The ZOE finished first and second in the all-electric vehicle class in the 2016 e-Rallye Monte-Carlo.

• Four Renault crews started the demanding e-Rallye Monte-Carlo for clean cars
• The ZOE finished first and second in the all-electric vehicle class
• French model, actress and TV presenter Adriana Karembeu defended Renault’s colours with a spirited performance for her maiden participation

The drama-packed 2016 e-Rallye Monte-Carlo saw Renault ZOEs combine second and third places overall with victory in the all-electric vehicle class. 

This year’s event took the challenge a step further with a 1,300-kilometre route that incorporated six timed regularity zones (RZ), with some of the action taking place after nightfall. 

The French model, actress and TV presenter Adriana Karembeu came 17th out of 34 starters in the N°2 ZOE. It was a memorable human and technological adventure for every one of the four crews entered by Renault.

The ZOE: number one in motorsport and for everyday use

Following back-to-back victories on the Rallye Monte-Carlo ZENN (Zero Emissions, No Noise) organised by the ACM (Automobile Club de Monaco) in 2014 and 2015, Renault decided to defend its record on this unique event this time around. 

For 2016, the competition was renamed the e-Rallye Monte-Carlo and featured classes for all types of energy (all-electric, hybrid, fuel cell, etc.), with the exception of 100-percent fossil fuels. 

At the recent Paris Motor Show, Renault – an electric vehicle pioneer and the number one EV seller in Europe for the past four years – revealed that it has doubled the driving range of the ZOE. 

The top-selling model, a favourite with families and businesses alike, now boasts an NEDC range of 400 kilometres, equivalent to a real-world range of approximately 300 kilometres and a performance that allows users to put charging-related concerns to the back of their mind. 

Orders are already open for ZOEs equipped with the new Z.E.40 battery and deliveries are due to begin before the end of the year. Taking part in the e-Rallye Monte-Carlo was consequently an entirely logical decision.

The 2016 e-Rallye Monte-Carlo (October 12-16) started in Fontainebleau, near Paris, France, and ended in Monaco. The entry list featured 34 crews who represented most of the manufacturers active in the market. 

Groupe Renault entered four ZOEs: two for specialists Greg Jonkerlynck / Yves Munier and Aurore Ferry / Pascal Ferry, plus one for Norwegian journalist Gro Flaaten and a fourth for French bloggers Alexandre Stricher (Autocult) / Michael Torregrossa (Automobile-Propre). Meanwhile, Adriana Karembeu was part of the all-lady crew in the N°2 ZOE. 

With previous participations on the Rallye des Princesses and the Rallye des Gazelles to her name, the French model, actress and TV presenter is no stranger to motorsport. 

She also shares the values championed by Renault and, throughout the e-Rallye Monte-Carlo, was her usual vibrant and charming self, always happy to take time to chat with her many fans.

At the end of the four-day competition, which packed its fair share of surprises and drama (including a power cut across the whole of one town, punctures, torrential rain and night-time action until four o’clock in the morning), the ZOE not only topped the final order in the all-electric vehicle class but also claimed second and third places overall. 

Third spot went to the Renault squad’s two bloggers in a car equipped with the new Z.E. 40 battery, while runner-up honours were bagged by privateers Christophe PONSET / Serge PASTOR whose ZOE was powered by a battery with a range of 240km, proof of the ZOE’s capabilities irrespective of generation.

Alexandre Stricher (www.autocult.fr), 3^rd overall:

“The level of the entry was much higher this year. The status of the e-Rallye Monte-Carlo is growing fast and the organisers served us with a genuinely challenging event. 

Our ZOE was equipped with the new Z.E. 40 battery and we were able to cross France without having to worry about running out of power. 

We prepared carefully and, with road sections of up to 240 kilometres in length, we obviously had our eyes on the satnav, but never on the battery gauge. 

Renault has sparked a revolution in the world of affordable electric cars and we completed the rally ahead of models like the BMW i3, the Kia Soul, the Volkswagen E-Golf and even the Tesla S! We could have exceeded distances of 340km during the rally and I am certain we could even exceed 400km in real-world use. That’s my personal challenge!”

Renault would like to thank the crews for their commitment, sportsmanship and good humour.

Find leg-by-leg reports on the Renault blog: https://group.renault.com/actualites/blog-renault

FINAL OVERALL POSITIONS

1, Artur PRUSAK (POL) / Thierry BENCHETRIT (FRA), Toyota Mirai

2, Christophe PONSET (FRA) / Serge PASTOR (FRA), Renault ZOE

3, Alexandre STRICHER (FRA) / Michael TORREGROSSA (FRA), Renault ZOE

ITINERARY

Day 1 (October 12)

Fontainebleau to Nevers (198km / 2h40m) via A19, A77 and N7

Battery charge (1 hour) at Renault Simmoneau Automobiles, Nevers

Nevers to Moulins (65km / 45 mins) via N7

Battery charge (30 minutes) at Leclerc Avermes supermarket

Day 2 (October 13)

Moulins to Saint Etienne (179km / 2h30m) via N7

Battery charge (2½ hours) at Renault Liogier La Talaudière

Saint Etienne to Circuit d’Alès (221km / 4h30m), via les Monts de l’Ardèche and Col de la Fayolle on D122 (altitude: 877 metres)

Battery charge (2½ hours) at a public car park

Day 3 – October 14)

Regularity test (Circuit d’Alès)

Alès to Nimes (52km / 50 mins)

Battery charge (1 hour) at LIDL supermarket, Nimes

Nimes Town Hall to Fontvielle (35km / 40 mins)

RZ1: Fontvielle-Eyguières (34km / 40 mins)

Eyguières to Manosque (82km / 1h20m), via D23, D973 and D996

Battery charge (2 hours) at Renault Manosque

RZ2: Manosque-Montmeyan (46km / 1 hour)

RZ3: Régusse-Draguignan (42km / 1 hour)

Draguignan to Monaco (112km / 2 hours) via A8

Battery charge (2 hours) at the Novotel, Monaco

Day 4 – October 15

Monaco to Castillon (23km / 50 mins)

RZ4, RZ5 and RZ6: Castillon-Sospel (62km / 2 hours)

Sospel to Monaco (30km / 45 mins)

Renault to take part in e-Rallye Monte-Carlo for third time with four ZOEs with new Z.E. 40 battery.

• Renault to take part in e-Rallye Monte-Carlo for third time
• Four ZOEs with new Z.E. 40 battery will take part in the event
• ZOE has won the event twice before, in 2014 and 2015
• This year’s event runs from October 12^th to 16^th, starting in Fontainebleau

Renault is taken part for the third time in the e-Rallye Monte-Carlo (October 12-16) for zero CO₂emissions vehicles for the third time. 

The entry consists of four ZOEs, all equipped with the new Z.E. 40 battery that is now available for the model. The event runs from Fontainebleau, near Paris, to Monaco. 

After winning in both years it has participated, in 2014 and 2015, the ZOE will this year benefit from twice the driving range to take its crews even further still. 

Renault is also pleased to announce that the actress and model Adriana Karembeu is part of its driver line-up for this year’s rally.

The pioneering spirit of the FIA-sanctioned e-Rallye Monte-Carlo is founded on a unique combination of human endeavour and advanced technologies. 

Open to zero-emissions, CO₂-free vehicles, the 36-strong field will start this year’s competition in Fontainebleau (70km south of Paris) and travel across France to the event’s climax in the Principality of Monaco.

Now equipped with a new battery that has doubled the model’s NEDC-cycle driving range to 250 miles, the Renault ZOE - which is targeting its third e-Rallye Monte-Carlo success from three starts – stands out as the ideal companion for weekends away, holidays and discovering new horizons, even in the world of motorsport. 

This year’s rally is sure to put competing vehicles to a challenging test thanks to a program that incorporates 220 miles of competitive action, including a visit to the famous Col de Turini.

The ZOE is the European market’s number one electric vehicle with more than 50,000 registrations since its launch, and the crews of the four cars entered for the e-Rallye Monte-Carlo will be looking to steer it to the top of the finish podium in Monaco on Sunday, October 16. One of the four drivers defending its chances will be Adriana Karembeu. The model, actress and TV presenter – who has a keen interest in motorsport (Rallye des Gazelles, Rallye des Princesses) and who is also an active fund-raiser for charities like the French Red Cross and Reporters Sans Frontières – will contribute her charisma and driving skills to Renault’s bid for outright victory.

Ford announces that it will be returning to teh Le Mans race in 2016 - 50 years after its 1966 overall victory.

• Ford returns to Le Mans in 2016 with the all-new Ford GT supercar to compete in LM GTE Pro class, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Ford’s 1966 overall victory
• All-new Ford factory program to compete in both the FIA World Endurance Championship and TUDOR United SportsCar Championship with a two-team, four-car effort – operated by Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates
• Ford GT is company’s showcase for aerodynamics and lightweight carbon fibre construction, along with new twin-turbocharged Ford EcoBoost V6  – most powerful EcoBoost production engine ever

Ford announced today it is returning to one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world with its new Ford GT race car, based on the all-new ultra-high-performance supercar that goes on sale next year.

The Ford GT race car will compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans – referred to by many as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency – starting next year. Revealed today at the famous circuit in Le Mans, France, Ford GT will compete in the Le Mans GT Endurance class for professional teams and drivers (LM GTE Pro).

The new race car – a further proof point of Ford innovation – is based on the all-new Ford GT supercar unveiled in January. Both the production car and race car will arrive in 2016 to mark the 50th anniversary of Ford GT race cars placing 1-2-3 at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ford went on to repeat its victory at Le Mans in 1967, 1968 and 1969.

“When the GT40 competed at Le Mans in the 1960s, Henry Ford II sought to prove Ford could beat endurance racing’s most legendary manufacturers,” said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company. “We are still extremely proud of having won this iconic race four times in a row, and that same spirit that drove the innovation behind the first Ford GT still drives us today.”

The new Ford GT race car will run the full 2016 schedules of the FIA World Endurance Championship and TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, making its competition debut in January 2016 in the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Florida. The two Ford teams will be operated by Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS). Both series teams intend to compete with a four-car effort at Le Mans. Drivers will be announced later.

The all-new Ford GT serves as the pinnacle product of the new Ford Performance group, a division dedicated to providing innovation through performance.

Set to deliver more than 12 new performance vehicles by 2020, Ford Performance will leverage its racing efforts and expertise to speed innovations on dedicated performance models and performance parts in order to more quickly iterate the latest technologies that can ultimately be applied to the full Ford vehicle line-up.

The performance segment is a growing business for Ford, as the company recognises its customers’ desire for vehicles that offer excellent fuel economy, leading technology and a great driving experience. The Ford Performance line-up includes Ford GT, Focus RS, F-150 Raptor, Shelby GT350 and Shelby GT350R, Focus ST and Fiesta ST.

“Ford remains focused on three priorities globally – accelerating our One Ford plan, delivering product excellence with passion and driving innovation in every part of our business,” said Mark Fields, Ford Motor Company president and CEO. “All three came together to create the new Ford GT. We also know from our rich history in motorsports that world-class competition is a great incubator for even further product innovation.”

The Ford GT race car features a number of innovations Ford believes will not only make it competitive in LM GTE Pro, but ultimately positioned to provide benefits to each vehicle in the Ford line-up. These include state-of-the-art aerodynamics to deliver outstanding levels of downforce for improved stability with minimal drag, advanced lightweight composites featuring carbon fibre for an exceptionally rigid but light chassis, and the power and efficiency of EcoBoost technology.

“As we developed the Ford GT, from the outset, we wanted to ensure we had a car that has what it takes to return Ford to the world of GT racing,” said Raj Nair, Ford Motor Company group vice president, Global Product Development and chief technical officer. “We believe the Ford GT’s advances in aerodynamics, light-weighting and EcoBoost power will make for a compelling race car that can once again compete on a global stage.”

Joining Ford in this project are Multimatic Motorsports, Roush Yates Engines, Castrol, Michelin, Forza Motorsport, Sparco, Brembo and CGRFS. The race car has undergone extensive design and testing within Ford and Multimatic, with CGRFS providing input into the development. Roush Yates is supporting development of the 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 – the most powerful EcoBoost production engine ever.

The 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine debuted in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship in 2014. Since then, Ford, with CGRFS, has captured significant overall wins at the 12 Hours of Sebring and Rolex 24 At Daytona. Besides great success in sports cars, Ganassi race teams achieved major victories in the Daytona 500, Brickyard 400 and Indianapolis 500.

“We’ve won races and championships, but we’ve never run Le Mans,” said team owner Chip Ganassi. “When presented the opportunity to compete with the all-new Ford GT on the world’s biggest sports car stage, and on the 50th anniversary of one of the most storied victories in racing history, how could any race team not want to be part of that? Will it be a challenge? Absolutely, but we couldn’t be with a better partner than Ford.”

Aston martin enters full FIA World Endurance Championship

• Four Vantage GTEs will be entered into the full FIA World Endurance Championship
• Aston Martin Racing retains Darren Turner and Stefan Mücke for 2013 
• Frédéric Makowiecki and Bruno Senna signed to drive a second GTE Pro car
• Major upgrades to the Vantage GTE
• The team aims for win at Le Mans and in the WEC

Aston Martin Racing has unveiled its most ambitious motorsport programme to date as it aims to win both the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), as the marque celebrates its centenary year.

Underlining the success of its return to GT racing in 2012 and its commitment to the WEC, the team has confirmed a four-car entry into the series; two Vantage GTEs in both the Pro and Am classes.

Entry into the series means that each of the four V8-powered Vantage GTEs will compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the third round of the WEC on 22nd-23rd June, making this the largest factory team entry into the event by Aston Martin in the history of the marque. Two potential further entries for Le Mans and selected WEC rounds are on the reserve list.

The GTE Pro entries, #97 and #99, will be the heavily-revised 2013 Vantage GTE. Dan Sayers, chief engineer at Aston Martin Racing explains: “When redeveloping the race-winning 2012 Vantage GTE for the 2013 season, the design team focussed on increasing the drivability of the car and optimising the performance.”

The new Gulf-liveried #97 machine will once again be piloted by Darren Turner (GB), who celebrates his 9th season driving for the team. Stefan Mücke (D), who joined the team in 2008, will partner Turner once again. Together, Turner and Mücke will contest every round of the WEC with the aim of winning the GTE Pro championship. For the 24 Hours of Le Mans and for the second round of the WEC, the Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, Peter Dumbreck (GB), who returns to GT racing after competing in the 2012 WEC in the LMP1 category, will join the team.

The second GTE Pro car, the #99 Vantage GTE, will bring some new faces to Aston Martin Racing; Formula One driver Bruno Senna (BR) and Frenchman Frédéric Makowiecki will drive at each round of the WEC and will be joined by Rob Bell (GB) for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.

The #95 car is a brand new Vantage GTE, which, in accordance with the WEC GTE Am class regulations, is built to 2012 specification. The car – which proved its competitiveness by winning the 2012 Six Hours of Shanghai in the hands of the factory team – will be driven by three Danes; Allan Simonsen, Christoffer Nygard and Kristian Poulsen. The trio are no strangers to Aston Martin Racing following their GTE Am entry at Le Mans last year.

The final car in the four-strong line up – the #96, which is a new car identical to the #95 car – will run in the GTE Am category and will see Roald Goethe (D) and Stuart Hall (GB) team up once again. The pair, who proved to be a formidable force for Aston Martin Racing last year at the Six Hours of Silverstone, will be joined by FIA GT Championship-winning driver Jamie Campbell-Walter (GB).

In addition to the WEC programme, Turner, Mücke and Senna will contest the first round of the American Le Mans Series, the 12 Hours of Sebring, on 16th March in the 2013 Vantage GTE.

David Richards, Chairman of Aston Martin, comments: “There is a real sense of anticipation in the Aston Martin Racing team this year and a belief that it is once again our time to return to the top step of the podium at Le Mans. It would be a fitting way for Aston Martin, which has such a rich heritage in motorsport and particularly at Le Mans, to cap its centenary year.”

John Gaw, managing director and team principal at Aston Martin Racing adds: “Last year we proved how fast and reliable the car was, and our two GTE Am entries will pick up where the Pro car finished with victory in Shanghai last year.

“Overall, around 30 per cent of all components on the 2013-specification Pro cars are new, which makes for a significant improvement. We looked at specific areas where we could take weight out of the car and redistribute it to a better location. We have also revised the suspension, which has not only improved the handling but, when combined with the new fly-by wire throttle allowed under this year’s regulations, makes the car easier to drive.

“Our aim is to win at Le Mans and in the WEC and we are particularly pleased to welcome such a professional driver line-up to Aston Martin Racing for this centenary year.”

The V8-powered Vantage GTE is based upon Aston Martin’s sportiest road-going model, the Vantage coupé. It shares that car’s bonded aluminium structure and fundamental engine and suspension designs, emphasising the base car’s inherent sporting nature.

Aston Martin Racing’s season gets underway at the 12 Hours of Sebring, Florida, on March 16th, while the 2013 WEC begins on Sunday 14th April at the team’s home round of the series, the Six Hours of Silverstone. Follow the team’s progress throughout the year on Twitter using the handle @amr_official, on Facebook at www.fb.com/astonmartinracing and on the website at www.astonmartin.com/racing.