WE LIKE
1. The daring and funky looks
2. The quick and easy-to-use electric roof
3. Budget pricing
WE DON'T LIKE
1. Unresponsive brakes and over-eager ABS system
2. Disappointing performance
3. Lack of cabin storage
Car manufacturers are always plugging gaps in their ranges with models that you never thought you needed, and generally don't, but Renault might just have found a little niche that is worth exploiting with the Wind - the small budget convertible that sits between the Twingo city car and supermini Clio in size.
Strictly speaking there are a few of these on the market at the moment, with Smart, Mini, Peugeot and Fiat all making tiny droptops. But all of these either look like adaptations of a the hatchbacks they are based on, or are heavily compromised in some way - normally by having a much smaller boot than the normal version.
The Wind is refreshingly different and, dare we say it, trendy compared to the rest of the Renault range, and is aimed squarely at younger drivers. To do this, it has been placed at the cheaper end of the price bracket that convertibles inhabit, undercutting the likes of the MX-5 and the Mini by a couple of thousand pounds.
Part of the cost cutting that permits this price tag is a simple range that consists of just two engines and three trim levels, with the top spec model still coming in well under £20,000. The pick of the engines is the 1.2-litre 99bhp turbocharged version. It is not the quickest, but it has more response at lower revs than some of the bigger options and still holds its own on a motorway jaunt.
You won't want to spend too much time at speed in the Wind though, not least because no-one will be able to see you in a car that will be mostly used as a fashion accessory. It is happy enough at a higher pace, but the brakes leave something to be desired. Press gently on them, and there isn't quite enough bite to instil confidence, but give them more of a dab and before you know it the ABS has kicked in.
Beyond the low price, the roof will be what appeals to most of the Wind's buyers. It is a clever system that sees a panel open on the top of the boot, into which the hardtop rotates on an axis, hiding it out of view so as to not spoil the lines of a quirky but good looking car.
It is a neat trick, and one that takes just 12 seconds from start to finish and it doesn't eat into the boot capacity. The down side is that it can only be done when the car is at a standstill and has the handbrake applied.
The Wind won't provide as many thrills as say, an MX-5, but it is a budget convertible with a unique image and that will be enough for most of its image conscious buyers.
Average
User reviews (12)
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Janet McPherson05 May 2011
We have had our Wind one week and just did the first proper trip on the motorway. It was so windy and noisy and uncomfortable with the roof down that we are rejecting it and returning it to the garage when we get home. Couldn't hear the radio, the Tomtom or even each other even at 60mph. Having had 2 Tigras over the last 6 years they are wholly superior in design when it comes to use of space and top-down driving - never had any wind or buffeting issues. Renault have a lot to learn and the whole selling point of this car has been how quickly the roof operates - just as well when you have to stop on the motorway because you have had enough! Its name is one letter short - Wind-y!!
Report as inappropriateTerry07 May 2011
Got the Wind to replace the wife's Tigra and wish we hadn't bothered. I have just driven on the Whitby to Bridlington coast road and trust me I won't be driving it again.The handling is appalling so much so that I took it back to the dealer to make sure that everything was bolted on the right way up.If you are not a Jedi forget about parallel parking because the rear vision is that bad you have to use the force.
Report as inappropriateJanet McPherson09 May 2011
As an update we have just returned ours to the dealership - who have been marvellous and the design of the car is NOT their fault! Had a full refund and they still had our Tigra so we bought it back for the same price they paid us for it. Try the same Terry if it's not too late (you have 28 days from new) - under the Sale of Goods Act it is not fit for purpose - ie as a convertible. It is NOT a serious convertible, just a commuter car with a clever roof action. On the return journey we had the roof up and it was still noisy, turbulent (like being in a plane) and you cannot use the armrest - it's too low! Also used 50% less fuel on the return so we are talking some serious drag! Will be taking this up with Renault but am SOOOOOO glad to have my Tigger back!!
Report as inappropriatestephen john biggs14 May 2011
I'm amazed at the comments from previous contributors. I bought a 1.2 GT Line 2 weeks ago, and I've done 1300 miles so far. Let's get the negative stuff out the way first. ROAD NOISE, it's pretty tiring with the roof up. Geariing is too low, the 5 Speed box is fine, but it would benefit from a 6th ratio. Interior is acceptable rather than posh. Car automatically locks itself, and the alarm goes off when you wash it - because it is so sensitive. Leather seats are comfy, but look a bit naff - bting back the velour from Renault's 1970s models please! Now the good bits. Who else offers a scuttle shake free convertible at £12,000 new (after discount)? Very quiet when the roof is down. Cheap to fuel, and insure. I'm getting 39 mpg, and expect more on long runs. Bluetooth picks up my iPod without wires (BMW take note). Stereo is audible at 70 mph roof down. HUGE BOOT, shames our 3 Series for access & shape. Brilliant handling, really grips on tight corners. Excellent cruise control. Turns heads, all my passengers reckon it's a great little car. It fits in the garage no problem. Forget the stories about difficult parking & visibility. It doesn't take long to get the hang of approaching junctions at a different angle, & let's be honest the car is so small it's a doddle to fit into most gaps. If in doubt, take a drive. I reckon it's better than a 500 convertible, and more exclusive than a Mini cabrio. Just don't pay list price....
Report as inappropriateJanet McPherson14 May 2011
Well I am really glad you're pleased with it but I am wondering if it depends on what you are used to? And we really couldn't have driven the one we had as the wind turbulence around our heads was horrendous/unbearable. Cannot get the same effect even by removeing the windbreak in the Tigra. I would hold fire on celebrating the fuel consumption though until you have had it on a long motorway trip - maybe then you will get that awful turbulence and drag that we did resulting in a 50% increase. How on earth did you get a £17k car for £12k? Sounds like they might have been glad to shift it - that's one hell of a discount! Interesting comment though about the "huge boot" - at 270 litres constant it is a huge loss of stowage against a Tigra, which has 70 litres inside behind the seats plus 250 with the roof down and a whopping 440 with the roof up, so your BMW must have been REALLY small!
Report as inappropriateLeigh05 June 2011
I have the gt line wind and drove from leeds to caernarfon yesterday all with the top down not a prob could hear the radio easily little bemused by some of the comments, especially from Tigra owners the most un exciting drop top on the market??? The wind looks amazing, the one thing that does let it down is storage could do with some space behind the seat being utilized better. Other than that great. Ppl in britain just love to whinge about anything and everything.
Report as inappropriatethomaswicksteed12 June 2011
Same rating as per review as I have not sampled one. What can Renault have been thinking about giving a vehicle for sale in the U.K. such a name! In the past G.M. were alert enough to re-christen the Nova for sale in Spain on account of "No va" meaning "doesn't go" in Spanish. Renault's folly has been commented on in the motoring press so it is not just my lavatorial humour at work.
Report as inappropriatedean judson19 July 2011
Had this car 2 weeks from new .... And I love it... Great handling , great space inside and cheap to run also looks great
Report as inappropriates.a27 July 2011
great car , a little extra noise , but who cares when youve got , mp3, bluetooth, air con and a roof which splits in 12 secs( more like 10.5), a nice little nippy turbo charged engine, low profile tyres, leather bucket seats, cruise control/ speed limiter, traction control.... come on- wy would you want to return to another convertible , for 12 grand? and its a head turner- and for those who say ' its french', time to get over it- renault/red bull are in the upmost league in car development- look at formula one, i dont see any english manufactrers touching it
Report as inappropriateLorraine30 July 2011
We have just purchased a brand new renault wind cash, and have had it less than a week. The car handles nicely and looks lovely however recent trip on the motor-way caused me concern. You cant see much when changing lanes and nearly crashed into someone when changing lanes. My confidence in this car has been shot. I feel it is only a matter of time before I kill myself or someone else. I want to return this car and have had it less than a week. Can anyone give me any help.
Report as inappropriateTom07 November 2011
I'm amazed by some of these comments - did any of you complaining about wind noise, poor vision etc actually take a test drive before taking delivery of your cars?!
Report as inappropriatethomaswicksteed20 December 2011
It seems this vehicle is now being withdrawn from U.K. sale. Had it been called the Breeze (Brize in French) it might have had a chance!
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