Renault Clio Renaultsport 197 at British Motorshow

The Clio Renaultsport 197 hot-hatch therefore takes pride of place for Renault at the Motorshow alongside the other class champion built by the firm’s motorsport division – the FIA 2006 Formula One World Championship leading R26 F1 car.

Powered by a class-leading 2-litre 16V engine pumping out 197hp, the £15,995 Clio 197 follows in the illustrious footsteps of the previous Clio Renaultsport 172 and 182 and before that, the legendary Clio Williams.

With driving pleasure as the number one priority, the powerful new engine accelerates the Clio from 0 to 62mph in only 6.9 seconds - which is faster than its predecessor and any of its class rivals – while pin-sharp handling, direct steering and outstanding brakes make any journey both fun and safe.

As well as satisfying the desires of today’s car buyers Renault is giving visitors the opportunity to look into the future with two Concept cars which could point to Renaults of the future.

The Egeus Concept presents Renault’s thinking for an upmarket full-size SUV – a sector of the market it is not currently in – one where elegance and luxury combines with a sporty and dynamic driving experience in a "tall Coupe SUV" body style.

Its design is a natural continuation of the previous concept cars Wind and Fluence and carries echoes of a top-of-the-range saloon. Its flowing, homogenous lines have nothing of the angular styling usually associated with an SUV.

With its longer bonnet, shorter front and rear overhang, and rounded rear wings, Egeus has a dynamic, powerful character. Its 22-inch wheels combine with higher ground clearance than that of a classic saloon to give this concept car its solid stance.

The 250hp 3.0-litre V6 dCi diesel engine, mounted north-south, gives Egeus both power and agility. Euro 4 emission compliant, it is fitted with a particulate filter.

The fully automatic 4WD transmission regulates traction on the four wheels from 0 to 100% according to grip. This, combined with a seven-speed flick-shift automatic transmission, ensures a high level of driving comfort while substantially reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

The Altica Concept presents Renault’s proposal for a dynamic three door sporting estate car. The car's overall stance – low-slung lines, long bonnet, and prominent wings – and proportions express true sports car dynamics, yet Altica’s roomy load bay and rear seats which fold flat into the floor give a level of practicality not normally found in a sporting car.

Altica's new 175hp 2.0 dCi particulate filter-equipped diesel engine takes the car from a standing start to 62mph in just 7.5s. Coupled with a six-speed gearbox, this powerplant – which boasts maximum torque of 380Nm – provides excellent pull-away and mid-range acceleration.

Egeus in detail - Upmarket, functional and innovative

Egeus features four independent seats with all the comfort of a luxury car. Noble materials and a subtle blend of colours and textures distinguish the spacious interior. The relaxed, elegant atmosphere adds to the feeling of serenity inside the cabin.

The "Cythère Blue" bodywork, the "manta ray" dashboard and the blue-tinted hues of the cabin evoke an underwater world.

The leather upholstery in woven beige tones, inspired by a pixilated image of a setting sun, creates a warm atmosphere. The centre console, upholstered in blue-tinted leather, echoes Egeus' undulating sides. It incorporates three generous stowage compartments in addition to the two front-door bins.

The cabin is warm and welcoming thanks to the glazed roof and a central strip with two transparent sections.

The wraparound seats guarantee a high level of comfort and stand out for their innovative functions. The front seats pivot outwards and can be lowered 70mm for the easiest possible access. The rear-hinged doors plus the absence of a centre pillar give unencumbered access to the rear seats.

The boot features a split-level opening, with a classic lift-up top and a motorized, drop-down lower section that includes a sliding tray for effortlessly loading heavy or bulky objects. The height of this tray can be electronically adjusted to reconfigure the boot's interior space.

The side door handles are flush-fitting so as not to detract from the streamlined sides. An optical sensor detects an approaching hand and pushes the handle out a few centimetres, making it easy to grasp.

The GPS navigation system calculates the recommended speed, which is then shown in the centre of the speedometer dial, with its analogue and digital displays. LED diodes around the dial flash to alert drivers if they go over this speed.

In off-road mode, an indicator on the instrument panel is automatically activated to show the car's attitude to the horizontal and alert the driver if there is any risk of roll-over.

The intuitive controls are true to the principles of Touch Design. The central rotary speed selector benefits from simple ergonomic styling. The ideally-located multimedia control lever makes for easy handling while the steering wheel-mounted controls mirror the natural curve of the hand.

Altica in detail - Flowing, sporty lines

The panoramic windscreen and rear window underline the car's fluid aerodynamics. The two-tone paintwork accentuates the side design and also asserts Altica's graphic identity. The car's overall stance – low-slung lines, long bonnet and prominent wings – and proportions express true sports car dynamics. Comprised of a mosaic of transparent panes, the rear quarter lights suggest forward movement.

Altica's interior mirrors its sporty, dynamic exterior design. The suspended drive station is held in place by four profiled rods that hint at the world of Formula 1.

The transparent roof and panoramic windscreen erase the boundary between the interior and the outside world and also ensure a brightly-lit cabin. The mosaic design of the rear quarter lights allows sunlight to filter into the cabin much like it does through stained glass windows and gives the interior a more welcoming feel. The layout and angling of the panes ensure good three-quarter rear visibility for the driver which is indispensable when parking.

Altica's sports pedigree is reinforced by its scissor doors, the form of which ensures easy access to this low vehicle.

The generous interior volumes of Altica provide a very high standard of travelling comfort despite the car's sporty characteristics. Each of the four individual seats boasts outstanding comfort.

Instead of the seats, which are fixed, it is the drive station and pedal assembly that adjust to match the driver's physique thanks to a motorized mechanism. The height-adjustable centre armrest deploys automatically as the driver sits down.

The vertical positioning of the dashboard takes its inspiration from the world of aeronautics and permits the driver to feel at one with the car.

The centrally-positioned dial features two display modes: "comfort" and "sport". The "comfort" mode indicates the car's speed in the centre of the display while the perimeter shows the legal speed limits which turn red if exceeded. In the "sport" mode, the speed continues to be displayed in the middle of the dial but the perimeter becomes a digital rev counter and turbo pressure indicator. The graphics of the high-resolution screen provide a distinctly human touch to this high-tech display which itself suggests watchmaker-like precision and sophistication.

High performance and economy from the latest Renault dCi diesel engine

Altica's new 175hp 2.0 dCi particulate filter-equipped diesel engine takes the car from a standing start to 62mph in just 7.5s. Coupled with a six-speed gearbox, this powerplant – which boasts maximum torque of 380Nm – provides excellent pull-away and mid-range acceleration. This hasn't been achieved to the detriment of fuel consumption, however. The Renault-Nissan Alliance engine is very inexpensive to run and fuel consumption is equivalent to 140g of CO2 per kilometre. In terms of both performance and driving pleasure, it stands out as the best diesel engine in its class and a version of which, is now fitted to the Laguna GT dCi 175 and Espace dCi 175.

Altica's low fuel consumption also stems from its exceptional aerodynamics. Located at the extremity of the roof at the point where the vehicle and the passing air flow separate, a discreet mechanical system generates jets of air which are alternately blown and sucked through a 2mm wide slit. Known as "Synthetic Jet", the system actively controls the separation of the air flow according to the vehicle's speed. This innovative technique, which reduces drag and controls the structure of the air flow, is a registered Renault patent and reduces the car's Cd at 80mph by 15% for an energy consumption of just 10W.

Full range at the show

In addition to these three star cars the full Renault range will be featured at the show including the 2006 New Mégane range, the extensive Car of the Year winning New Clio three and five door range, Laguna and Renault’s MPV range of Kangoo, Modus, Scenic and the 2006 New Espace.