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French carmaker Renault has fallen back on its enviable Formula One reputation in an effort to reinvent itself in New Zealand, where it has struggled for sales for some time.
Its new distributor Motorcorp Distributors is using a go-fast hatchback built by Renault's motorsport division to kick-start a sales campaign and boost the marque's presence.
Renault is looking at around 160 sales in New Zealand in 2007, about half what its nearest French rival Citroen will sell.
Peugeot is the main French player and should finish 2007 with around 1200 sales.
Things are different in Europe, where Renault is the big name.
Its reputation is built on engineering safety, environmental developments and its motorsport success. It won the Formula One World Championship in 2005/06.
The NZ distributor's latest French connection is the Renault Megane Renaultsport F1 Team R26. It will be called the Megane R26.
The company's hero car is being built by the Renaultsport division at Dieppe to celebrate victory in the 2006 Formula One championship. R26 was the name of the car used by Renault last year.
The three-door hatchback is powered by a turbocharged 2-litre engine producing 169kW (230bhp) at 5500rpm and of 310Nm of torque at 3000rpm.
The 16-valve unit drives the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox and limited slip differential.
Renault claims the R26 sprints from zero to 100km/h in 6.5 seconds and has a combined fuel cycle of 8.5 litres/100km.
Underneath, the car gets stiffer front springs, increased rear damper travel, and bigger anti-roll bars front and rear. The Megane R26 and its 18-inch wheels is distinguishable from other Megane Renaultsport models like the five-door Sport RS 225 thanks to unique graphics on the bumpers, doors and roof and red brake callipers.
Inside, a numbered plate similar to that used on each F1 race car reinforces the exclusive character of the car. So do sports bucket seats.
The Megane Sport RS 225 uses a 165kW turbocharged 2-litre engine coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox. Depending on the model, the Megane range starts in price at $34,990 and continues to the coupe/cabriolet and new R26, both at $49,990.
Other Renault models could include the Clio RS hatchback, Scenic people mover, new Laguna station wagon, and Koleos all-wheel-drive wagon, which is built on the Nissan X-Trail platform.
