Rounding off the new Megane family is the Coupe-Cabriolet that was formally introduced today ahead of its world premiere at next month’s Geneva Salon. Like its predecessor, the new Megane CC is a two door model with an electric folding top that’s mostly covered in smoked glass

The French carmaker claims the Megane CC’s transparent glazed area of 0.47 sq. metres is the largest in the segment that includes cars like the Pininfarina-styled Ford Focus CC and the Peugeot 308 CC.

The four-seater convertible version of the new Megane also gets a fixed glass wind deflector located behind the back seat headrests that is said to allow draft-free driving at speeds of up to 90km/h or 56mph.

The fully-automatic, electro-hydraulic operated two-piece glass top goes up or down in 21 seconds at the press of a button with the Megane CC’s boot capacity standing at 417 litres with the roof closed, and 211 litres when open.

Depending on the market, the new Megane Coupe-Cabriolet will be available with a choice of up to seven gasoline and diesel powertrains.

The petrol line includes a 110HP 1.6-liter unit linked to a six-speed manual, a 1.4-liter TCe turbo with 130HP matted to a six-speed manual and a 140HP 2.0-liter with a CVT.

Diesel options include the 110HP dCi matted to either a new 6-speed dual clutch automatic transmission or to 6-speed manual gearbox and the 130HP dCi and 160HP dCi that both drive the front wheels through a six-speed manual.

European sales of next generation Megane Coupe-Cabriolet will begin this spring.

Boasting one of the longest names in the auto biz, the Renault Twingo Gordini RenaultSport marks the revival of the Gordini badge that will soon find its place on all RenaultSport products. Despite the sporty heritage of Gordini, these models will not carry any engine or chassis upgrades with improvements limited to the cars’ styling. Now, what’s the French word for ‘lame’?

The first Gordini product is based on the Renault’s pocket-rocket, the Twingo RenaultSport 133 that’s powered by a 1.6-liter four-pot with 133 horsepower.

On the outside, the upmarket Gordini is distinguished by the traditional blue metallic finish with two white racing stripes. A closer look reveals that the bumpers are enhanced by gloss black centre sections, while the fog lamp surrounds, exterior door mirror housings and rear tailgate spoiler are trimmed in a contrasting white finish.

A set of 17-inch alloy wheels with a polished face and a choice of the inner rim finished in either blue or black complete the exterior package.

Moving on into the cabin, Renault says that the sport seats are now trimmed in blue and black leather with the same colors making their appearance on the door panel inserts, leather steering wheel and instrument panel..

Furthermore, there’s a blue gearlever gaiter and Gordini-badged gearlever knob and a leather trimmed dashboard cowl.

Along with the styling additions, the Renault Twingo Gordini RenaultSport gains extra standard equipment including automatic climate-control, automatic headlamp activation, automatic wiper activation, cruise control, fully disconnectable ESP and an upgraded MP3 audio system.

The first Gordini model will make its physical debut on January 10 at the Atelier Renault on the Champs-Elysées, with sales set to begin across Europe in March.

200. That’s a mighty big number for such a tiny car, but it’s the horsepower figure that Renaultsport’s latest hot hatch packs beneath its bonnet. And while it may be only three measley horses more than the 197 version on which it’s based and replaces, Renault’s performance and motorsport division has worked to improve the aerodynamics and cut weight to make each one count more.

Complimenting the mid-cycle revised styling of the entire Clio range, the Clio RS 200 and 200 Cup benefit from Renault’s Formula One program, with which the French automaker attributes the aerodynamic expertise implemented on its latest hot hatch. Air passes over the front splitter to feed the the revised 200-hp, 2.0-liter 16-valve four-cylinder engine, but it also goes underneath to the flat rear bottom and exits the fully functional rear diffuser. The design also pushes air around the wider front fenders, past the side vents and around the widened track to give the new Clio RS its performance edge. The aerodynamic enhancements gives the car an even meaner look, while customers can choose from a wider variety of look-at-me colors, contrasting with either black or anthracite-finish trim.

Inside it’s all business: the compact steering wheel has perforated leather trim with a yellow strip to show when it’s centered, and Recaro racing buckets are available along with leather upholstery. Unfortunately the car isn’t available Stateside, but across the pond the new Clio Renaultsport 200 starts selling next month at £16,570, while hardcore enthusiasts can save a bit and get the even more focused, stripped-down Cup version for £15,750.

We just received these new photos of the Megane RenaultSport (RS) 250 finished in gunmetal grey and white in our e-mail. We could have probably performed the color change on the initial pictures of the Megane RS 250 in canary yellow with a little help from photoshop, but why get into all that trouble. There’s nothing new to add about Renault’s Golf GTI adversary that is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-pot delivering a promising 250HP other than that we really dig its dramatic -for a hot hatch, that is- looks.

Aimed squarely towards the VW Golf GTI and the Ford Focus ST, the new Megane Renaultsport 250 made its world premiere in Geneva. The hottest version of the Megane comes with a new-generation two-liter 16-valve turbocharged petrol engine producing 250hp at 5,500rpm and peak torque of 340Nm from 3,000rpm. That’s an increase of 25hp and 40Nm over the outgoing Megane R26. Power is transferred to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.

Under the skin, the new Megane Renaultsport 250 has inherited the same suspension arrangement as the current version. Like the Renaultsport variants of the Clio and Twingo ranges, the Megane is available with a choice of two chassis, the standard sport chassis or the Cup chassis, which comes with a limited slip differential for even greater traction. Equally importantly, the hot Megane is equipped with an ESP (electronic stability control) that is fully disconnectable.

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