With less than 2 weeks left until its official UK launch, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has a super stock deal on the all-new Renault Megane Hatchback, available to lease from just £169.95 + VAT a month!

Boasting an all-new style including gloss black bumpers, chrome highlights, LED daytime running lights and new wheel design, the 2012 Renault Megane is set to modernise the family car sector when it hits UK showrooms on 1st April, offering better fuel economy and more standard equipment than ever before.

Inside, all Renault Megane models boast an impressive standard specification with the new entry-level Expression + trim sporting Bluetooth™, USB connection, 16” alloys, air conditioning, front fog lights and an upgraded audio system, all as standard.

Under the bonnet, the 2012 Megane is also the first model in the Renault line-up to be available with three new Stop & Start engines designed to combine driving pleasure with real fuel efficiency. CO2 levels stay low across the range, dropping to just 90g/km on the Expression + dCi 110 Stop/Start.

Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is pleased to announce a special stock deal on the Renault Megane Hatch 1.5 dCi Dynamique TomTom Eco, available to lease from just £169.95 + VAT a month.

Standard features on this well-equipped, mid-spec model include:

• Radio/CD/MP3 with Bluetooth Hands Free

• Air Conditioning

• Cloth Upholstery

• Carminat TomTom Sat Nav

• Cruise Control + Speed Limiter

• USB Connection

• ‘Guide Me Home’ Headlamps

• Leather Steering Wheel

• 16″ Kaleido Alloy Wheels

The new Renault Megane is expected to be hot property when it hits UK roads next month so this deal will be snapped up quickly.

To find out more about the all-new Renault Megane and to take advantage of this special Renault car leasing offer before it’s too late, call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts on 0844 482 9595 or follow the above links.

Prices based on a 4 year contract and excludes VAT, initial payment and processing fee. Limited Stock Available. Terms & Conditions Apply.

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Renault have revealed the pricing and specifications of their 2012 Mégane range.

The Coupé, Hatch and Sport Tourer incarnations have all received gnarly facelifts and are already available to order ahead of their official 1st April UK launch.

Efforts have been made to modernise the style and improve the equipment within. LED daytime running lights come as standard on all models above and including the Dynamique TomTom. The bumper now boasts a gloss black finish with chrome highlights, whilst the selection of wheels has been entirely revised.

The technological innovations vary from model to model, but taking the new entry-level Expression + as an example, you can expect Bluetooth™, USB connection and an upgraded audio system to 4 x 20W radio CD with fingertip remote control and AUX input; on top of an already high equipment level which includes 16” alloys, air conditioning and front fog lights.

Meanwhile, the top-of-the-range GT-Line TomTom is not without its own additions which include auto parking brake with Hill Start Assist, parking camera with rear parking sensors and Arkamys 3D Sound 4x35W audio system.

The 2012 Mégane will be the first Renault model to be available with three new Stop & Start engines designed to combine driving pleasure with real fuel efficiency.

They produce a discreet, cushioned sound, with noise levels half of those of the engines they’re replacing.

They’re also the latest Renaults to feature the Visio System – Renault’s latest innovation – which assists the driver’s vigilance and night-time vision with the help of two key functions: A lane departure warning system and automatic high/low beam headlights.

This is achieved with the help of a camera which constantly scans the road ahead. Should the light be poor with no other vehicles detected, it will automatically switch to full-beam headlights at speeds in excess of 28 mph. Because you don’t have to worry about reverting to dipped beam yourself (it’s automatic!), Renault estimate that you’ll benefit from full-beam headlights between four and five times longer than you do without the system. This enhanced visibility creates a smaller risk of collision.

Meanwhile, if lane markings are crossed without the indicators having been indicated at speeds in excess of 44 mph, visible and audible warnings are automatically activated. This provides the necessary wake-up call to stay in control should the stray have occurred as a result of drowsiness or a lapse in vigilance.

It’s all looking most encouraging, with CO2  levels staying low across the range, dropping as low as 90 on the Expression + dCi 110 Stop and Start.

Prices start at £16,275 for the entry-level Expression+ 1.6 110, with the top-of-the-range GT Line TomTom dCi 160 coming in at £23,290.

The official UK launch date, once again, is April 1st.

That’s probably not a joke.

Have you heard of the UK’s new Plug-in Van Grant? Open to both businesses and private buyers, it basically gives you a 20% discount on eligible plug-in vans up to a maximum value of £8,000.

Renault are pleased as punch to announce that their Kangoo Van Z.E – current International Can of the Year and the world’s first 100% electric commercial vehicle produced directly by a mass market manufacturer – is indeed eligible for the Plug-in Van Grant.

This brings the starting price down to a mighty impressive £13,592 (excluding VAT).

Now, when the discount is coupled with the amount you’ll save on fuel costs, it really does make a lot of financial sense to go green, doesn’t it?

Commenting at the official launch event in London, Transport Secretary Justine Greening (pictured) said: “Our new grant demonstrates that you can be a motorist and still be pro-environment. Cars and vans are absolutely central to people’s lives – it’s how most of us get around and for many journeys they are, and will remain, the only practical and convenient travel choice. Nevertheless climate change is a global challenge we simply have to meet head on. It cannot be ignored or side-stepped.

“The new Plug-in Van Grant – offering up to £8,000 off one of these seven innovative vans – also makes business sense as it’s been estimated that a small electric van will typically cost £100 less in fuel for every thousand miles driven compared to a diesel equivalent.”

Thanks, Justine.

So. Could this be the beginning of the end of the white van man as we know it? Is he to be replaced by his more noble counterpart – the green van man?

Traditionally, February 29th is the date that girls are allowed to propose to men, and many a man has been ‘caught’ on this day. (Obviously, in these enlightened times, there is no problem with a female proposal any other day of the year, but let’s leave this tradition as it is!)

So, many thanks (from the ladies) and boos (from the men) to Renault, who have teamed up with Yahoo! to try and find “the most interesting, fun and innovative leap year wedding proposal planned for 29th February” by a lady.

And the prize for all this? A night in a London hotel, travel expenses there and (hopefully) back, a meal for two and the new Renault Twingo Dynamique, worth more than £10,000.

And if that’s not enough to have men locking their doors and hiding in the cupboard for the whole day, the whole proposal will be filmed and broadcast on Yahoo’s UK website for all to see.

There is also a prize for a couple of runners up which doesn’t include the Twingo, but does include a DVD of the proposal to play whenever the future in-laws come round for dinner, or at the hen party. Something never to forget – no matter how hard you try!

So ladies, if you have really inventive proposal idea that you think will catch the judge’s eye, or if you can think of one so that you can win that top prize, you’ll need to be quick because the competition finishes on Feb 20th. And even if you haven’t got anyone to propose to, or you’re already married and have a great idea, you’ve got until Feb 29th to put that idea in too – and there’s a second Twingo up for grabs in that competition!

All this, of course, is designed to promote the new Renault Twingo Dynamique 1.2 16V 75 launched in February with all the usual Va Va Voom that Renault can muster and features the French brand’s new design identity along with a host of other features.

What are they? If you insist!

A revised bumper, tailgate and new rear lights, a ‘cheekier’ front end (whatever ‘cheekier’ means), new interior, Bluetooth connectability and USB stuff too! Apparently new colours as well including Fuchsia and Bermuda Blue. What more could a girl want?

A comprehensive four-year/100,000 mile warranty, free routine servicing for four years/48,000 miles, four years roadside cover and up to four years finance (lease or PCP, subject to status)?

And a fiancé?

Still interested? Or maybe just want to avoid the page on the internet? Visit http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/renault-twingo-competition/ for the full (gory) details – and couples must be free to travel to London on February 24th.

So boys – watch out for any trips to see aunties/cousins/friends in London on that date. You could end up on telly, and you could also end up cleaning a Twingo on Sunday morning instead of playing footy with the lads!

Described by its manufacturers as one of 2012′s most eagerly-anticipated cars, Renault’s fully-electric, two seater Twizy seems to be causing something of a buzz.

Or, if it isn’t already, it just might yet. It just might yet.

You see, Renault have launched a competition in which one lucky, lucky winner could win enough money to cover a year’s worth of tuition fees.

Rather cheekily, they add “imagine the amount of supermarket own-brand beans you could buy with that kind of money” – and then they deploy some ellipses, so as to invite us to follow their line of thought and dream…

The competition’s open to both higher and further education students. Runners up win a weekend for two in Paris or £250 of FCUK vouchers.

And what do they want from you? Well, just to visit this website and download a Twizy template. You then have until 20th February to design and submit your own vision of the Twizy. And get this – you can enter as many times as you want! Those own-brand beans are as good as yours!

A Renault-appointed judging panel, including the brand’s own Senior Vice President, Corporate Design, Laurens van den Acker, will whittle down all of the entries to find their top 10. It will then be up to the general public to cast their votes via Facebook to find the lucky winners who will be announced on 16th April 2012.

To promote the competition, Renault will be visiting four campuses around the UK with a Twizy:

- University College London – Mon 13th February

- Birmingham City University – Tues 14th February

- Manchester Metropolitan University – Thurs 16th February

- University of Glasgow – Fri 17th February

On the new Twizy, Andy Heiron, Head of Electric Vehicle Programme, Renault UK, said, “We’re really excited to launch the Twizy in the UK. Its low price, combined with expected low insurance premiums and running costs, means that Twizy will be well suited to younger drivers interested in an affordable way of getting around in style, in a much safer method than two wheels, whether it be pedal power, scooter or motorbike.”

Yes!

Good luck, future designers of tomorrow!

With the new Renault Clio not expected to arrive in UK showroom until 2013, Renault has announced the introduction of a new Expression+ trim across its current Renault Clio range.

Available on the Renault Clio 3 and 5-door models, as well as the Renault Clio Estate, the new Expression+ trim features all the standard equipment as seen on the Expression trim but with the added benefit of air conditioning.

The new Renault Clio Expression+ is now available to lease from Nationwide Vehicle Contracts with prices starting from just £169.95 + VAT a month for the Renault Clio 3 Door 1.2 16V Expression +. Standard features on this model include:

• Radio/CD/MP3 player
• RCA Input Socket
• ‘Guide Me Home’ Headlamps
• Front Fog Lamps
• Air Conditioning
• Sports Cloth Upholstery

To find out more about the new Renault Clio Expression+ and to get an instant quotation on any model, simply follow the above links or call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts on 0844 482 9595.

Prices based on a 4 year contract and excludes VAT, initial payment and processing fee. Limited Stock Available. Terms & Conditions Apply.

Few car companies have gone unscathed in this economy. Being forced to drop certain models due to poor sales, Renault has had a particularly tough year. Now engaging UK market, it looks like the company has some really difficult choices to make in order to regain its popularity once more.

Based on sales figures, from February the car company will be dropping at the very least five models. Executives have noted that the top choices are the Laguna Hatch, Sport Tourer and Coupe. Furthermore, there are several rumours that suggest that the Espace, Grand Espace, Modus and Grand Modus, Wind Roadster and Kangoo passenger car may also be scrapped. While there is no definitive word on the matter, what is known is that they in total make up nearly 10 per cent of their UK sales.

Journalist Jack Rix suggested that there was no direct replacement for the Modus, Laguna or indeed the Espace. Rather, what the company is doing is focusing on its small, medium as well as large crossovers as possible alternatives to the models. While it is not known which models will be going on sale in Britain, there is some evidence that suggests that the small ones will do more favourably.

Certain evidence suggests that the first on the scene will be a supermini-SUV that will, in many ways, perform a similar function to the ever-popular Clio. This will be the first of the different models to arrive in the next few years. Each will play a role in revamping the significant drops in figures the past year. The company suggests that they’ll only be able to sell 75,000 in 2012 but ultimately hope that this will rise significantly in 2013.

A Renault spokesperson stated that these alterations are the first in many drastic plans to push the brand forward. Indeed, with Renault’s subservient company Dacia offering popular budget vehicles, Renault will now be focus on making their line as good as it can be, learning from but leaving behind its previous models.

While it is certainly not over for Renault, a great deal of change is needed to be done to bring them back to their past glory. With its fourth-generation Clio having gone on sale in November and the Twingo, Scenic and Megane going on sale in January, February and April, perhaps the company will be able to pull of their greatest achievement yet.

With Christmas just around the corner, there has never been a better time to invest in stylish and reliable 7-seat family vehicle.

For a strictly limited time, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has a fantastic deal on the on the Renault Grand Scenic 1.5 dCi Dynamique TomTom, in stock to lease from just £194.95 + VAT a month.

Whether you’re out and about with family or hefting large loads around, the Renault Grand Scenic is the perfect, spacious vehicle for the job.

With unbeatable headroom in the third row, class leading legroom in the second row and superb accessibility, the Grand Scenic provides comfortable seating for all of the family, making it the ideal vehicle for visiting the relatives this Christmas!

You can now save up to a further £15 a month on the Renault Grand Scenic 1.5 dCi Dynamique TomTom, in stock to lease from just £194.95 + VAT a month. Standard equipment on this mid-spec model includes:

• Carminat TomTom Navigation system
• Radio/CD with Bluetooth
• Air Conditioning
• Cruise Control + Speed Limiter
• Sport Cloth Upholstery
• 16″ Sport Alloy Wheels

To take advantage of this fantastic Renault car leasing deal, simply follow the above links or call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts on 0844 482 9595.

Prices based on a 4 year contract and excludes VAT, initial payment and processing fee. Limited Stock Available. Terms & Conditions Apply.

A morally reprehensible study undertook by Peugeot (called the “RCZ Study”) has “revealed” that Brits are “often more keen on being under the bonnet than between the sheets”.

Yes, the study of over 2,000 people was commissioned by the minds behind the RCZ Sports Coupé  and claims to highlight how some Brits are “more concerned with wheels than heels” – with 50% of men admitting that they find their partner more difficult to maintain than their car.

Furthermore, one in ten men confessed to “being more captivated with their cars’ alluring curves than their partners”.

Now, surely that one in particular is to be taken with a pinch of salt?

And, yep, this RCZ Study went on to demonstrate that men are capable of lavishing more love and attention on their cars than their girlfriends. It seems that men are three times happier spending cash on their car than their partner.

Oh, come off it, guys. You know, sometimes I flick through Grazia and the Times Style supplement (who doesn’t?) and I’m always struck by the amount of copy dedicated to demonising manhood itself. If those periodicals are to be believed, men are petty, unreliable, shallow and, apart from anything else, thick.

I’m always sat there thinking, “no, we’re not! Honestly, some of us are alright! Where did you get this idea from?”

Well, now we know. From surveys like this.

For it can’t really be the case that in the highly-unlikely (and utterly-impossible) scenario of a man having to choose between his car and his girlfriend whilst fleeing from a fire that he’d always go for his car, can it?

Can it?!

In that it saw numerous large manufacturers release such wonderful and accessible vehicles to a largely positive public and media reaction (coupled with a long-awaited and much-deserved corresponding public scorn for Jeremy Clarkson), 2011 might well be regarded as something of a year-zero for the old electric vehicle.

And the plaudits continue to pile up with the news that What Van? magazine have graced the fully electric Renault Kangoo Van Z.E (pictured) with their highly coveted Van of the Year award – and this only 120 hours or so after it went on sale in the UK!

Suspect? Not at all. Says editor Paul Barker: “The Renault Kangoo Van Z.E. is a pioneering revelation, impressive for its normality to drive as much as its technology under the skin. For operators in the right circumstances, it will be worthy of serious consideration, and coming in at the price it has, gives the technology every chance of moving towards the mainstream. The judges were unanimous in the Kangoo Van Z.E. being a deserving winner of our Van of the Year title.”

See? Seeing as the award was given based more on what the van represents than anything else, it’s not suspect at all that the Renault Kangoo Van Z.E has been on-sale for less than a week.

So, congratulations, Renault.

And here’s to year zero!