Renault Latitude

Renault just renewed its executive saloon, the Latitude, which is incidentally the first Renault to be built in South Korea.

Made for people who prioritize ride comfort over everything else, the French (Korean) sedan proudly steps up and for a mere S$78,588 (before COE), and ensures your ride to be as smooth as it can be.

Looks-wise, the Latitude features sleek lines that makes its 4.9 meters in length seem shorter. The boot line is complemented by an aesthetically pleasing curved chrome panel that features the car's name, contributing to the curvy design and making the car, once again, less imposing. The front end is, in my opinion, too tamed down compared to the rest of the body design, making the Latitude look too "normal"; preventing it to stand out from the crowd of older
cars on the road. I believe that a slightly more aggressive or teasing face with, for example, finer headlights and a more carved front bumper would make the Renault much more attractive.

Inside the car, the occupants' well-being is the main concern, and the Latitude offers comfortable seats, spacious leg room for the rear passengers and the driver even has a treat in the form of a massage seat, which can be set for light or strong massage and alternates from higher back to lower back, helping you endure long drives or massive traffic jams by relieving the usual back stiffness that tags along with seating in a car for too long. The deep 511 litre boot has a trick up its sleeve to accommodate the most space-demanding cargo: the rear seats fold over in a 1/3-2/3 way to form an almost flat loading area, turning the executive saloon into a functional week end car for sporty getaways.

The dashboard is clear and simple, and I particularly liked the neatly integrated display between the two dials, which is there to give you the car's status information such as fuel consumption, average speed, gear you're in, etc.

Although being built in Korea, the Latitude is still a Renault, and the look and design feel of the interior cabin is quite similar to the new Renault range which is, in my opinion, a bit boring. The now-standard auxiliary line in and USB port are hidden in the centre storage area between the front seats and the Arkamys 8-speaker sound system does a good job at keeping your ears entertained. Unfortunately, the Latitude is equipped with the same, slow interface as the Mégane Coupé Cabriolet and iPod operation becomes a game of patience. Another feature shared between the two models is the intuitive TomTom GPS which has a better physical integration in the centre console on the Latitude.

The Latitude is equipped with Renault's standard card-key and the car has proximity sensors that detect the key, unlocking the car when your hand grabs the door handle, but also locking the car automatically when you walk away. This neat system really makes life easy as you never have to wonder if you have locked the car properly. The only downside of such a system is that if you change car you'll probably leave it opened half of the time.

Drive-wise, the Latitude's smooth suspension does a good job at eating up irregularities in the road, and Renault's usual precise steering feel is back, although not really used on this model as, by nature, it is not a car that you will want to hit the curvy B roads with. If you do end up pushing the car on small roads, though, get ready to encounter understeer, as expected from a car in this segment. 

One thing that must not be overlooked is the sheer size of the Latitude, which becomes a handful when reversing the car: the reverse sensors end up not being sufficient, giving little useful information and a rear-view camera or reverse radar display would definitely not be a luxury.

The two-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine that rests under the Latitude's hood is the same as the Mégane Coupé Cabriolet and develops the same 141hp but now has to haul a car that is about 100 kilos heavier. If you have read my review of the Mégane Coupé Cabriolet, I believe you can forge your own idea of how it behaves. If not, don't expect amazing pickup nor high-speed performance. I found this engine and transmission combo lacking on the lighter Renault so imagine how this one feels. Surprisingly, maybe because of the relaxed-drive nature of the Latitude, the four banger doesn't feel all that bad, and I was astonished to experience a mixed fuel consumption of only 8L /100km over the duration of the test drive, which includes highway, city driving and traffic jams. Knowing how heavy my foot usually is (check out the mixed fuel consumption of my previous test drives and you'll understand), reaching a single-digit consumption is quite a feat.

All in all, the Latitude is a relatively affordable executive saloon with quite friendly fuel consumption which offers a smooth and relaxed drive. It is not, however, a sports car, and its size gets a bit tough to handle, especially when reversing, where a rear view camera would really be appreciated. 

 

Review: Mégane Coupé Cabriolet

Renault has recently been renewing its fleet, moving away from the angular lines that got so many mixed feedbacks, and entering an era of smooth, sexy design cues. The final addition to the six new body types, but certainly not the least, is the new Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet.

With a price tag lower than any of its direct competitors, (Volkswagen Eos, Mini Cooper Cabriolet, Audi A3 Cabriolet, BMW 320i Cabriolet and its other French counterpart, the Peugeot 308cc) the Renault has the first advantage in the convertible category.

At first sight and with the top up, the Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet suggests fashion and style. The two-tone style given by the black top gives the impression that the top is always down and draws stares like a model on a catwalk.

Although the signature Mégane front end and smooth design lines running along the side of the car make it look very light and sporty, the rear looks, unfortunately, a bit heavy. Hopefully, the sleek LED tail lights help keeping a nice consistency with the rest of the design.

This attention-getter comes not only with a hard-top, but it is also equipped with a 0.47m² sunroof, which gives a very enjoyable feeling of space and brightness when the weather does not allow a top-down excursion.

The magic of this car is, of course, when you pull the switch that initiates the quick 21 seconds strip-tease (fastest in its category) which stores the folding hard-top in the boot. The storing-away process of the hard roof is a bit intimidating at first, requiring you to make sure you have room behind the car as the boot opens backwards at a 45 degree angle, potentially hitting objects in the way. Once the operation is done, and after a second pull of the button, all four windows come down and the million-dollar Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet experience can start.

Forget about high speed, mind numbing acceleration; the 2 litre four-cylinder 16V engine might develop 140hp at 6,000rpm and 195Nm of torque from 3,750rpm, the sheer weight of the car eats away the performance. Then again, after the first drive, you'll notice that this is not what the Mégane CC is all about. This convertible's home ground is cruising with the top down, and it sure does a remarkable job doing so to a point where you don't even feel the need to press hard on the accelerator, relax, and enjoy the ride. One thing you can trust Renault on is a precise and firm steering feel, and once again, the French manufacturer hits home, giving you great control of the heavy convertible's position on the road. In addition to this, the six-speed CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) gear box allows for smooth shifting, and when you want to have a bit more fun, you can always switch it to semi-sequential, turning twisty roads into fun and enjoyable episodes in your drive. Just note that you will have to drop gears more often than you think on the twisties to keep the Mégane in the right pace.

The Mégane CC experience doesn't stop there: thanks to its fixed glass wind deflector, the noise and wind turbulence when driving with the top down is greatly reduced, keeping ladies' hair in check and conversations at a very enjoyable normal level while driving. Music enthusiasts will also rejoice in the high quality sound system composed of eight speakers giving a crisp and loud 3D sound which doesn't get drowned by outside noises.

Put all this together and you will look forward to every single ride, especially when the sun shines and you can drive with the top down and the music up. Believe me, you might actually end up looking for the longest way to wherever you are heading, just to be able to enjoy the ride and the people's stares following you as you drive by.

Best of all, to help you find the longest (or shortest) way, the Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet comes with a built-in TomTom GPS, equipped with a clear screen and intuitive controls. The Renault is also equipped with a USB and audio jack input for auxiliary audio devices, coupled with Bluetooth for your phone, allowing you to use the car speakers and the build in microphone to safely handle your calls while driving. The sad part is that the Bluetooth and auxiliary line-in controlled, on the driver's side, by a small handle located behind the steering wheel, are clearly not as intuitive as the TomTom GPS and quite slow to operate, forcing you to divert your attention off of the road to see what is happening on the main screen.

Seating-wise, the car is what's expected of a Coupé-Cabriolet: comfortable front seats, and rear seats that suffer from a limited leg room, making this car very enjoyable for two occupants, and less for the two passengers in the rear, especially for long drives. Don't worry though, if your passengers are kids, they shouldn't have any problems fitting in the rear, and if they need child seats, you will be thankful for the incorporated Isofix 3-point mounting points on the two rear seats that will save you the hassle of fidgeting with the car for half-an-hour before each ride.

If you decide to go on a longer road trip with the topless beauty, the 417 litres boot will greet your luggage with a low sill, making the loading of heavier bags much easier. Then again, if you want to enjoy the wind in your hair, you will have to make sure the boot divider is rolled out (this is a safety measure to ensure that nothing will hinder the roof storing process and break whatever is inside the boot, the roof mechanism or both) and your boot space will almost be reduced by half, to a less convenient 211 litres.

Other than the 206 litres boot space to compromise on to enjoy the wind in your hair, the reduced rear seats' leg room, slow USB and Bluetooth interface and the heavy chassis, the very reasonably priced Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet will give you a blast when cruising thanks to its enjoyable and precise steering, smooth gearbox, great sound system and attention-grabbing looks. The car will surely seduce you with its bright and spacious feel given by the panoramic roof when the top is up and, of course, the million-dollar feeling of cruising with the top down.

 

Wearnes Automotive Track Day - 22 April 2011

Friday 22nd April, 6am, while most people were still snuggled in bed, enjoying the work-free Good Friday, a small number of cars assembled in front of Wearnes Automotive's Bentley dealership. The eclectic group made out of two Subaru STI, one Mitsubishi Evo IX, a Mercedes SLK200, a Porsche Carrera 4, a Mazerati Grand Turismo, a Nissan GTR, a Volvo S60R, two Renault Mégane Coupé Cabriolet and a Jaguar Xf had gathered for one reason: they want to go fast.

 

It’s to answer the call for speed of their clients and friends that Wearnes, the distributor of Renault, Volvo, Land Rover, Jaguar, Bentley and Bugatti here in Singapore, decided to hire the help of driving instructor Eugene Oh to form convoys and drive all the way to Sepang International Circuit, in Malaysia and allow the speed junkies to go fast on the controlled and safe environment of the racetrack. Eugene, being a veteran driver and racer, also helps the attendants of the track days by sitting in the car with them and teaching them the ins and outs of the circuit, to make their racing day the best they could hope for.

After the traffic jams of the checkpoint to Malaysia, and the long highway drive north, punctuated by refuelling and refreshment stops, the convoy reached Sepang International Circuit. After parking the cars in the pits, the drivers quickly made their way to the track’s offices to register and attend a driver’s safety and regulations briefing with the Traction Circle Club. Each car owner was then given a number to paste on the door, and everybody made their way back to the pits at a fast pace, the racing fuel in everyone’s veins starting to run faster. 

Back in the pits, the atmosphere was electric with all drivers, whether new or veterans, getting ready to rumble, strapping on a helmet, jumping in their machines and going to line up in the pit lane, waiting for the green light to announce the opening of the session.

The lights turned green and the cars left the safety of the pit lane one by one to jump into the ocean of speed and adrenalin that is the circuit. That particular day saw a crowd of over fifty cars making it to the track, hopefully not all hitting the asphalt at the same time, but the wide F1-grade circuit managed to accommodate everyone without causing jams on the asphalt. Furthermore, this track day not being a racing session but a more relaxed lapping day, new track drivers were able to get priceless experience by following the lines of the veterans, all the while giving way to the faster cars so as not to hinder their fun by slowing them down. Among the faster cars was a Radical SR3 RS, a real track monster propelled by a 1.3 litre engine taken from the Suzuki Hayabusa, which was stroked up to 1.5 litre and now generates 210bhp for a mere 570kg. That should give you a quick idea of the type of toy the Radical is. I was lucky enough to sit in the “passenger seat” (read: the floor of the car – having an actual seat would not be weight-friendly) with Ben, one of the three drivers of the Radical, for two laps full of adrenalin, and I can tell you the acceleration, cornering and breaking forces in this machine are amazing and very addictive at the same time! 

At the end of the session, all the drivers had that shiny glow of excitement and amazement in their eyes, and kept sharing experiences between each other about the track, which turns are trickier, how they managed to find the best line to tackle them and how each and every one of them suddenly love their car even more now that they know how it handles at the limit, or close to it.

It was then time to head back south to the little island that is Singapore where everyone headed back home for a well-deserved sleep, probably full of high G-cornering, high speed dreams.

Wearnes is regularly organizing track days like this one, open for all to join in. Stick around on Gordini’s Pit Stop for information on the next session!

Gallery

Special thanks to Pearl and the whole team at Wearnes Automotive for this awesome day, Eugene and Emma and all the drivers and Justin, Benny and Vig for the ride in the Radical!

Thanks to Ang from gogoAds for the help and the great photos (you saved me!) - you can check out gogoAds here.