New car lines

Hybrid power, low emissions and high fuel efficiency is not the kind of equation that suggests the kind of sharp and sporty handling that Lexus has built into its new, full hybrid CT 200h. From the outset, Lexus has aimed to make the CT 200h a true driver’s car. Delivering on this promise was not a matter of finding some clever add-on parts, but required fundamental reappraisal of the chassis and bodyshell design.
True to its reputation for pioneering advanced technology, Lexus has equipped CT 200h with lateral performance dampers, components that, until now, have largely been the preserve of a very few high-performance models. Lexus has used the damping technology as an effective way of increasing torsional rigidity, suppressing vibrations and contributing to ride comfort without the penalty of extra weight. The work invested by Lexus in CT 200h’s chassis and body forms part of a full dynamic package for the car that includes equally detailed attention to aerodynamics, steering, suspension and even the driver’s position at the wheel to achieve sporty, rewarding performance. The CT 200h will form the centrepiece of Lexus’s display at the Paris motor show before going on sale in the UK early next year.

	Honda is bringing together fans of its high performance Type R cars at a special event at Silverstone on 22 August to mark the end of the road for the model in Britain. The celebration of the famous 'Red H' badge coincides with the latest rounds of the British Touring Car Championship, featuring Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden in the Honda Racing Team. As well as watching the thrilling tin top racing on the Northamptonshire circuit, enthusiasts from the biggest Honda owners' clubs in the UK will get the chance to experience the track for themselves in a 'Lap of Honour' to commemorate the Type R.
An exclusive Type R Only Car Park will also be available for those Honda drivers attending the event, and each attendee will be able to enjoy Honda’s ‘Dreamfields’ hospitality throughout the day. The celebration at Silverstone marks the news that UK sales of the current Civic Type R are drawing to a close. Production of the hot hatch for the UK market will end in October 2010, with sales ending during December, due to forthcoming Euro V emissions regulations. Over 12,000 of this generation of Civic Type R have been sold in the UK since its introduction in January 2007. Production of the 3-door Civic Type R will continue at Honda’s factory in Swindon, to supply other markets further afield, such as Australia and South Africa. With the end of this generation of Type R in sight, Honda is using the Silverstone event to launch a new offer for all new Civic Type R customers. Buyers of the high-revving hot hatch can now benefit from significantly lower OTR prices and a competitive finance deal to make paying monthly easier. The Type R GT is now available at £19,495 – that’s a sizable customer saving of £2,230. And the new PCP finance offer of 5.9% (over 43 months) means a Type R could cost as little as £235 a month, with a 30% deposit. The offer covers the Type R GT, Type R LSD and Type R MUGEN 200 models, and runs from now until 29 September, 2010.

BMW will build its Grand Coupe concept car, the company's development chief Klaus Draeger said. The production Grand Coupe will rival luxury coupe-styled four-door cars such as the Mercedes CLS, Audi's upcoming A7 and the Porsche Panamera. The concept was unveiled at the Beijing auto show in April. Lamborghini is also moving closer to building a saloon to compete against Aston Martin and Maserati.

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