2008 Renault Megane uncovered!!

Updated: 22/06/08:

Renault is readying one of their most important models in the line-up. With the Peugeot 308, KIA Cee'd, FIAT Bravo, Ford Focus and Nissan Qashqai selling in excess of 100,000 units, Renault is losing money fast. The Megane is expected to be revealed at the upcoming Paris motorshow but you won't have to wait that long because images of the new model have surfaced onto the net.

Spied undisguised in both 3dr and 5dr form, the new Megane's head turning style is influenced by the latest Laguna. Detailing from the Mégane Coupé concept displayed at the Geneva motorshow in March is clearly seen on the hatchbacks. The five-door has a more conventional front, plus a larger glass area and bigger tailgate to improve practicality. The tail-lights are different as is the rear bumper. The addition of a pair of back doors has altered the roofline to provide greater headroom for rear seat passengers. 5dr variants will have a distinctive panoramic glass roof. Inside, flagship versions of both models get an upmarket interior which includes silver trimmed instruments, keyless go and satellite navigation. The three-door will have an even sportier appearance, with a sharply rising window line and a sloping roofline. Renault promises class-leading levels of equipment and refinement too.

An advanced airbag system is expected to complement a range of safety features that includes traction and stability control. The engine line-up will be slightly tweaked compared to the current model with all the diesel engines emitting less than 120g/km. A 230bhp turbocharged Renaultsport version is on thw way, which is designed to replace the performance oriented R26.

Prices for the newcomer are yet to be announced by the company. However, as both models will mark a major step forward in both design and engineering, a small increase is likely. Entry level models should start from around £13,000.

The launch of the Mégane will not affect the recently revised Scenic and Grand Scenic compact MPVs, both of which will continue until at least 2010.

The new Mégane will debut at the Paris Motor Show in October with UK sales starting in 2009, however, Renault has hinted that a convertible Mégane could be on the cards to replace the current metal roofed CC. An estate, saloon and possible SUV variants are also due to join the line-up at a later date.

Related link:

2010 Renault SportMegane?

Via: Autoexpress > Renault Megane scooped

Vauxhall/Opel Corsa heads for the hills

In the latest craze to produce low-emitting SUV's, Vauxhall/Opel doesn't want to be left out. Rivalling the likes of the upcoming Toyota Urban Crusier, Dacia Sandero SUV, Mazda2 SUV/Ford Fiesta SUV, Honda Jazz SUV, Peugeot 207 SUV and wannabe mini-SUV's; Volkswagen Polo Dune and Ford Fusion Pursuit, the new model will follow in the footsteps of the Antara and will go on sale by 2010.

More expensive grades will be using part-time 4WD while cheaper variants will be given 2WD. The newcomer is expect to use rugged bumpers, body armour, under-body protection along with a unique alloy wheel design. Vauxhall/Opels insiders have revealed that engineers and designers want the car to deliver genuine off-road ability with a proper 4x4 gearbox.

First prototypes have been spied in Spain on a transporter in prepearation of hot-weather testing in coming months. The mules have higher ride height, visable testing equipment and are slight wider than the normal Corsa's to ensure greater off-road ability without ruining the standard car’s nimble, secure road manners.

Don't expect it to be cheap, the new vehicle will sit alongside the current flagship trim levels. Like Toyota, bosses are willingly to point out that this is a low-emitting and fragul SUV. Powering this will be the 1.3 and 1.7 CDTi diesels which will be tuned for low-down torque and refinement. If you're a fan of petrol, a range of low-capacity, high-economy turbo engines will be available. Whats more, a potential hybrid could be in the works using stop-start facility with regenerative braking and a small electric engine but a spokesperson hinted that sister brand, Chevrolet will also use the set-up, in a 4x4 model based on the T2X concept.

Meanwhile, GM bosses have revealed that both the Corsa and Chevrolet could be built in the manufacturer’s state-of-the-art factory in Antwerp, Belgium. They have also said that buyers should expect a glimpse of the Vauxhall model at a major motor show in 2009, before sales start 12 months later. The vehicle should soon become a familiar sight on UK roads, as it is thought GM would like to sell 120,000 units annually.

Via: Autoexpress > Vauxhall Corsa 4x4 shapes up

Nissan GT-R orders reach more than 1,500 units

Talk about being popular, although its not surprising that the GT-R orders have now reached 1,500 units in Europe. It follows in the footsteps of the Japanese market where 2,200 GT-R's were ordered and the U.S market selling out until mid 2009. Leading the way is the UK market with 970 orders taken.

56 Nissan High Performance Centres across Europe will be supplying the necessary specialist attention to the GT-R but before the 1,500 future GT-R owner receive their keys, they will be invited to a series of events where they get to see the car up-close and personal and have the chance to experience their new car's performance.

Nissan's Chief vehicle engineer Kazutoshi Mizuno said that the Euro-spec GT-R will receive a few tweaks that further improve the already impressive performance figures. The global GT-R has already undergone some minor tweaks like slightly stiffer springs and harder engine mounts, while the Euro GT-R will most likely be featured with new rubber bushes in the steering system and possibly a recalibrated rear differential.

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New Car: 2009 Nissan GT-R

Mercedes SLK reaches 500,000 milestone

Mercedes' most popular premium roadster has reached a 500,000 milestone after 12 years. With the creation of the SLK, Mercedes-Benz carved out a new niche in the market for the premium compact roadsters segment with innovative features such as the vario-roof and the neck-level heating system AIRSCARF. This first generation went on to sell 310,00 units until it was replaced by an all new model in 2004.

The second generation (2004 +) so far was just treated to a mid-life facelift featuring a re-designed front and rear with some slight interior modifications resulting in a much sportier appearance. This model sold in excess of 190,000 units with the UK market taking 40,000 SLK's. The engine range for the SLK also received some mid-life tuning from the Mercedes engineers, the manual transmission SLK now consumes 1.1 litres/100km less than its predecessor whilst power has gained 33 hp bringing the grand total up to 305hp.

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New Car: 2008 Mercedes SLK facelift

Volkswagen Passat CC pricing announced (UK)

The entry level 1.8-litre TSI 160bhp Passat CC will start from £21,040 rising to £31,120 for the flagship 3.6-litre V6 300bhp.

Only 2 grades will be available; CC and GT. The CC will come with 17” ‘Phoenix’ alloy wheels, 2Zone Climatronic air conditioning, touchscreen CD stereo system with six-disc autochanger, six-way electrically adjustable sports seats, a multifunction leather steering wheel, six airbags and ESP. The additional extras on the GT model include the CC specification plus 18” ‘Interlagos’ alloy wheels, ‘silversprint’ upholstery, tinted windows, front foglights and Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC).

Volkswagen UK hopes to sell 6000 units annually with the diesel engine likely to be the most popular.

With the Passat CC, VW is entering into a new market which was previously monopolised by the Mercedes CLS and will give consumers a non premium option in the 4-door coupe segment.

Hyundai i800 pricing announced (UK)

Hyundai's largest MPV has been given a price tag of £19,495. Tony Whitehorn, managing director of Hyundai UK said: “Anyone wanting to carry eight people in car-like comfort currently has to take two cars – or spend a lot more than £20,000. We think the i800 will prove massively popular with families and businesses who need to move people in style.”

Even with eight people seated in the vehicle, the i800 still has 851 litres of space in the boot – twice as much as an average estate. Special thanks must go to the vehicles exterior dimensions, length stands at 5.125 metres and the width measures at 1.920 metres which is roughly the same size as the KIA Sedona L/Grand Carnival. Power comes courtesy of the new 2.5-litre four-cylinder CRDi diesel engine, which is intercooled and features a variable-geometry turbo power peaks at 170hp.

The i800 will go on sale in the UK on 20th June with a price of £19,495 while cheaper variants may arrived before 2009.

Related link:

Hyundai i800 on sale in June

Dacia Sandero launched in France (FR)

Launched last year in Brazil, the Sandero has proved popular. Now it makes its way through Europe with France being the first country to receive it. Order books open on Thursday 22nd May and the first Sandero's are scheduled to reach dealerships on 27th June, right on schedule according to last years planning. The Maghreb (NW Africa) will also see the Sandero while South Africa alongside the United Kingdom will have to wait untill 2009.

The Dacia Sandero will be available in 4 trim levels and an option of 2 petrol engines; a 1.4 MPI 75bhp and a 1.6 MPI 90bhp. No diesels have been officially confirmed. Prices start from €7,800 for the entry level model going upto €10,900 for the flagship model.

1.4 MPI 75hp 1.6 MPI 90hp
Sandero: €7,800
Ambiance: €8,500
Lauréate: €9,300 €9,800
Prestige: €10,900

The options are fairly basic for the entry level models, but classier options are available like 15 inch alloy wheels, climate control, front head/thorax lateral airbags (includes height-adjustable front seat belts with pyrotechnical pre-tensioners and new generation fixed front headrests) and metallic paint.

The Sandero has been marketed as a b-segment car rivalling the likes of the Vauxhall/Opel Corsa, Proton Savvy, FIAT Grande Punto, Ford Fiesta, Mazda2, Chevrolet Aveo, KIA Rio, Hyundai Getz, Nissan Micra, SEAT Ibiza, Volkswagen Polo, Skoda Fabia and the Citroen C3/Peugeot 207. Lets just hope for Dacia's/Renault's sake there will be a diesel option....

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New Car: 2008 Renault Sandero