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Hot Renaults and Fiats, Volt is priced and new BMW and VWs are coming
publication date: Jul 4, 2011
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author/source: Robin Roberts
 | Following the recent launch of the flagship 265hp
Trophy version of Mégane Renaultsport, its two smaller, but no less
thrilling, performance siblings, Twingo and Clio Renaultsport, now
welcome their own top-of-the-range versions, the ‘Silverstone GP'
limited editions.
Both new models have
been specifically created for the UK market, still the largest home of
Renault's hot hatches worldwide, with only 50 of each available. | Renault UK has
an existing relationship with Silverstone, the country's most famous
motor racing circuit and home of the British Grand Prix, through a fleet
of Renaultsport trackday experience cars and the venue for several of
the performance division's trackdays, so it was only natural that the
French marque took it as its latest inspiration.
The
effusive Twingo Renaultsport 133, costs £14,995, while the
top-of-the-range Clio Renaultsport 200 comes in at £19,995.
With a
wealth of extra equipment over the standard Renaultsport versions on
which they're based, both limited editions offer exceptional
value-for-money, combined with added exclusivity.
Both cars share the
same purposeful stance, as if they were specifically honed to grace the
Silverstone tarmac. Each sits on lowered Cup Chassis with a striking
combination of silver metallic paint and contrasting ‘Deep Black'
details, including 17" alloy wheels (‘Speedline' on the Clio), roof and
door mirrors. Completing the exclusive look, both of the new limited
edition Renaultsports also feature extra-tinted rear windows and
Silverstone GP B-pillar badges inscribed with the new grand prix circuit
map. The Twingo also benefits from a matching ‘Deep Black' rear spoiler
and fog light surrounds.
The pocket-rocket Twingo notably gains an
all-new Renaultsport full stainless steel exhaust system, providing a
suitable throaty soundtrack to match its visual presence.
On the
inside, the two new versions boast a unique numbered interior plaque
(1-50), Renaultsport Monitor onboard performance tracking system and
grey and black Renaultsport carpet mats. The Clio also features
Renaultsport Recaro front seats, Bluetooth and multi-functional
TunePoint for portable music players.
Track-bred from the outset,
owners of both new limited editions also receive a free Renaultsport
Experience at Silverstone, usually £175, so that they can explore the
full handling and performance potential of their new metal in a real
circuit environment, but under the expert tuition of a fully-qualified
instructor. | | | | Unlike most electric cars, the only time a
Chevrolet Volt really needs a charge attached to it is when you buy it
in the first place!
And when it goes on sale in the UK next
year, the Volt will cost from £28,545 after the government backed £5,000
electric vehicle grant, making it less expensive than some traditional
petrol or diesel engined five-door hatchbacks.
Of course, by plugging
it in, you'll save yourself a fortune. |  | The Volt has an electric-only
range of between 30 and 50 miles depending on terrain and traffic
conditions, after which its on-board generator kicks in to sustain
battery power.
Unlike conventional hybrids, the electric drivetrain -
known as E-REV, Extended-Range Electric Vehicle - directly powers the
car's wheels. The petrol engine is there to simply prevent the battery
going flat, thus eliminating the fear of ‘range anxiety' experienced by
users of other electric vehicles, who are dependent on a limited range
and a charging infrastructure before they can use their cars without
compromise.
Yet if the driver is only commuting, he or she need never
put any petrol in the car, meaning it only ever needs fuelling for
longer journeys.
The Chevrolet Camaro has already got
lots of fans going ga-ga, and with the UK prices now announced it's
bound to be a number one hit!
Arriving in showrooms in
early 2012, the beefy American muscle car will be available from only
£34,995 on-the-road. For that, customers will get a 6.2-litre V8 engined
performance icon, with 432PS and suspension fine-tuned for European
roads. The convertible model, which comes with a power-folding roof,
will cost £39,995. Both variants are full European specification, with
type-approved lighting and European-calibrated dials.
● The
American firm is running summer offers on some of its most popular
retail models, with massive savings of up to £2,000 across the range,
including on the new Captiva and Orlando models. There are also some
hugely attractive monthly payment contract hire plans, meaning owning a
Chevrolet has never been more affordable. | | | | It's an international award-winning and highly
successful engine, but now TwinAir is set to become a version in its own
right - within the popular 500 city car line-up.
The
TwinAir cars will attract new customers to the Fiat 500 family with
their sporty and assertive appearance, which is enhanced by black alloy
wheels, burnished metal effects on dashboard and front and rear
mouldings, spoiler, chrome exhaust pipe and sports seats. The style and
content of these TwinAir features maximise the new car's ‘fun to drive'
appeal. |  | Coming in two trim levels - TwinAir and TwinAir Plus - the
new line-up is considered the ‘perfect Fiat 500' not only in terms of
value for money, but also in engine technology.
The TwinAir range
will come in both 500 (hatchback) and 500C (convertible) versions and
will only be available in vibrant colours such as Pearlescent Red,
Tropicalia Yellow and Electroclash Grey. A special colour, Midnight
Black, is available only on the TwinAir Plus model.
The new range starts at £11,600 OTR for the TwinAir, rising to £12,700 for the TwinAir Plus. | | | | Volkswagen's revised Tiguan compact SUV is now on sale with the first customer deliveries arriving in the UK in September.
Like
the previous model, the latest Tiguan is unique in being available not
only with a choice of two- or four-wheel drive, but also with the option
of two front ends in its 25-strong range.
Four trim levels available: S, SE,
Sport and Escape. |  | One has a front end biased
towards on-road driving with an 18 degree angle of approach while an
‘Escape' model has a 28 degree angle of approach and additional
technologies for off-road driving.
All models will be well equipped, with 16-inch alloy
wheels, Climatic air conditioning, DAB radio and alarm standard on even
the entry-level S. SE adds 17-inch alloys, 2Zone electronic air
conditioning, Park Assist, iPod and Bluetooth preparation plus Fatigue
Detection system (as fitted to the new Passat) as standard.
Sport
versions gain multi-function steering wheel and Bluetooth connectivity,
plus chrome plated roof rails, heat insulated and tinted glass from the
B-pillar back, sport seats, front fog lights and sports suspension among
other items.
The new Escape model features comfort and convenience
features (including Bluetooth and multi-function steering wheel) which
were not previously available, reflecting a change in customer demands
for off-road capability and a high level of equipment.
Broadly speaking the new series costs between £21,000 and £28,000. | | | | The arrival of the new BMW 520d EfficientDynamics
Saloon in September sets a new benchmark for efficiency and driving
pleasure in its class.
With the all-important UK business
market in mind, BMW engineers have created a car that is approximately
10 per cent more fuel-efficient than the best its rivals can muster,
without reducing the 184hp or 380Nm of torque developed by the 2.0-litre
turbodiesel engine. |  | This equates to fuel economy of 62.8mpg and CO2
emissions of 119g/km, which means a company car benefit-in-kind taxation
band of only 13 per cent.
In addition to the standard Auto
Start-Stop, Optimum Gearshift Indicator, Brake Energy Regeneration and
Active Aerodynamics, the BMW 520d EfficientDynamics Saloon has a longer
final drive ratio to reduce engine revs at highway speeds, and low
rolling resistance tyres on Streamline-design alloy wheels. This all
helps to accelerate the car from zero to 62mph in just 8.2 seconds.
The
520d EfficientDynamics Saloon also comes with BMW's new ECO-PRO Mode. A
driver-activated switch promotes economical and comfortable driving at
low speeds by adjusting the engine mapping, throttle sensitivity,
automatic gearshift points, where applicable, and the amount of power
consumed by electrical ancillaries including climate control and heated
seats.
The new model goes on sale in September priced from £30,435 OTR. |
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