Renault Aus MD announced that the Mégane Renault Sport 250 has been a stand out since it hit the streets, October of last year.  He said ” We were delighted, though not surprised, last year when the Mégane Renault Sport 250 won”….”but to retain the(…) position among a very tough field. There is true depth(…) not just in terms of performance (…) also in terms of it appeal to car enthusiasts”.

Although it may have been a tough competition, the judges agreed that the Mégane Renault Sport 250 won with a unanimous vote, declaring that the engine, its grip, sporty interior and its dramatic looks were the winning factors.

Come into Col Crawford Renault today and see what a winner looks like!

As we approach the end of the financial year, the manufacturers have made significant bonuses available, “special deals”, so they make their targets. As for us, we have stock to clear.  There are deals to be done. Don’t miss out – The Col Crawford End of Financial Year sale is Big.

We have 4WD’s, SUV’s, Sedan’s, AWD’s, Ute’s and Small Cars on Sale. There are bonus deals available – this weekend ONLY.

Come down to our Brookvale and North Narrabeen showrooms this weekend, Friday 17th – Sunday 19th of June,  to see what we are talking about when it comes to great value.

Call us now on our hotline number 1300 973 283 or visit our website to see the full range.

4:30am Dang! Alarm has gone off ….have remembered  that I have the new Renault Kangoo to look forward to at least….I need a new work van and am not sure what I need so I am looking forward to how it stacks up.

5am: Still sleepy but I roll into the Kangoo, and I can happily report it’s comfy and feels more normal car. Ok I need music – connect iPod or CD? Cold Chisel selected, and a fitting Flame Trees as I drive to the flower markets.

I like the fingertip control of the radio (CD etc) – its so easy to change anything without my eyes leaving the road.

6am: It’s still dark when I start loading in the flowers for the day. To my delight I have just noticed that they have lighting in the loading area so –  hallelujah I can see!

7am: Back on the freeway back to the store in Manly, it’s been a long week so I am really happy I can at least give my left foot a break by launching the cruise control– and my demerit points breathe a sigh of relief as I also put the speed limiter on.

New Kangoo has a misery 5.2L/100km fuel efficiency

8am: Parking is always at a premium in Manly, and today is no different. So how does this thing park? I’m not the best reverse parker (you think I would be good at it by now) but I have good visibility (the side mirrors seem to be bigger or work better or something) and the rear parking sensors help things along.

Unload all my foliage and flowers, and have just noticed the Kangoo doors fold right back 180 degrees. Nifty. I have to pick-up a pallet this arvo so that should make it easier with the forklift.

10am: Out for my first delivery, driving visibility is great, the panoramic windscreen gives me a good view and I feel like I am sitting high on the road – both which makes me feel safer as I negotiate busy streets.

I usually spend half my day scrabbling around my van trying to find my folder and/or  pen so I am in love with the central storage area -  its fits an A4 folder and pen – what a simple but good idea.

11am.  More deliveries and the Kangoo is handling crowded city conditions really well, they boys at Col Crawford said that it would handle better due to a longer wheelbase – whatever that means.

Hmmm….getting thirsty…again another simple but great idea, I can slip

a 1.5L bottle of water….Ok, ok…its soft drink…but I am trying to give up!

A big part of my day is spent on the phone, and I don’t do Bluetooth in my ear (I refuse to look like a Star Trek entrant) and holding your phone is 3 demerit points and a big fine these days. But the Kangoo has Bluetooth so I can talk/answer and dial hands free – which makes a huge difference.

1pm: Its time for lunch, Getting peckish, extract lunchbox from large glovebox and grab my serviettes from the overhead storage – don’t say I’m not making full use of all the  hidey-holes.

2pm: I often pick up pallets and it always fraught with danger as in my current van (will remain nameless but remains laddy) they have to be loaded the right way, and nothing annoys me more when it doesn’t fit first time. Plus only one sort of pallet will fit – and trying to get an answer on the pallet is one more task I don’t need.

I am told that in the new Kangoo both Chep and Europallets fit no problem and I don’t have to worry about which way round the pallets. I have one each to pick up, so I fold back the doors 180 degrees, and forklift easily goes right up to the Kangoo and loads the pallet in a jiffy. Ditto the second chep one.  Nice.

3pm Hours on the road and I’m still comfy. They said to me it does a tiny 5.2L per 100km, and I have noticed my fuel gauge has hardly moved. The world has changed, as when I was in the market for my last van, there wasn’t really an concern with fuel efficiency and emissions, so it’s great that this is a big deal now.

5pm Finally back at the store, like most days I use the handbrake a lot, and usually I get a sore wrist from having to turn it – so I like the aircraft style one in the Kangoo, its different but its great!

7pm: Fitness session with my friends, easy loading all the boxing gear into the back and I think I look pretty cool turning up (or it could be me)

10pm: Heading to a party, its time for tunes from my ipod, slots straight in with the USB connectivity – I think Slash’s latest will do.

10:30 SOS call from party host,  – DJ is stuck and can I help?

11pm – Pull-up outside DJ’s house, doors fully back, loading lights on, stuff in, we’re in. Crisis averted.

2am – Kangoo out again to pick up more drinks – maybe being the one with a van isn’t such a good idea!

4am: I’m done – bed beckons…. Kangoo takes me home, I don’t think I’ll give it back to the the Renault dealership….I need a van for work but I prefer a car and I think the new Kangoo is the best of both worlds.

Photo opp!! The Pentecost River Crossing.

Commencing from Sydney, Dick has wound his way through South Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia – encountering a far bit of rain which the Koleos has handled admirably – it has even been towing other lesser vehicles to safety.

Dick sums it up well – Renault Koleos – Fantastic offroader!

Please click here for his range of images on his amazing trip or click on an image for a quick slideshow.

Before and after the rain shows the different colours of the country

17,000km - 7.7Lites/ 100km fuel fully loaded!

Handy tow-hooks for drying out smelly crab claws (and pulling out stuck Toyotas)

The limited edition is based on the Cup Trophee spec, and comes in unique sporty colour combo of pearl white with black roof. It also comes with celebratory number plate – ours will have N*15 plus anniversary stickering.

One lucky owner willbe able to take home the Clio R.S. 200 20th Anniversary – number 15 – register your interest here. You don’t have to wait too long  the Clio RS 200 will launched in July 2010!

• RECARO Seats
• Black shiny bumpers
• Grey F1 Aerodynamic spoiler
• Rear black spoiler
• Black roof
• 17′ SPEEDLINE  Black Alloy wheels
• Foldable door mirrors
• Black dash with stitches
• 4×20 Mono CD MP3 Radio System
• Connection Box &  Bluetooth
• ABS + ESP
• Auto AC, cruise control & tinted windows

Finally it was time to replace the 14 year old battler. Many models were on the shortlist, then compared and trialled – remember I have a whole 11 franchise dealership to choose from so there was a lot of choice – but in our minds there was a clear winner.

I think it is the best looking SUV around.  I enjoy comparing it to others when we are parked, and it just looks good. There is nothing weird or detracting about it yet it stands out. Inside, nothing feel plasticy or cheap. I’m comfy, the back has heaps of room. And it’s lovely to drive.

My husband goes on about how good the steering wheel is – boys get this – I don’t but will agree it’s nice. We drove from Manly to Dubbo on half a tank of petrol. It’s so easy to park. It has heaps of standard features that you only usually see on the luxury German marquees.

koleos showing off its oodles of storage space

But for me it’s the little things……..
I have a chilled glovebox, that keeps my water bottles and lunches cool.
My nephews and nieces love the tray tables in the back – just like an aeroplane – which makes me the coolest Auntie (at least for a little while)
I unfortunately am I classic virgo, so I can’t help my need to organise and store things. In my Koleos I have storage in my doors, cup holders, sunglass holder, wallet holder, under floor storage in the back (perfect for hiding sneaky purchases)
We can easily put the bikes in the back without having to dismantle them.
It has an automatic handbrake – hill starts are no longer a problem.
My wipers go on when it starts raining and adjust to how heavy it is.
When it gets dark or I go in a carpark my headlights go on automatically.
I push a button to start it and stop it.
My mirrors tuck in with the touch of a button.
The drink holders don’t spill drinks.
Music sounds great.
I can have it warm on my side, husband can have it cool on his.
The seats fold down to amek an amazing amonut of room.
I can get a tent for it if I want.

My 'wings" tucking in

So take my musings on my Koleos however you like but we have had ours for a year and a half now and have zero complaints ….or maybe one….the new version has in-built sat nav and the communications centre – I want it!!

Under floor storage is perfect for getting 'sneaky purchases" home!Oodles of storage - we put our bikes in no problem

From 2011, Renault will progressively roll out four electric vehicles, these vehicles will be rolled out initially in the Northern Hemisphere, with Renault yet to confirm an Australian roll-out, but commentators expect it to be in early 2012.

First out of the stable will be a variation of the electric family car, the Fluence, and will initially be available in Israel and Europe. Up next, is an electric version of the ever popular Kangoo express, and is intended for fleet and business use.

The range will then be extended, with 2 vehicles designed from scratch as electric vehicles. Derived from the Twizy Z.E. Concept, the third vehicle from the range will be a target for those requiring urban mobility. The fourth vehicle, which takes it inspiration from Zoe Z.E. Concept, will go on sale at the beginning of 2012 and will be a multi-purpose daily driver for built-up areas.

These four vehicles will cover a range of end users and uses but all one thing in common, they will be entering a new era of zero-emission mobility.

WORLD LEADING SAFETY
A commitment to style should never mean sacrificing safety. In a world first, the all new Laguna utilises dual side impact sensors that can reduce the time taken to deploy the side airbags by up to half. This system, along with a host of innovative safety features, has helped the all new Laguna Hatch attain a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, scoring 36 points from a possible 37 (one of the highest results ever recorded).

UNCOMPROMISING COMFORT
Inside the all new Laguna, nothing is more important than your complete comfort. Beneath the distinctive dashboard rests an air-quality system that automatically closes when it detects external impurities entering the cabin. And there’s dual zone climate control with three modes to maintain your ideal driving environment.

TAKE BEAUTIFUL THINKING FOR A TEST DRIVE
Discover what it feels like to drive beautiful thinking. What’s more, you have the option of petrol or turbo diesel, and the added reassurance of a 3-year/150,000 km warranty on both Laguna Hatch and Laguna Estate (available late 2008).

CLICK HERE for more information and to go to the Renault Laguna Microsite

Contact Col Crawford Renault on 9941 1200 and book your test drive of the all new Laguna today.