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Renault Announces 2007 Megane E85 Launch

Renault UK will launch its first bioethanol car into the UK market when the Mégane Hatch E85 goes on sale at the end of 2007. This will be Renault’s first bioethanol vehicle to be sold in the UK and is in line with eCO2, the company’s commitment to producing environmentally-friendly vehicles for the whole life cycle of the vehicle, from design to their eventual recycling.

With eCO2, Renault provides customers with a choice of vehicles across its range, both kind to the environment and motorists’ pockets, including the new Mégane E85.

The new Mégane E85 uses the 1.6 16V 105 engine. The existing 1.6 16V petrol engine has undergone a number of modifications so that it adapts automatically to bioethanol fuel. The main upgrades have been made to the fuel tank, injection system and combustion chambers.

The new vehicles were developed with input from expertise developed in Brazil, where Renault has been selling FlexFuel versions of Clio and Mégane running on bioethanol E100 since 2004.

The benefits of E85 fuel are widespread and are particularly relevant for the Fleet market. A new tax incentive sees a 2% discount on employees’ taxable car benefits where the car is capable of running on E85 fuel, an ethanol fuel based on a mix of at least 85% ethanol with conventional petrol.

The introduction of the Mégane E85 will offer fleets an innovative, modern, comfortable, spacious and Euro NCAP five-star safety-rated car perfect for user-choosers and larger fleets.

Renault considers biofuels to be one of the most effective solutions in the long-term quest for control over CO2 emissions. Biofuels are ecologically effective, as a diversified, renewable, plant-based energy source.

And they are economically effective because the cost of developing compatible engines is reasonable, and the cars are therefore affordable. Biofuels will also be helping to cut down energy dependency on fossil fuels.

The crops used to produce biofuels absorb CO2 from the atmosphere as they grow (part of the process of photosynthesis). E85 bioethanol can achieve CO2 gains of up to 70% over the so-called well-to-wheel cycle compared to the same model powered by a conventional petrol engine. The figure is about 20% for B30 biodiesel.

Biofuel-compatibility is one of the criteria behind the Renault eCO2 signature. With a Mégane running on bioethanol (E85) alongside other vehicles running on biodiesel, such as B30 powered Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) which are currently being evaluated for the British market and will be tested with some fleet operators, Renault confirms its commitment to this technology, as one of the few carmakers to offer its European customers cars running on both types of biofuel.

Bioethanol is made by distilling fermented vegetable matter, typically in the form of wheat or beet in Europe, sugarcane in Brazil, or maize in the USA. The resulting fuel is then mixed with petrol in varying proportions: 5% for E5, 10% for E10, 85% for E85 and up to 100% for E100.

Prices and full information will be announced when Mégane E85 goes on sale at the end of 2007.

All-new Mazda2 Boasts Exceptional Standard Equipment

When it goes on sale in the UK from 8 September, the all-new Mazda2 range of five‑door hatchbacks will offer customers a three-strong model line-up with a choice of three powertrains and three equipment levels (TS, TS2 and Sport). Prices will start from a highly-competitive £8,499 (on-the-road) for the new Mazda2 TS model undercutting rival vehicles, while boasting excellent standard equipment that is either optional or not available on those competitor cars.

Standard equipment on the 1.3-litre, 75ps Mazda2 TS will include: 15-inch steel wheels, ABS with Brake Assist and EBD, driver and front passenger airbags, remote central locking with deadlocks, electric front windows, driver seat height adjust, CD radio with AUX jack and two speakers, multi-function glovebox with magazine rack, Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser and electric door mirrors.

The new Mazda2 TS2 with 1.3-litre, 86ps petrol engine will be priced from £9,999 (OTR) and will have 12 additional equipment items including: 15-inch alloy wheels, side and curtain airbags, electric folding door mirrors, four audio speakers, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, leather steering wheel and gear knob and air‑conditioning.

Topping the petrol launch range will be the new Mazda2 Sport, with a 1.5-litre 103ps engine and a full sports styling kit, priced from £11,799 (OTR). This model will also gain 12 extra items of equipment, including: 16-inch alloy wheels, dynamic stability control, traction control, cruise control, fog lights, rain sensing wipers and auto lights, electric rear windows, trip computer, speed alarm, six audio speakers and climate control air-conditioning.

The all-new Mazda2 petrol range will be joined by a 1.4-litre 68ps diesel engine a few months after the September petrol launch. The 1.4-litre 68ps diesel will be available with a choice of two equipment levels TS and TS2 and will include the same specification as the petrol models.

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Lexus Announces Prices For New LS 600h

The LS 600h, the new hybrid power flagship of the Lexus brand, will cost from £81,400 when the model goes on sale in the UK on 1 October. Equipped with a more advanced powertrain and more sophisticated array of preventive, active and passive features than any car in its class, the LS 600h will set new standards in luxury motoring. A superb specification will ensure owners enjoy supreme comfort, convenience and on-board entertainment.

The LS 600h features the world’s first full-time, all-wheel drive full hybrid V8 powertrain, combining a technically peerless 5.0-litre engine with a powerful, high-output motor. The result is performance that rivals a standard V12 petrol engine (nought to 62mph in 6.3 seconds) with fuel consumption and emissions that are on a par with the segment’s best performing – and substantially lower powered – diesels (30.4mpg and 219g/km in combined cycle driving). Thanks to the Lexus Hybrid Drive system’s compact but powerful electric motor, maximum torque is delivered from zero rpm, giving the car exceptional performance off the line.

Two versions will be available in the UK: the LS 600h and LS 600h L long wheelbase model. Both benefit from an exceptional specification that includes pre-crash safety systems that can detect collision hazards both on the road ahead and from the rear, permanent four-wheel drive, Adaptive Variable Suspension and the world’s first application of LED technology for low beam headlight illumination. Advanced technologies are dovetailed with the skills of master craftsmen to achieve a high luxury finish in the paintwork, fine leather upholstery, hand-trimmed dashboard and real wood cabin trim features.

The in-car entertainment package includes a 19-speaker Mark Levinson premium hi-fi with six-disc DVD autochanger and a nine-inch ceiling-mounted screen for rear seat passengers.

The LS 600h L can be additionally specified with a Rear Seat Relaxation Pack that provides even higher levels of comfort. The left hand rear seat gains an extending ottoman leg and thigh rest, seat cushion airbag and variable massage function. An independent DVD system, centre console with extending wood-inlaid tray are also part of the pack, together with a more advanced climate control system that uses body temperature sensors to determine optimum performance.

Lexus LS 600h prices

Model OTR Price

LS 600h £81,400

LS 600h L £83,645

LS 600h L with Rear Seat Relaxation Package £88,000

Rolls-Royce Bought At Auction For $1.6 Million

A Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé has been bought at a charity auction for £800,000 ($1.6 million). The successful bid was made at the 9th Annual White Tie and Tiara Ball held to raise money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Overall the event raised in excess of £6 million, with £3.1 million raised at the auction alone.

The Rolls-Royce was bought by a private buyer who will take delivery of his new car later in the summer. The event took place at the private residence of Sir Elton John and David Furnish.

Rolls-Royce unveiled the new Drophead Coupé in January this year. The two-door, four-seat convertible is hand made at the company’s manufacturing plant at Goodwood, and combines the latest aluminium technology and engineering with the very best in hand craftsmanship. The result is a car that many have already hailed as the ultimate in convertible motoring. Rolls-Royce has now begun full production of the new car.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Chairman and CEO, Ian Robertson, said, “We were delighted that the Phantom Drophead Coupe raised such a significant amount on the night and that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars had the opportunity to support The Elton John AIDS Foundation in their continued fight against this global epidemic.”