SPORT TECHNOLOGIES

The Renault Twizy may be fun, but it is just as efficient as a car. Its chassis was developed by Renault Sport Technologies, which means it is also sure-footed, thanks to optimised engineering coupled with a very low centre of gravity.

The Twizy’s design was dictated by function. It can be seen as a helmet, placed on a technical base with the smallest possible surface area. The profile of this helmet and the way it is designed around the passenger increase its visibility in traffic. It is also a car of original proportions, with the four wheels standing out from the cabin. The round headlights, which are part of the new identify, have a friendly look. The large windscreen provides both safety and transparency.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

The Renault Twizy will be available in two trims, Urban and Cargo, throughout the Renault sales network. The Urban trim comes with a passenger seat at the back, while the Cargo variant offers a watertight boot with a capacity of 180 litres, accessible via a rear door that opens to 90 degrees.

Priced at RM71,888.00 for the Urban trim and RM73,888.00 for the Cargo, on-the-road inclusive of GST without insurance for private individual registration; Twizy represents a true revolution in urban mobility for all motorists. The above prices are for Peninsular Malaysia only.

For added peace-of-mind, like all Renault passenger cars, service intervals for the Twizy are 10,000km or six months, whichever comes first. The Twizy also comes with a two-year or 50,000km manufacturer’s warranty for the base vehicle, and, a three-year or 50,000km manufacturer’s warranty for both the traction battery and electrical drivetrain.

For more information about the Twizy or Renault in Malaysia, please visit www.renault.com.my or www.facebook.com/RenaultMalaysia.

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Short Drive: Renault Twizy Urban during its Malaysian launch

I had a short drive in the fully electric Renault Twizy and I must say that it does feel  enjoyable for such a small package. The car is fully electric and is only slightly larger than a quad-bike. It is really compact and could be the ultimate city car where commutes are totally within the suburbs or the city center. To the market and back. To the children's school and back. Or to the golf club and back.

At just 2.34meters long and 1.23 meters wide the 450kg fully electric car is super compact. it is essentially a quad bike with a roof and scissor doors. The interior is sparse and built to keep its weight low. The dashboard is kept simple and everything is easy to reach and use. Hard plastics everywhere except for the steering wheel. You could hose off everything if you wanted to by the looks of it (but don't).

The 13hp /57nm  torque electric motor powers the rear wheels and can power the Twizy up to a speed limited to 80kmh. The seemingly low max speed is there for safety reasons as it really is tiny. I personally would like to keep to normal urban and suburban roads instead of travel in one using our tolled highways like the NKVE. After trying out one I imagine maxing out at 80kmh and a Prime Mover comes barreling down at the Twizy at around 90kmh flashing its lights at the small and tiny car in front of it. Maybe on a downhill section it could do 90kmh. But let's just use it around town shall we. 

But anyway, for what the Twizy is meant to do it does it pretty well. The car, being a zero emission plug in electric vehicle is actually an absolute blast to drive. The car may sound like a glorified electric blender with its motor whine but the rest is very traditional motoring. If fact, it is good that there is a whine. It gives you the feeling of some mechanical assurance whilst driving it. As for why it is traditional motoring, it has four skinny tyres (which allows early slip and slide = fun), all round disc brakes (without any ABS, EBD or traction control = purity of brake feel) and an uncorrupted, unassisted steering wheel (more purity of control here) . All of these details stitched together equals to the Twizy being fun.

The four tyres give a smallish contact patch with low slip tolerances. Good for low rolling resistance but actually very good for the car being enjoyable at low speeds, allowing you to dance around a little once you get used to the car's characteristics. This is coupled to the direct steering wheel that is unassisted (but very tolerable due to the skinny tyres) and full of feel. You could actually be a bit aggressive whilst cornering in the Twizy and it will reward you with a little slip from the front wheels and an some actual tail action if you pass this initial push. This is surprising. This electric car is actually darn fun to drive. The only thing modern and different is the fully electric drive train - press the D button for drive and it moves forward, R button for reverse and a N button when stationary. The park brake is underneath the steering wheel. Everything is simple and straightforward. Oh, initial throttle response may be a little dead but once on the move, everything feels instantaneous. Up to 80kmh, that is. Wish it could do 100. Miles per hour. 

I suppose even the electric drivetrain isn't really modern or futuristic. It's just like an golf cart with a lot more power. The only thing really innovative is the fact that the Twizy has a range of 100km and its lithium ion battery simple needs to be charged for about 3 and a half hours from a normal electric socket. Which is pretty quick compared to some which require an overnight charge.

Personally, I now think that the Twizy is practical as an urban roundabout which one must drive within its set limits. These limits are quite simple - a tiny car meant for the short distance commute, seats only two (or one if you buy the Cargo which omits the rear seat and adds a lockable hatch), max speed is 80kmh and has no side windows (just canvas coverings which you need to clip on if needed) as well as no air-conditioning (due to its open windowless styling. Hey, it's tiny. Even a Smart Car will think its Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

What else? RM71,888 for the two seat Urban and RM73,888 for the single seat Cargo. Prices are on the road without Insurance. Road tax is RM10 per annum. There are service intervals of 10,000km or every six months. A two year/50,000km manufacturer's warranty for the base vehicle and a three year/50,000km for both the traction battery and the electric drivetrain. 

I suppose the only real drawback here in Malaysia is the price. Being fully imported and the fact that there is no tax exempt even for a fully electric imported cars makes the Renault Twizy a toy only for those that can afford the luxury of something so tiny. A shame as its carbon footprint is so low. 

Yup. I kinda like this electric blender. 

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