Auto Channel

Carlos Ghosn will be a busy man at Geneva. You’ll spot him easily, he’ll be the guy in the suit with the sweaty brow sprinting in-between the Renault, Dacia, Infiniti and Nissan stands.

He will be spending a considerable amount of time at the Renault stand though as Renault are preparing to release 4 new models at the show. There will also be an announcement regarding the future of its value brand, Dacia.

Initial details of the Twingo RS and the Koleos have been released recently. The Twingo will sport a 133bhp 1.6L engine in its compact little body which should firmly plant it in “pocket rocket” territory. Could this be the spiritual successor to the original Clio 16V?

The Koleos is Renault’s first proper crossover SUV. It shares much with its Nissan X-Trail cousin under the skin so expect similar powertrains and reasonable off road ability.

The start of the show could be the new Laguna GT with Renaultsport honed 4 wheel steer, further details of this vehicle will be available on Friday the 22nd of February.

The fourth vehicle is likely to be a concept car but news on this vehicle is scarce. Renault concept vehicles are usually striking though, so expect a show stopper for Geneva.



Press Release

RENAULT GROUP SET TO TAKE GENEVA MOTOR SHOW 2008 BY STORM
• Four Renault world debuts in Geneva: Twingo Renaultsport, Koleos, Laguna GT with four-wheel-steer chassis honed by Renaultsport, plus stunning concept car
• Pre-show details for Twingo Renaultsport and Koleos already revealed. Laguna GT preliminary information available on Friday 22nd February. Latest concept to be revealed at Renault Press conference (no advance information or photos will be released)
• Renault Press conference at 08:15 on 4th March, Stand 4130
• Dacia Press conference at 13:45 on 4th March, Stand 5030
Nearly two years into its growth plan, Renault Commitment 2009, the fruits of the Renault Group’s unprecedented product offensive continue relentlessly. Following a raft of unveilings at the Geneva and Frankfurt motor shows last year, the former will be the setting next month for no fewer than four new Renault world debuts, plus a major announcement regarding the future of its value brand, Dacia.
Initial details for two of the new Renault models at the show have already been released in recent weeks, namely the eagerly-anticipated Twingo Renaultsport and Koleos, the company’s first compact 4x4. Sharing the limelight will be the new ‘GT’ performance version of New Laguna, with its four-wheel-steer chassis honed by Renaultsport. Further details of this new sports-oriented upper-medium challenger will be released on Friday, 22nd February.
Completing the quartet will be arguably one of the company’s most striking and seductive concept cars. However, no preview information will be released. Following the unprecedented acclaim for the Laguna Coupé Concept at Frankfurt in October last year, the latest beauty to emerge from Renault Design is likely to prove the show-stealer in Switzerland. Like the car itself, details are being kept firmly under wraps until Press Day on 4th March.
Renault Group will be hosting two Press conferences on Tuesday 4th March. Patrick Blain, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, will host the Renault event, taking the covers off of the concept car at 08:15 CET on Stand 4130. Later in the day, a Dacia Press conference is scheduled for 13:45 CET on Stand 5030, which will be given by Béatrice Foucher, Product Director.