Newsletter # 12 16 June 2010

RENAULT Sport & A lpine EXPO

Brisbane – 9 July to 18 July 2010 What’s it all about? If you missed the earlier RSAE Newsletters and are wondering what

the RSAE is all about, please go to page 16.

Something Old – Renault 4CV/750

Something New – Renault Koleos

In the article on the Renault Nepta in Newsletter # 7, we asked the question: How do you get in?

I bet that you didn’t guess!! It is a stunning looking car, but I doubt the practicality of those doors. Still, with a show car that is not intended for production, practicality comes a very poor second to stunning appearance which the Nepta undoubtedly achieves!

Now, one more question: Who was Louise Berthe Magien?

For the answer, see Newsletter # 13!

June 2 (Reuters) - French carmaker Renault (RENA.PA) and its Japanese Partner Nissan (7201.T) should together become the world's third-biggest car manufacturer this year, Renault Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn told the Financial Times.

CYCLICAL CONSUMER GOODS

Ghosn was quoted as saying that he expected the global industry to make and sell 70 million light vehicles in 2010, a slight tweak to the 69-70 million forecast he gave at the Detroit Economic Club last week.

"Very likely this year, we should be in the top three," Ghosn said in the FT's Wednesday edition, predicting sales of nearly 7 million cars from Renault, Nissan and their Russian partner Avtovaz (AVAZ.MM). Renault would rank behind Germany's Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) and its Japanese partner Suzuki (7269.T), and Japanese carmaker Toyota (7203.T).

The auto industry is expected to benefit from strong demand from emerging markets this year. Ghosn said he expected consolidation between car makers to accelerate. "You don't know who's going to be jumping into the laps of who and when and for what reason, but that's going to happen," he was quoted as saying. (Reporting by Caroline Jacobs; Editing by Erica Billingha

The 'bling' era of massive wheels and tyres may soon be over How many of you, like me, run a car with low profile tyres? Yes? Well how many of you have bent a rim? , or two?, or three? or more? Well I must answer yes to those questions. I try to be careful but I have bent my RS Clio 172’s rims six times! The problem is this: – If you drive fast/hard on good roads these days, you are likely to be booked and ultimately lose your licence. So you seek out back roads which are both more challenging and have less surveillance. This is a great idea until you hit a pothole that seems to lurk where you least expect it. Result? - a bent rim, perhaps a ruined tyre and a repair cost of at least several hundred dollars. It wasn’t always like this. Way back in Jurassic period when I first started to drive, most cars had steel wheels, a few cars had wire wheels and only Bugattis and a few racing cars had alloy wheels. Nobody had low profile tyres. Michelin X (Stop Pattern) and Pirelli Cinturato had the lowest profile at about 80 – 83%. Most tyres had a profile of 95% to 100% and bent rims were rare, even though roads were much rougher than they are today. I often carried a hammer and some tyre levers as a kind of ‘on board rim repair kit’. Oh how much simpler things were in those far off days! Now we have cars with sidewall heights well below 100mm, driving round with two cans of gloop in the boot, instead of a full sized spare wheel. These days, a hammer and a couple of tyre levers wouldn’t fix a bent rim anyhow. These days, if you bend a rim and don’t have a spare, your car is likely to go home on the back of a truck! Well, relief may be in sight as Car Point’s Joshua Dowling reports below:

Car Point’s Joshua Dowling says - The ballooning size of car tyres could soon come to an end – and chances

are car enthusiasts aren't going to like the new alternative, unless they're into the Los Angeles low-rider scene.

With the number of motor vehicles on the world's roads set to double over the next 40 years, Michelin, one of the

world's biggest tyre producers, is worried that there may not be enough rubber to go around. Thus it has come up

with a whacky plan to develop undersized go-kart-style tyres that have the unfortunate effect of making a humble

hatchback look like something out of a cartoon.

The 10-inch diameter tyre weighs 25 per cent less than a regular tyre and uses one-third less material to make.

The example Michelin gave was this: if all the common hatchback tyres (175/65R14) on cars in Brazil were

replaced by its 175/70R10 wheel, it would save 728,000 tonnes of rubber and steel.

The Brazil example was no coincidence. Michelin show examples of the 'new' tyres at this week's Michelin

Bibendum energy conference in the South American nation. The tyres were demonstrated a pair of otherwise

identical Citroen hatchbacks.

The Carsales Network was let loose on the Nelson Piquet Autodrome racetrack to sample the difference. And we

can report that while the regular tyres felt more responsive and had more direct steering, to be frank, had it not

been for the back-to-back test, chances are most drivers wouldn't pick the difference.

Michelin claims that braking performance and cornering grip is the same as a regular tyre -- only the steering

feels different because of the taller sidewall.

"Whenever we introduce a new tyre technology that goes in a new direction, it must be the same or better

performance than what we currently have," says Michelin Vice President of Technical Communications, Pascal

Couasnon.

"We will not go backwards." So far, the tyres are only experimental and are some years away from going into

production. Indeed, Michelin only had one spare set for its test drive program.

Couasnon says the tyres have mainly been developed for use on city cars.

"I don't expect you will see these tyres on every type of car, but it is a possibility if there is not enough rubber to

go around then we need to find new ways to make sure everyone can still be driving on four wheels.

"Some people think the design looks unusual, but maybe they need to change the way they think about the appearance of tyres. At the end of the day it is for -- and dictated by -- the environment."

Targa Tasmania in an Alpine A110

By Ernst and Sonja Luthi

This year’s Targa Tasmania took place

between 27 April and 2 May. TT is a classic

tarmac rally in the style of the Targa Florio

(www.targatasmania.com.au). After missing

out on last year’s Targa, this time we were

ready and keen to tackle the challenge. The

A110 was joined by Andrew and Belinda

Collier’s R5 Turbo 2 who participated in the

Tour (no roll cage required and speeds

limited to an average of 130km/h on certain

road sections). The Tour is a great

opportunity to experience Targa Tasmania

without the costs in the competition class.

TT consists of 39 special stages on over

500km of closed roads and 1500km of touring stages in between. The longest stage is 55.2 km. This

year, 270 cars participated, from a Delage in the vintage section, to an Austin A30, Fiat Abarth, the

usual 911s in Classic and the BMWs, Alfas, EVOs, Subarus, and the mighty Lamborghini Galliardo in

Modern.

The event starts with the Prologue, where the starting sequence for the event is determined. The A110

performed nicely, but the crew only managed 2nd

last, showing our inexperience. At least we would be

back early each day, as the field runs in reverse order. Day one dawned very grey and overcast and the

heavens opened up just as we pulled up on the starting line. The wipers could hardly cope with the rain

and the driver had his own problems, so off we went into the ditch on stage one. Not the start we

expected. Fortunately there was no damage and after the field had passed two hours later, we got towed

out and continued on our journey. Except that we were now following the field instead of leading it.

After a long day and a car check up by a friendly service crew, we finally pulled into the parc ferme at

20.00.

The next day was brilliant and dry with no issues, the car and crew getting

to know each other, and the pace note calls falling into place. Day 3

contained the first of a series of mountain stages. The weather was

intermittent and the roads slippery, so the crew took it slowly. We finished

without further problems, something that could not be said about the wipers

(dead) or the alternator (dead too). So another favour was called in and the

regulator was replaced in 30 minutes - not bad considering it was late

afternoon. Day 4 was the longest day, with nearly 500km of driving, of

which 170km were on closed roads. This also included the longest mountain

stage (37.8 km), which we had to complete in the rain without wipers. Strange feeling at 130kph+, but

fortunately we had pace notes that told use what to expect. The crew was happy to arrive at the

overnight stop in one piece. The last day was supposed to be a leisurely cruise to the finish over only

340 km, including the longest stage (55.2 km). The day started dry but rain set in again on the 55.2 km

stage. However the crew survived and by lunch time the sun was out again. Only three more stages and

30km to go and it would all be over. SO we thought. But 3.44 km of 4 km into stage 37 of 39, the

accelerator cable decided to separate from the pedal and we came to a halt in a drive way. So instead of

a triumphant finish, we arrived on a tow truck an hour after the winner’s ceremony had started. Instead

of a trophy, a Did Not Finish. But at least we had no damage and had managed to complete nearly all

stages despite major mechanical and driving issues on the way. And we got much further than we did in

2009. Can’t wait till 2011!

A big thank you to Andrew & Belinda Collier, and Colin Fuller (A110 owner in Tasmania) for their

support.

HS: Colin Fuller’s beautiful A110 was featured in RSAE Newsletter#8!

The A110 on display in the Silverdome in Launceston.

Renault Latitude

Renault has recently provided the first glimpse of its latest international status-enhancing family

saloon, Renault Latitude, which is based on the Renault Samsung SM5. The photo below

illustrates its nicely balanced proportions, generous exterior dimensions and large boot.

Tailored to meet the demand of

its different markets, Renault

Latitude's specification will

deliver the car's different

customers a truly high-end

package that will position it as

the spearhead of international

Renault's saloon car range. It will

be shown at the forthcoming

Moscow Motor Show, Russia,

and is due to go on sale this

autumn in Asia, Africa, Russia,

Turkey, Gulf, Australia and Mexico.

Rudi Koenig is reported as saying that Latitude is under consideration to come to Australia next year.

European version of Renault Latitude will be one of the principal new attractions of the 2010 Paris

Motor Show where visitors will get a chance to examine its interior design, while full details of the

model's equipment lists and engines ranges will also be released.

Renault's engineering expertise

In addition to its generous exterior dimensions (length: 4.89m / width: 1.83m / height: 1.49m), Renault

Latitude boasts elegant, racy looks. The contours of the grille are flanked by distinctive bi-Xenon

adaptive directional headlights, while chrome embellishments contribute to the unmistakable impression

of dynamism and status exuded by the car's overall lines. Its rear-end forms point to ample boot space,

and the new car can effectively claim one of the biggest boots in its class. The rear lighting signature

employs LED technology and harmonizes perfectly with the chrome rear strip which carries the new

model's name: Renault Latitude

Based on the same architecture as New SM5, which was recently launched in the Korean market,

Renault Latitude profits extensively from Renault's engineering expertise. Occupants benefit from a

comfortable, silent ride, as well as a particularly precise chassis and a choice of powerplants that are

sure to give it a decisive edge over its rivals.

Full details coming soon!

The complete equipment list, which will be revealed at a later date, places the emphasis on innovation

and travelling comfort, including a dual-mode air ionizer with double fragrance diffuser, triple-zone

climate control, a massaging driver's seat, Bose Premium audio, the Renault hands-free card, etc.

Renault, Nissan eye Ssangyong takeover (AFP) – 07 June 2010

PARIS — Japan's Nissan and France's Renault Samsung Motors jointly submitted a letter of intent to

acquire Ssangyong Motor, the ailing South Korean automaker, a spokeswoman for the French group

said Monday.

"Nissan and RSM (Renault Samsung Motors) jointly submitted a letter of intent" to take over

Ssangyong, she told AFP. Renault Samsung Motors is a subsidiary of the Renault group, which holds

80 percent of the company.

Ssangyong announced on May 28 that seven companies had joined the race to acquire Ssangyong

Motor, without identifying them. The firm -- the country's smallest automaker -- has been under

bankruptcy protection since February 2009 after its former Chinese parent, Shanghai Automotive

Industry Corp, declined to pump in more funds.

Ssangyong said the bidders had submitted letters of intent to Macquarie Securities Korea, which is

advising on the deal. Renault-Nissan aims at aggressive sales targets.

Ketan Thakkar, June 8, 2010 (Mumbai)

The Renault Nissan Alliance knows it has to play catch up in the Indian car market and is now turning

on the heat. With large export orders as well as domestic demand to meet, sources in Nissan say the

existing capacity at the Chennai plant won’t be enough.

A few years down the line once Renault products also start rolling off its assembly line, would mean

that the Renault-Nissan alliance is aiming to hit its 400,000 unit target well ahead of the 2015 deadline.

To make that happen, the construction of a second assembly line at Chennai will begin in 2011.

Renault-Nissan alliance is working on bringing out a SUV on Nissan’s global V-platform and the Micra

is the first product from it. The V-platform will also spawn other variants like an MPV and Renault's

next generation Clio hatch. These will hit the market by 2013. Nissan is also examining the potential of

increasing its play in the SUV-crossover space with models like Murano, Qashqai, Juke and Note.

Nissan will also begin local assembly of its current imported models X Trail and Teana. And while

experts agree both Renault and Nissan are likely to hurt the market biggies Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai,

it is an inadequate network that will be the major chink in its armour. Nissan plans to take its reach to

over 100 locations by 2013 and it is the same target for alliance partner Renault. But as that network

falls into place can the limited number of dealers in the interim help achieve the aggressive sales

targets?

3 Seater Formula 1 car anybody>?

Below and on the following pages are some extracts from Keith Winser’s Australian ROAD TEST ANNUAL – 1961.

The Driving Centre at Norwell will be host to the RSAE Track Day on Monday 12 July

RSAE Track Day on Monday 12 July - The preliminary program for the day is:

8.00am - Arrive at Norwell, sign on and enjoy a cup of complimentary tea or coffee.

8.30am - Welcome by Renault Marketing Director, Sylvain Martin-Villa and others, plus briefing by Chief

Driving Instructor, Peter Bisley

9.00am - Form into groups to rotate at 45 min intervals around the following activities:

• Circuit training, with each group in a new Renault. Initially a Norwell Expert Instructor will

demonstrate safe and effective techniques applicable to both circuit and road driving. Each

member of the group will have the opportunity to drive around the circuit in a new Renault.

• ABS Brake and Steer, with each group again in new Renaults. Here you will learn the feel of ABS

in action and how to best use it to avoid accidents, both on the road and track. Each person will

have the opportunity to take the wheel of a new Renault for this segment!

• Skid Pan Competition: A circuit will be set out on the skidpan. Each participant will have the

chance to compete over three timed laps, driving a new RenaultSport Clio (probably). There will be

penalties levied for hitting the witch’s hats, but otherwise, the fastest time wins!!

• Small Track Exercise: Each participant will drive a new RenaultSport Clio (probably) for a timed

run around this tight track. That sounds easy? Well there are a couple of challenges – firstly, the

track is tighter than many go-kart tracks, and secondly, the Clio will have a wok mounted on the

bonnet, with a tennis ball inside. If the tennis ball comes out of the wok, you have to stop and put it

back in, all while the clock is still running! Smooth driving will win here!

• V8 Supercar Workshop Tour: The Norwell complex is used as a base by Paul Morris. The tour

will allow you to see what goes on in the building and race preparation of a V8 Supercar.

12.45pm - Lunch and presentation by Sylvain Martin-Villa and others. (We are still finalizing arrangements

for lunch, but we expect to be able to provide you with a good lunch at a moderate price)

1.45pm – Sprint and Regularity Session. Here you will have the opportunity to drive your car around the

circuit for either timed Sprint or Regularity Runs. There will be no racing as such, except against the clock

if you wish. If you don’t want to go fast, you can still participate in the Regularity Runs at your own pace.

4.30 – 5.00pm – Wrap up and Departure.

Bonus!! - We can’t promise it yet, but if you come to Norwell, you might just see a new unreleased RenaultSPORT model!

What is RSAE 2010 all about!

In June 2004, six members of the Renault Car Club of Queensland (RCCQ) attended the Alpine Recorde du Monde at Zolder racing circuit in Belgium. That event involved 667 RenaultSport, Gordinis, Alpines etc, from 52 car clubs and 16 different countries! With the Alpine Recorde du Monde as inspiration, the RCCQ held the very successful Renault Sport & Alpine Expo – 2005! We now plan an even larger event, the RSAE – 2010!

The Planned Itinerary for RSAE 2010 is:

• Friday 9 July – Welcome Function 7.00 – 9.00 pm. Your Registration Pack will include:

In this registration package you will find:-

Lanyard and name badge for each registrant.

Please wear your lanyard and name badge (including all entry and welcome drinks tickets) at all times

during the Expo.

Function tickets.

Included in the lanyard are:-

Two tickets for each registrant for a welcome glass of wine, soft drink or a beer at the

Friday night Welcome.

If prepaid one ticket per registrant for attendance at the day run luncheon.

One ticket for each registrant for a welcome glass of wine, soft drink or a beer at the Saturday Night

Gala Dinner.

One ticket for attendance and welcome glass of wine, soft drink or a beer for each EXTRA person

registered to attend the Gala Dinner on Saturday night.

A RSAE 2010 sticker which entitles the registrant’s car entry to the Grand Display of French Cars

One ticket for each registrant to attend the Pizza/Wine farewell on Sunday afternoon/evening.

.

Other inclusions are:-

Registration receipt

If ordered, one Polo shirt

Programme detailing events, time, date and location

Route instructions for day Saturday

Auction catalogue

Layout for photo shoot on Saturday morning

Voting paper for entrant’s choice for most popular car at Expo

Renault Pen

Renault desk memo holder

Other goodies

It is important you check the contents to be satisfied that they are correct.

If there are any issues or problems please raise them with the Registration Desk and we will try to solve

them as quickly as possible.

The Committee wishes you all the best as you attend the RSAE 2010. We are sure you will have an

enjoyable and rewarding weekend as you experience the fellowship, interesting speaker and wonderful

hospitality of the RCCQ, Brisbane.

For registrants who are travelling to Sydney on Tuesday there will be a briefing and distribution of road

maps at the Sunday farewell.

• Saturday 10 July – Scenic Drive on

some picturesque and challenging SE Qld roads with an official assembly photo shoot and lunch at beautiful Binna Burra Mountain Lodge in the Mount Lamington National Park. The photo to the right shows Purlingbrook Falls, where we will have a morning tea stop.

• Saturday 10 July Evening – Gala

Dinner 7 pm Robertson Gardens - includes an interesting guest speaker and a Renault memorabilia auction.

• Sunday 11 July – A Grand Display of French Cars starting at 9:30 am at Brookfield

Pony Club Showgrounds, followed by a casual dinner for RSAE participants. Optional additional events are:

• Monday 12 July – Track Day at ‘The Driving Centre’ at Norwell. The following activities will be available before lunch: * Safety Training on Skid-pan * Circuit training lead by experienced racing drivers * ABS braking training * Short circuit novelty event * Tour of V8 Supercar workshop In the afternoon, this will be followed by the opportunity to drive your car on this

interesting 2 km circuit for timed or regularity laps – What a day!! Thanks to generous sponsorship from RENAULT AUSTRALIA, the cost for the whole day is only $50* per person. Thanks also to Jamie Cartwright of Cartwright Motor Group for the provision of cars and other sponsorship.

*Does not include lunch * Cost for first 50 registrants only. Late registrations may attract a late fee!

To put the cost of the day into perspective, the cost of our morning’s activities at Norwell would normally be $199 per person. You pay one quarter that price and get the Sprint and Regularity Session as a bonus!!

• Tuesday 13 to Friday 16 July – Transit to Sydney along some interesting back roads. • Friday 16 July – Dinner with our colleagues from Renault Car Club of Australia

(RCCA). • Saturday 17 July – Day run in the Sydney environs followed by dinner, again kindly

organized by our colleagues from the RCCA. • Sunday 18 July – Participation in the Sydney All French Car Day.

You don’t have to have the latest RenaultSPORT to participate in RSAE 2010 - ANY Renault will do, or just an interest in Renault. Everybody is welcome!!

However, we do NOT expect any of the F1 modified Renault Espaces to make it along to RSAE 2010, although they would be very welcome!

We do, however, expect a few Megane 2 Cabriolets like the one pictured above!

Interested?

RSAE is only three weeks away, so ………

PLEASE REGISTER STRAIGHT AWAY.

Please complete a Registration Form and send it to us as soon as possible. If you are interested in RSAE 2010 and want more information, please get in touch. Also, determine your work/holiday plans & make your accommodation bookings early. It may help to keep an eye on the various forums, including: http://renaultinaus.17.forumer.com/

http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=1864981&da=y

http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/1936651/rsae-2010-flyer-3-pdf-may-28-2010-8-04-pm-182k?da=y

To provide everyone with regular updates and Newsletters on RSAE 2010, we need your name and email address!!

Questions? Contact us at ‘enquiry@renaultclubqld.com.au’ or telephone Ian Both (07) 3279 0509 or Phil Harrison (0419 885513).

RSAE 2010 - the best RENAULT event in

Australia ever.

, PLE

it to Australia soon!