Avantime for a party
We’re big fans of the Renault Avantime here on PetrolBlog, so when Rob Griggs-Taylor was invited to the tenth anniversary of the car’s launch, we couldn’t resist popping along. Here’s Rob’s report from the day.
On an overcast and slightly damp day I ambled round the corner of Coventry Transport Museum and was faced with the sight of two rows of Renault Avantimes gathered in front of the building, facing the amazing Whittle Arches. Twenty eight cars along with their owners and friends had gathered to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the car’s launch. Read more 
Old Gold Top Gear: Renault 19 and 21
It’s been two weeks since the last episode of PetrolBlog’s Old Gold Top Gear, so to make up for lost time, this week’s video features not one, but two Renaults. Not only that, but you’re also treated to an appearance from William Woollard and Chris Goffey. Call it an early Easter present from PetrolBlog. Read more
PetrolBlog Car of the Year 2011
Perhaps I underestimated the scale of the task in choosing a winner of the PetrolBlog Car of the Year 2011? But having dreamt up the new PetrolBlog Score as a way of benchmarking the cars in question, I then had the less than enviable task of compiling the list of candidates. Yes, I know it’s now mid-March, making PetrolBlog the last website in the world to announce its car of the year from 2011, but at least I’ve had time to give it the overnight test. Or several overnight tests. Read more
Electric Shatchback: Renault Fluence Z.E Dynamique
The 14th of February 2012 was the day I finally got to drive an electric car. Yes, PetrolBlog has propelled itself into the 21st century by experiencing what some people predict is the future of motoring.
That point is debatable of course. There are alternative fuels in development and electric cars have some way to go before they can be considered a realistic alternative to the internal combustion engine. Not only are the cars costly to buy, but there just isn’t the infrastructure to support a nation of electric cars. What’s more, the charging time and the anticipated range of an average electric car just isn’t enough to satisfy most drivers.
But like it or not, electric cars are becoming more common place and can now be seen as just another model in a manufacturer’s range of vehicles. In a relatively short space of time, they’ve gone from being the slightly eccentric uncle in the corner to the perfect dinner party guest. Read more
Practical magic: Renaultsport Twingo, Clio & Mégane
I must be the only person in the civilised world not to have seen one of the Harry Potter films. I haven’t even read any of the books.
Until now, this has never caused me any real problems. In fact, it’s only dinner parties where my lack of Potter knowledge has caused any real concern. As the subject invariably comes around to the latest ‘soopa-doopa’ Harry Potter and the Deathly Half-Pint movie, I’m forced to either miss 20 minutes of riveting conversation or nod my head gormlessly in a manner that would do John Redwood proud at a Welsh National Assembly meeting. Read more
And the Shatchback of the Year 2011 is…
Drum roll please. After a frantic few days of voting, the readers of PetrolBlog have voted with their feet and really stuck the boot in. I’m therefore pleased to announce that the winner of the Golden Boot and therefore Shatchback of the Year 2011 is… Read more
Richard’s VW Polo GTI: Good Times Imminent?
Another guest blogger on PetrolBlog? This is becoming quite a habit. A good habit of course and at least it stops me flooding the interweb with yet more waffle. This time I’m delighted to welcome Mr Richard Gooding of the rather excellent PoloDriver.com. A Volkswagen fan of many years, Rich Gooding has just taken the first step on the GTI ownership ladder, buying a 2001 Polo GTI. Why did he choose the hot shot Polo and what does an early example of VW’s smaller iconic-badged hatchback offer? Read more
Duncan McVitie remembers the Renault Avantime
More words from Duncan McVitie, this time on the brilliant PetrolBlog favourite, the Renault Avantime. Over to you, Duncan.
“How is Ming the Merciless these days?” asked the cashier in the filling station. “Eh?” was my reply. As usual, I was the epitome of eloquence. He pointed to the car sitting at pump six. “That spaceship on wheels is yours, isn’t it?” I nodded. “Well, in that case you must be Buck Rogers.” I gave him a non-commital grunt, paid for the fuel and walked back to my car, a Renault Avantime, wishing that the standard equipment list had included a ray gun for use against smart arses. Read more
The Fuego rises from the flames
Back in April 2010, I asked the question, What ever happened to the Renault Fuego? I knew they were endangered, but I had no idea they were on the verge on extinction. But now, thanks to the ever-brilliant How Many Left? website, I know that, aside from the GTS model, the number of different Fuegos left on British roads doesn’t even make double figures. Situation critical for the Fuego then? Read more
Bangerwatch: Renault 11 Turbo
French performance cars from the 1980s just look better when they’re painted black and come complete with yellow fog lights. Throw in a red pinstripe around the plastic bits and add some shouty red decals and we may as well be in petrolhead heaven.
Not since the Renault Fuego Turbo have we seen such gloriously over-the-top side decals on a car.
I therefore give you, the Renault 11 Turbo.
Real World Reviews: Renault Vel Satis
In the latest Real World Review, Oliver Hammond gives a rather brilliant account of his Renault Vel Satis, a car he’s owned for three years. A true ‘Marmite’ car, I have to say that I fall into the ‘love’ category for simple fact that Renault dared to be different. Along with the Avantime, the Vel Satis represents a radical and bold statement and I for one applaud them for it. Just a shame that the rest of the public weren’t so welcoming. Whenever I see one on the road, I’m amazed at how large these things are. The photos give no clue to the huge proportions of the Vel Satis. I saw one recently on the A303 alongside Stonehenge and I could have sworn it cast a shadow over the stones! Read more
Shatchbacks IV: Salvation
Something has been troubling me recently – I’ve had the feeling that something is missing from PetrolBlog. Not the usual problem of a lack of Hobnobs, but a serious problem all the same.
Then it dawned on me – there hasn’t been a Shatchback update for six months. Read more
Whatever happened to…the Renault 9
Robert Opron designed some of the greatest French cars of the 1970s and 1980s. Actually scrub that, Robert Opron designed some of the greatest cars of all time. Period. A man could quite easily retire a hero having penned the designs for the Citroën SM and playing a major role in that of the Citroën DS. He was also responsible for the timeless elegance of Citroën’s less desirable but no less interesting CX and GS. As far as Citroën goes then, it is very much a case of job done Monsieur Opron. Read more
Shatchbacks 3: The Rise of the Machines
When I first wrote of my irrational hatred of Shatchbacks, I fully expected to be singled out as a little strange. Some people choose to despise 4x4s. Some people chose to take a dislike of BMW X6s; and X5s; and X3s; and X1s. Quite right too. But for me, the biggest horror on our roads is the booted hatchback. A group of cars so hideous that they’re becoming known as Shatchbacks. Read more
Whatever happened to…the Renault Fuego
As is becoming the trend for PetrolBlog, my earliest memories of this week’s forgotten hero stem from my childhood. Back in 1980, I believed that the world ended on the south coast of England and that English was the only language spoken. As such, I wrongly referred to the Renault Fuego as the Renault ‘Few-Go’. For years I lived in blissful ignorance of my mispronunciation whilst the motoring world pointed at me and mocked me for my foolishness. How was I to know that there was a land called Spain and in this land, the word Fuego translated to fire? But in a sad twist of irony for the Fuego, while I’m now old enough to pronounce the name, there are only a ‘few’ left in the UK today. So less ‘Few-Go’ and more ‘Few-Gone’ then? Read more
Whatever happened to…the Renault 12
I’d clean forgotten about the Renault 12 until approximately 8.57pm on Saturday 10th April 2010. A Twitter-based discussion over the Triumph Dolomite veered off in the direction of old Renaults. Then, a small debate over the existence of the Renault 13 led me into the virtual path of the Renault 12, a car that has long since left the filing cabinet in my head. But now it is back. Read more
Achtung! Renault 11 Electronic
Remember the Renault 11? The topless car in ‘A View to a Kill’ and the French firm’s family car for pretty much the whole of the 80s. Read more
