mikeyb
07-14-2005, 09:25 AM
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="90%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=text11><TABLE class=featuretopimage cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width=175 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2>http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/R/renault/Clio%20Sport%20V6%20255/02-medium/2004_f3q_a.jpg</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Renault has confirmed that production of the Clio V6 255 will cease at the end of this month in advance of the launch of the all-new Clio range in October. The V6, with its mid-mounted 3.0-litre engine and outrageous bodykit, was first launched in 2001 with a 230bhp output; updated 255bhp versions made their debut last year. Built in the former Alpine factory in Dieppe at the rate of just two a day, the V6 was most popular in the UK, where around half - around 600 - have been sold.
Renault has indicated that there will be no direct replacement for this model, but its Renaultsport division is working on an all-new compact high-performance coupe, for which the legendary Alpine nameplate could be revived - check out our earlier News story linked below for more on this.
Renault has also announced this week that it increased its worldwide sales by 3.6 percent to 1,355,621 vehicles in the first half of 2005, and that it now holds a 4.2 percent share of the world's car market. It holds 10.8 percent of the market in Western Europe, where it is the best-selling brand, and outside Western Europe, its sales rose by 16.8 percent. It currently holds a 7.5 percent share of the UK car market, behind Ford and Vauxhall. The company expects sales to "accelerate" in the second half of this year, boosted by the launch of the third-generation Clio and the wider availability of the budget Logan (sold as a Dacia) in global markets. The Megane is the best-selling car in Western Europe, and the best-seller in France, Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands and Portugal. However, the Ford Focus is still the best-selling car in the UK, where Ford is the most popular brand, holding 15.1 percent of the market.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-story.jsp?news_id=12634
Renault has indicated that there will be no direct replacement for this model, but its Renaultsport division is working on an all-new compact high-performance coupe, for which the legendary Alpine nameplate could be revived - check out our earlier News story linked below for more on this.
Renault has also announced this week that it increased its worldwide sales by 3.6 percent to 1,355,621 vehicles in the first half of 2005, and that it now holds a 4.2 percent share of the world's car market. It holds 10.8 percent of the market in Western Europe, where it is the best-selling brand, and outside Western Europe, its sales rose by 16.8 percent. It currently holds a 7.5 percent share of the UK car market, behind Ford and Vauxhall. The company expects sales to "accelerate" in the second half of this year, boosted by the launch of the third-generation Clio and the wider availability of the budget Logan (sold as a Dacia) in global markets. The Megane is the best-selling car in Western Europe, and the best-seller in France, Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands and Portugal. However, the Ford Focus is still the best-selling car in the UK, where Ford is the most popular brand, holding 15.1 percent of the market.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-story.jsp?news_id=12634