Renault Wind a Compact, Inventive, Fun to Drive Coupe-Roadster

BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT, FRANCE – June 28, 2010: Renault Wind and its unique, electric, rotating-roof concept bring a breath of fresh air to the world of open-top motoring.

“Renault Wind extends the brand’s range with a new model wholly dedicated to the pleasure of its occupants inviting them to enjoy an alternative way of driving. Through its concept and the technology it employs, Renault Wind is an ingenious illustration of Renault’s new brand signature, ‘Drive the Change’”

Renault Wind targets customers looking for a compact everyday car and, as a two-seat coupé-roadster with a length of 3.83 meters, it slots into the Renault range between Twingo and Clio. Thanks to its ingenious, electrically-operated roof system, which pivots open in just 12 seconds, Renault Wind boasts unprecedented versatility: in the lowered position, the roof panel rests above the boot, meaning that boot volume is always 270 dm3 VDA, whether the roof is up or down.

Renault Wind has head-turning looks. Its blue-tinged gaze, muscular profile and rear-end forms, give it an emphatically modern profile. Unique styling details include the roof-cover cowls, chrome exterior door mirror housings and badging on the side which recalls the rotational movement of the roof-opening mechanism.

Meanwhile, there is an unmistakable ‘cockpit’ feel about the interior. The instruments are reminiscent of the world of motorbikes, the sport seats feature integrated head rests, while the low-set driving position and sporty layout of the controls are typical of roadsters.

The expertise of Renault Sport Technologies (R.S.T) in the realm of motoring enjoyment needs no introduction, and Renault Wind has benefited extensively from the expertise of R.S.T’s engineers. The new coupé-roadster is built on the same platform as Clio 2 R.S., and its chassis is perfectly suited to the power outputs of the two engines that are available for the car, the TCe 100 and the 1.6 16V 133hp.

One of the chief accomplishments of R.S.T’s engineers is the fact that they have achieved the best weight to body-rigidity ratio for a coupé-roadster, allowing Renault Wind owners to profit from an outstanding ride plus very low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Renault Wind takes full advantage of Renault's expertise in the fields of active and passive safety too, while the excellence of its chassis and its powerful brakes ensure exceptionally reassuring handling. Renault Wind will go on sale in July 2010 in the United Kingdom and Slovenia, and from September in its other western European markets.