Pictures of the Renault Alpine A110-50 supercar have leaked onto the internet, giving you a preview of what to expect at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix when the car is publicly unveiled. 

Much of the car is similar to the Renault DeZir concept that debuted at the 2010 Paris Auto Show, but round air intakes between the headlights and above the windshield pay tribute to the 1960′s era original A110 with its rounded mid-bumper headlights.

Originally rumored to be built on the Nissan GT-R platform, it’s now said that the car will be built on a tube-frame Megane Trophy race car with a 400-hp Nissan VQ V6.

Further details are still unavailable, but the host of new pictures at least confirms that the car seen at the start of the week was, in fact, the car that will appear this weekend.

GALLERY: Renault Alpine A110-50

Initially rumored to be based on a Nissan GT-R, the Renault Alpine has been reborn and a lone photo has leaked ahead of the sports car’s planned debut at the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend.

New reports suggest the car is actually based on a tube-frame Megane Trophy race car while using a 400 hp Nissan VQ V6.

Styling for the modern-era Alpine is familiar, borrowing heavily from the Renault DeZir concept, which first bowed at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.

While no details are yet available, the car is expected to deliver performance through light weight, though it won’t be a stripped down machine.

Celebrating 50 years since the original Renault Alpine was created, look for more exciting details and photos as we approach the weekend’s race in Monaco.

All forms of motorsports are dangerous, but rally is more so with races sometimes occurring in tight, windy roads in a natural environment. That means trees and lakes are always by a race car’s side, and so are spectators.

Out at the 2012 Mazowiecki Rally, a Renault Clio flipped over and landed into a lake upside-down, trapping both driver and passenger under water. And unlike traditional forms of motorsports, race officials in rally races aren’t everywhere, and can’t be anywhere quickly, which meant driver Patrick Osowiecki and navigator Maciej Wrona were strapped into their bucket seats taking in water.

Thankfully their spectators had no reservations in hopping into the lake to save the driver and passenger. Several fans quickly jumped in helping Osowiecki and Wrona get free from what could’ve been a worse situation.

Watch the dramatic rescue after the break.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

[Source: YouTube]

Since Renault and Nissan formed a strategic alliance in 1999, the two companies have made tremendous strides in streamlining their business, with sales performances significantly improving for both companies.

To further its efforts, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announced today that it will establish a new company, Renault Japon Co., Ltd., to import and sell Renault vehicles in Japan.

While Nissan Trading Co. was originally responsible for Renault operations in Japan, the decision to form Renault Japon was based on the need to establish a flexible management system that is able to make quick marketing decisions. Renault Japon will operate as a subsidiary of Nissan Motor Co., working closely with Nissan’s sales strategy.

The Renault Twizy is a small electric city car which is ideal for personal transportation in an urban environment, and will be available to drive without the need for a license – overseas in the UK.

The small car is a few inches shorter than a Smart Fortwo, which means that it is actually classified by the UK government as a small quadricycle, rather than a full size car. This means that any person who is 16 years old an up will be able to pilot the Twizy without a license, a novel idea which may help this car sell much better. This stipulation as it stands is only available to Twizy owners in the UK, and will probably not spread to other countries.

The government is still ironing out the details for licensing on the Twizy. “There are still details to be finalised by the government, and there will be a basic practical and theory test involved,” says Andy Heiron, head of EV programme at Renault UK.

The only large issue that still remains is insurance, as an unlicensed 16 year old is generally not regarded as the safest of drivers and will therefore pay a large amount to insure the vehicle.

Is the idea of a small city car that doesn’t require a license a good one? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

[Source: AutoCar]

Four-time Formula 1 champion Alain Prost is officially becoming the brand ambassador for French automaker Renault, the company announced today.

“Renault’s history is intimately linked to that of motorsport and I have a deep attachment to the brand, with which I achieved some of the greatest successes in my sporting career,” Alain Prost said. “I accepted this mission with pleasure and I intend to accomplish it with professionalism.”

Serving as a brand ambassador, Prost will take part in sports demonstrations and use his technical expertise to represent the brand at various events.

His history with the company goes all the way back to 1976 when he became the Formula Renault French champion. That relationship with the company continued in an on-again off-again basis until 1983 when he placed second in Formula 1 drivers’ championship.

Ten years later he became the world champion Formula 1 driver with Williams-Renault. Most recently he drove to a 2012 victory in Trophée d’Andros at the wheel of Dacia Lodgy “Glace”.

As an aside, some may find it surprising that Prost accepted the role after his less than favorable portrayal in Senna, the 2010 documentary that chronicled the decade during which Ayrton Senna arrived in Formula 1 racing. In the movie, Prost is portrayed as a Machiavellian win-at-all-cost racer. It’s interesting that Prost would come back to work with Renault after having been shown in such an unsavory fashion.

GALLERY: Alain Prost

Renault-Nissan and Daimler have announced the joint engine production of Mercedes-Benz 4-cylinder engines at Nissan’s Decherd, Tennessee, plant beginning 2014.

According to the press release, this marks the first ever production of a Mercedes-Benz engine within the North America Free Trade region.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Daimler Board of Management and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said, “In the context of our Mercedes-Benz 2020 growth strategy, we have decided that we will expand the production capacities required for this close to the customers. Through the strategic extension of our cooperation with Renault-Nissan, we can realize near-market engine production in the NAFTA region on attractive economic terms and make optimum use of synergies arising from cooperation. Thus, we are systematically broadening our manufacturing footprint in this important growth market.”

Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn adds, “This is the newest milestone on our pragmatic collaboration and our most significant project outside of Europe so far. Localized capacity reduces exposure to foreign exchange rates while rapidly enabling a good business development in North America– a win-win for the Alliance and Daimler.”

Nissan  first began to assemble engines in Decherd, Tennessee, in 1997. Currently manufacturing 4-, 6-, and 8-cylinder engines for the North American produced Nissan and Infiniti products, Decherd has produced more than 580,000 engines in 2011. Production capacity of the Mercedes-Benz 4-cylinder could potentially reach 250,000 engine units per year once full ramp-up is achieved.

Renault is looking to take a step back in order to take two steps forward, looking to discontinue at least five models from their UK lineup in February. At the top of the list of vehicles getting killed off are the Laguna hatchback, Sport Tourer and Coupe, along with the Espace and Grand Espace, Modus and Grand Modus, Wind Roadster and Kangoo.

Those models make up almost 10-percent of Renault’s total sales in the United Kingdom. No direct replacements will be coming for the discontinued Modus, Laguna or Espace models, but Renault is working on new crossovers of all sizes to take their place. A supermini-SUV will debut in 2013 to go along with their Clio model, while the larger crossovers will debut in 2014.

Renault is well aware that the cuts will result in a drop in total sales figures for 2012, but looks forward to a subsequent rise in 2013. Renault will also be reducing its dealer network from 190 to 135 by the start of 2013. On the other hand, Renault’s Twingo, Clio and Megane hot hatches – sold as RS and Gordini badged variants – will be saved from the axe. The UK represents the single largest market for those vehicles, and the most exciting Renaults have solidified their place in the lineup if anything.

[Source: AutoExpress]

You might find it strange, but in Europe when automakers release a new model, they don’t always retire the old one.

That’s the case with Fiat‘s Panda 2, which will now run under the new “Panda Classic” title. Fiat debuted the new model at last September’s Geneva Motor Show, where it seemed likely the old model would be discontinued.

Rather than doing that, Fiat decided to repurpose the old Panda as an entry-level competitor to other low-cost cars according to a story reported in an Italian automotive news publication.

The Panda Classic will serve as competition for the Dacia Logan, which is gaining ground in the Italian market quickly. The Fiat comes at a higher cost than the Renault sedan, but it also saves on engineering a new car. Despite the higher cost, the Panda Classic still enjoys a solid reputation in Italy as an established and popular vehicle.

[Source: Left Lane News]

Robert Kubica, one of Formula One’s most promising young drivers, will sit out the start of the 2012 F1 season as he continues to recover from a crash that partially severed his arm.

While Kubica is making a recovery, the pace is not as rapid as some had hoped for. Kubica can move his arm, but it remains unknown whether he is physically fit enough to drive a Formula One car at this time.

Kubica was driving a Skoda rally car in an Italian race when he crashed into a barrier that penetrated his car and nearly sliced off his arm. Kubica was replaced before the start of the 2011 season by Nick Heidfeld and Bruno Senna. Renault will have to look for a replacement for 2012, but says that Kubica has a test car and a crew of mechanics at his disposal when he is ready to return.

Hit the jump to see the official press release

Robert Kubica to miss start of 2012 Season
Enstone, 23rd November 2011

Robert Kubica has today informed Lotus Renault GP that, despite having started an intensive training programme, it is still too early for him to commit to driving in the 2012 championship. Robert’s progress remains impressive – he can now walk freely, and move his hand and elbow -, but he feels that he needs more time to return to full fitness.

Lotus Renault GP remains committed to helping Robert as much as possible in his recovery process. A test car is ready and waiting for him, and a dedicated crew is on stand-by. Of course, Robert will remain a member of the LRGP family in 2012 and he is already, through his management, holding talks about renewing his contract for the following season.

Although very disappointed by the news, Lotus Renault GP will start assessing its options and will evaluate the most suitable candidate to drive from the first 2012 winter testing session. Once again, all the members of Lotus Renault GP wish Robert a full and speedy recovery as we say: “Szybkiego powrotu do zdrowia” – Get well soon our friend.

Robert Kubica: “Even if I’ve been working very, very hard over the course of the last few weeks, I came to the conclusion that I am not yet certain to be ready for the 2012 season. I have called the team and I have informed them of the situation. This was a difficult decision to make, but it is the most reasonable one. I also know that LRGP need to prepare for next year, and further extending deadlines would not have been the right thing to do. On a personal level, my recovery is still very encouraging and my doctors keep being impressed. I just need more time, as I want to be 100% ready before I commit to anything driving related. Finally, I regret not having been able to provide more news and not having appeared in the papers, and I thank my friends of the media for understanding that this has been the best way for me to cope with what has been the most difficult period of my life.”

Eric Boullier, Managing Director and Team Principal: “Everybody in the team is, of course, very disappointed today. Robert not driving in Australia at the start of next season is not what we were all hoping for. However, he has taken a very mature decision, acting in the best interests of Lotus Renault GP. As a team and as a family, we remain 100% behind him and we’ll help as much as we can. A programme composed of simulator testing, single-seater and F1 track time is awaiting him. In the meantime, we will start talking to a few drivers in order to finalise our line-up for next year as soon as possible. Robert will take it step by step and will jump back in his racing car when he feels it is the right moment to do so. On behalf of all 520 members of the team, I wish him a speedy recovery.”

Renault is in development of an ultra low-cost vehicle, along the lines of the Tata Nano. While the Nano is currently suffering from some awful sales numbers (initial projection of 20,000 a month but only saw 1,200 units sold in September), CEO of Renault/Nissan Carlos Ghosn is convinced that an extremely affordable vehicle would be a good segment for Renault to venture into when approaching emerging markets.

According to reports from La Tribune, Gérard Detourbet, the head of Renault’s low-cost division, will be responsible in developing an engine and platform for a vehicle next year that will have a starting price of 2,500€ ($3,300). While Renault is already offering multiple low-cost vehicles in Brazil, it is possible that the new car will not wear a Renault badge, but the badge of sub-brand Dacia (seen above) instead.

[Source: Left Lane News]

Mercedes-Benz is rethinking their line of Smart cars and will bring the ForFour, a four door, four passenger vehicle, to American consumers by 2015.

That choice, among others, came after Mercedes-Benz took over distribution of the brand in the U.S. last July. They also plan to scrap the current FourTwo (above) in favor of a new model developed in partnership with Renault, which will share the platform with their Twingo, though the new version won’t be available until 2014.

The 2012 FourTwo Electric will also get an improved interior and new lithium ion batteries from Deutsche Accumotive GmbH, a joint venture between Daimler and Evonik Industries.

[Source: Automotive News]