Renault Wind Roadster - Compact, inventive and fun to drive
Wind Roadster extends the brand’s range with a new model wholly dedicated to the pleasure of its occupants inviting them to enjoy an alternative way of driving. Through its concept and the technology it employs, Renault’s Wind Roadster is an ingenious illustration of the company’s new brand signature, 'Drive the Change'.
Wind Roadster targets customers looking for a compact everyday car and, as a two-seat coupé-roadster with a length of 3.83 metres, it slots into the Renault range between Twingo and Clio. Thanks to its ingenious, electrically-operated roof system, which pivots open in just 12 seconds, Wind Roadster boasts unprecedented versatility: in the lowered position, the roof panel rests above the boot, meaning that boot volume is always 270dm3 VDA, whether the roof is up or down.
Wind Roadster has head-turning looks. Its blue-tinged gaze, muscular profile and rear-end forms, give it an emphatically modern profile. Unique styling details include the roof-cover cowls, chrome exterior door mirror housings and badging on the side which recalls the rotational movement of the roof-opening mechanism.
Meanwhile, there is an unmistakable 'cockpit' feel about the interior. The instruments are reminiscent of the world of motorbikes, the sport seats feature integrated head rests, while the low-set driving position and sporty layout of the controls are typical of roadsters.
The expertise of Renault Sport Technologies (R.S.T) in the realm of motoring enjoyment needs no introduction, and Wind Roadster has benefited extensively from the expertise of R.S.T's engineers.
The new coupé-roadster is built on the same platform as Clio II Renaultsport, and its chassis is perfectly suited to the power outputs of the two engines that are available for the car, the 1.2 TCe 100 and the 1.6 VVT 133hp. One of the chief accomplishments of R.S.T's engineers is the fact that they have achieved the best weight to body-rigidity ratio for a coupé-roadster, allowing Wind Roadster owners to profit from an outstanding ride plus very low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Wind Roadster takes full advantage of Renault's expertise in the fields of active and passive safety too, while the excellence of its chassis and its powerful brakes ensure exceptionally reassuring handling.
Wind Roadster goes on sale from July 2010 in the UK and Slovenia, and from September in other western European markets.
