Renault to launch Fluence sedan in 2009, electric version in 2011
Renault on Thursday revealed the third generation C-segment Megane at the Paris Motor Show. The sedan version of the old Megane will be replaced by a new sedan in 2009 called Fluence. The Fluence will start off using conventional drivertrains, but two years after introduction, it will go electric. Renault EVP Patrick Pelata told a summit in Paris that when the electric Fluence launches in 2011 the company expects to start with 20-40,000 units. A year after the battery-powered Fluence arrives, a smaller compact electric car will also arrive. That second car will be built at a plant in Flins, northwest of Paris. Both cars will use lithium ion that may well be manufactured in France as well. Just as Tesla learned when it shifted battery production from Thailand to California, it makes sense to build battery packs closer to the car assembly plants in order to reduce shipping costs of the heavy packs.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Richard 12:17PM (10/03/2008)
What a nice looking car. Any idea if it's coming to USA?
Reply
Nick 4:34PM (10/03/2008)
Renault does not sell its products in the U.S. ...yet.
It's unfortunate, Renault has come a looong way and now has really nice cars.
rob 3:33PM (10/04/2008)
Renault Megane ~= Nissan Versa
Except the Megane is always delivers far more je ne c'est quoi.
Mirko 8:30AM (10/06/2008)
The Megane is on the Renault/Nissan C platform. The Versa is on the narrower, simpler, cheaper B platfom. Like the Dacia Logan.