More special editions from Renault, who this time is introducing the ‘XV de France’ models based on the Clio and Megane.
The Renault Clio and Megane XV de France will be available in coupe, hatch and estate body styles, with the Clio beeing based on the Dynamique TomTom trim level, while the Megane derives from the Dynamique.
Both the Renault Clio and Megane XV de France feature the unique Marron Glance paint finish, a new set of alloys, and the French Rugby Federation logo on the front wings.
At the interior the Renault Clio XV de France received the climate pack, an 80 Watt CD MP3 Bluetooth audio system, electric rear windows, tinted windows, Mahonagy brown accents across the central console, dashboard trim, air vents and door handles, as well as stitched fabric dashboard trim.
On the Renault Megane XV de France additional elements include satellite navigation, rear parking sensors, electric windows and 17 inch alloys.
Powertrain options for the Renault Clio and Megane XV de France include two petrol plants rated at 100 HP and 110 HP and two diesels developing 95 and 105 HP respectively. As for the Renault Megane XV de France customers will be able to opt-in for a 130 HP gasoline unit, or three diesels ranging from 110 to 150 HP.
Renault press release :
RENAULT UNVEILS NEW “XV DE FRANCE” VERSIONS
• Renault yesterday unveiled its new “XV de France” versions of Clio and Mégane at the Marcoussis National Rugby Centre. The ceremony was attended by three players from the French rugby team, acting as brand ambassadors: Imanol Harinordoquy, Morgan Parra and Sylvain Marconnet. At the event, Renault also presented the advertising campaign that will be backing the product launch, which kicks off for the 2011 Six Nations Championship.
• Renault is marking its third year of rugby involvement with “XV de France” versions of Clio (three-door, five-door and estate versions) and Mégane (hatch, coupé and estate), which will now be selling year-round.
• The “XV de France” versions sport a distinctive Marron Glacé body signed with the FFR (French Rugby Federation) coat of arms, special aluminium wheels, and a chic “club” interior with special dashboard and upholstery. They come richly appointed with equipment including satnav, Bluetooth MP3 and CD sound system, automatic air conditioning, and cruise control with speed limiter.
RENAULT SUPPORT FOR THE FRENCH RUGBY TEAM IN 2011
After two years of “XV de France” limited editions, Renault is going a step further in 2011 with fullfledged “XV de France” versions of Mégane (estate, hatch and coupé versions) and Clio (threedoor,
five-door and estate). This move marks an even deeper commitment, mobilizing resources across the board, in design, production, marketing and sales, from the manufacturing facility through to the dealer network of 5,000 outlets. The upgrade from “limited editions” to full-fledged “versions” brings lasting enhancement to the Mégane and Clio personality. The new versions are fully integrated in the catalogue, affording greater visibility for Renault’s rugby involvement in the eyes of dealers and the public at large.
Another change in 2011 is the fact that the 15,500 vehicles with the “XV de France” badge (5,500
Méganes and 10,000 Clios) will be sold year-round in 2011, instead of the half-year run for
previous limited editions. This means support for the French rugby team will run right through to the
Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
To promote the new vehicles, along with the French rugby team, Renault will be running a French
nationwide television and internet advertising campaign from 5 February 2011, for the first match
played by the French 15 in the Six Nations Championship. The media plan is based on a 30-
second film, backed by a long-format 45-second event feature, shown, for example, at half-time in
the France-Scotland match. There’ll also be web coverage, on rugby affinity sites, with classic and
video banners (showing the TV film).
The new advertising film prolongs the saga begun in 2010, featuring the “torture test”, a humorous
match-up of values that Renault shares with rugby, namely reliability and robustness. The film
places the viewer inside the car, to spotlight the designers’ work on the elegant finish, evocative of
“club spirit”. The film features three “testers” in the form of three high-profile members of the French
rugby team: Sylvain Marconnet, Imanol Harinordoquy and Morgan Parra, who’ll be acting as brand
ambassadors throughout this Rugby World Cup year.
Guillaume Josselin (head of marketing & communications, France)
“Renault sees rugby as a valuable territory of expression, complementary to that afforded by motor
sports. Our involvement in rugby, exemplified by the new “XV de France” versions, nourishes
customer relations and provides inspiration for our dealer network of 5,000 outlets. Through the
rugby connection, Renault also highlights the values it holds in common with the sport, clearly
extolled in the advertising film and by our brand ambassadors: reliability, robustness, elegance and
conviviality.”
Morgan Parra (scrum half in French rugby team)
“I know the people in the Renault network, because they partner my club, AS Montferrand. I’m
delighted to be a Renault brand ambassador, because this means standing up for a great French
company that understands what rugby is all about and is doing the sport a lot of good by bringing it
more into the public eye. As well as their support for the French fifteen, I also appreciate the local
backing they give to many amateur and professional clubs.
Renault and rugby: a partnership permeating from national to local level
As well as its long-standing commitment to motor sports, Renault is also closely involved in French
rugby. Renault is France’s leading carmaker, and it runs the country’s most extensive dealer
network, with 5,000 outlets. So it’s only natural to find Renault’s involvement in rugby reaching
down to grassroots local level, through backing for many amateur and professional clubs. Rugby is
the number-one sport for the Renault dealer network; not only does Renault partner the French
Rugby Federation and the French 15 at national level (in “Official Partner” and “Official Car”
capacities), but the backing also extends to around 80 specific club partnerships.
“XV DE FRANCE” VERSIONS: CLUB ATMOSPHERE, WITH ATTENTION TO DETAIL
“The 2011 ‘XV de France’ versions are very different from the limited editions of previous years,”
explains Mégane product manager Raphaëlle Jarry. “As well as being true to the rugby spirit, they
introduce a new angle.” Instead of focusing solely on the game connotation, with bodywork echoing
France’s blue rugby colours, we find a very smart and highly distinctive interior with a harmonious
colour scheme and great attention to detail, inspired by the club atmosphere of the greatest teams.
The “XV de France” versions are based on the Dynamique equipment level for Mégane and the
Dynamique TomTom level for Clio. They boast a distinctive Marron Glacé body (except for Clio
Sport Tourer). This special body colour, a new addition to the existing colour range, is also featured
in the interior décor. The upholstery uses a specially coated TEP fabric that gives a leather effect in
the same shades, plus a tartan textile. Stitched TEP fabric, evocative of club armchairs, is also
featured on the door linings. The coat of arms of the French Rugby Federation, with its cock
emblem, appears on the car wings and in the passenger compartment. The “XV de France”
versions come with special alloy wheels.
The orderbook opened on 1 December 2010 for Mégane and 4 January 2011 for Clio, two months
ahead of the opening whistle of the Six Nations Championship.
DETAILS
1. “XV de France” Clio
The “XV de France” version, available for Clio three-door, five-door and estate models, takes over
from the Exception TomTom® version, offering the same engine choices and equipment, which
includes the Carminat TomTom® Live satnav, a Radiosat Classic 80W CD MP3 Bluetooth sound
system with speech recognition and audiostreaming function, automatic air conditioning, and cruise
control with speed limiter. For Clio product manager Jean-Hubert Cornet, “Clio ‘XV de France’
brings further comfort and refinement enhancements to the previous Exception TomTom® version,
making it stand out from the Dynamique TomTom® version”.
Standard equipment on Clio “XV de France”
All Dynamique TomTom® features, plus
– Chrome lengthwise roof rails (on Clio Sport Tourer)
– Electric rear windows
– Climate pack (automatic air conditioning and automatic lights and wipers)
– Radiosat Classic 80W CD MP3 Bluetooth sound system with RCA connector
– Cruise control with speed limiter
Interior styling
– Mahogany brown finish on central console, dashboard trim, air vents and door handles
– Burton/Tweedy upholstery in dark brown textile and TEP fabric with FFR logo embossed on
front headrests, and door inserts in mahogany brown TEP fabric
– Door handles in mahogany brown
– Stitched fabric dashboard trim
Exterior styling:
– FFR arms on front wings
– Bumpers and mirrors in body colour
– Protective trims in gloss black
– Door handles in body colour
– Lyria 16” alloy wheels
– Tinted windows
