According to Renault, the most potent version of the previous generation Megane RS, the 230HP R26.R that went on sale in October 2008 for a limited run of 450 examples, 230 of which are destined for Britain, has set new benchmark lap times at four UK tracks. The French carmaker announced that at Silverstone, Drivers-Republic recorded a lap time of 1 minute and 19.4 sec, almost three seconds faster than the more powerful Ford Focus RS that is equipped with a 300HP 2.5-liter turbocharged five pot while at the West Circuit at Bedford Autodrome, Evo magazine timed the R26.R at 1m 29 sec beating the RS by almost two seconds.

At Bruntingthorpe, Performance Car said that it timed the R26.R faster than the Focus RS, the Subaru Impreza STi Type UK and found it even faster than a 360hp Revo-tuned Seat Leon Cupra. Finally, at Millbrook, Autocar magazine recorded a time of 1min and 15.6 seconds, a second faster than the Focus RS.

The auto industry might be in a slump lately, but there are still plenty of new cars being readied for launch in 2010. This pint-size speedster is the Renault Twingo CC and it is aimed at the likes of the Opel Tigra and Peugeot 207 Coupe-Cabriolet. The drop-top variant of the new Twingo will be equipped with a one-piece retractable hardtop that stows away in the rear luggage compartment. It remains to be seen if the top will rotate (like the Ferrari 575 M Superamerica) or if it will slide to the back as recently reported in French media.

The heavy camouflaged prototype leaves a lot to the imagination when it comes to the Twingo CC’s exterior appearance, but sources suggest that it will be more radical in design than any of its competitors.

French carmaker Renault has revealed detailed pricing for its all-new Scenic model. The five-seater MPV that will officially go on sale in the UK on July 17th will be available in 28 different versions spread across five-trim levels (Extreme, Expression, Dynamique, TomTom Edition and Privilège), with prices ranging from £13,595 to £22,295. Renault claims that depending on the version, the new Scenic costs up to £2,060 less than its predecessor and that it is priced to undercut all of its key rivals. UK buyers can choose between eight differnet engines at launch including three gasoline and five diesel units, ranging from 86HP to 160HP.

Renault has released UK pricing on the updated Laguna 2010 Laguna Hatch and Sport Tourer models that range from £16,795 to £25,650. Available to order from 1st June, the 2010 Laguna benefits from several new equipment features and a revised line up that sees the Dynamic and the new TomTom Edition gaining a more aggressive styling thanks to the GT front bumper with air intakes, black surround headlights, smoked rear lights, pearl black door mirrors and chrome exhaust tailpipes. Furthermore, all interiors across the range have been upgraded with new colors and satin paint finish on the center console and inserts.

With Renault officials having already openly admitted that they are readying a roofless sportscar based on the Twingo mini that could enter production as early as 2010, it was only a matter of time before magazines started their speculative takes on the car’s looks. In its latest issue, Autoplus has published a series of computer generated images based on scoop photos of a thinly disguised prototype of the so-called Twingo CC. The most prominent feature of Renault’s budget-conscious sportscar is without doubt its rotating central-piece rooftop that is similar in design to the one found in the Ferrari 575 M Superamerica.

However, unlike Ferrari’s rooftop that flings itself back onto the deck lid, the Twingo CC’s single-piece hard-top is stowed away inside the boot which opens up in the same way as most coupe-convertibles.