New Clio RS 200 EDC

Only yesterday, we brought you pictures of the new Clio RenaultSport (RS) Mk4 without a single trace of camouflage, but our scoop photographers were fortunate enough to spot a second undisguised prototype, this one finished in a more revealing white instead of black exterior shade.

But that's not the only reason we're writing this post as fresh information landed into our hands earlier today.

What we learned is that the "New Clio RS 200 EDC" will definitely make its first public appearance at this month's Paris Motor Show. If you noticed, we mentioned the name of the car in quotes. This is because that's how the performance version of the new Clio was described to CarScoop.

What this name means is that the hot hatch will have "200PS" or 197hp and that the it will be offered (either standard or optional, we don't know yet) with Renault's EDC or Efficient Dual Clutch transmission.

The EDC works much in the same way as the Volkswagen Group's DSG gearboxes, with one clutch for odd-numbered ratios and one for evens (see video below).

While this was not confirmed to us, the new Clio RS is believed to be equipped with a new 1.6-liter turbocharged four-pot instead of the older model's high-revving, 197hp (200PS) 2.0-liter natural aspirated petrol engine, driving the front wheels.

The new Clip RS 200 will go on sale in Europe early next year.

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Honda Unveils European Market 2013 CR-V

This is the production version of the European market Honda CR-V that was previewed through a thinly disguised prototype at this year's Geneva Motor Show in March.

Compared to the North American model that went on sale last December, the European CR-V sports some subtle design changes and a wider engine lineup that includes a pair of thrifty diesel units.

On the outside, the European model features a number of refinements including a revised front bumper, front LED daytime running lights and rear LED lights, reshaped mirrors that incorporate turning signals and a fin-style antenna. There are no notable changes to the interior.

Honda says the length (4,570mm) and height (1,650mm) of the car have been reduced by 5mm and 30mm respectively compared with the current model, without reducing the interior space. The vehicle's width remains the same.

The CR-V has a boot capacity of 589 liters or 1,648 liters with the rear seats folded down, an increase of 148 liters over the previous model. The boot's load length has been increased by 140mm to 1,570mm, while the height of the load lip has been reduced by 25mm. In addition, there's a power tailgate, which Honda says is unique to the European market model.

The fourth generation of Honda's compact crossover will be offered with three powerplants, including a 2.0-liter i-VTEC petrol and a 2.2-liter i-DTEC diesel that are carried over from the previous model, plus a brand-new 1.6-liter turbo diesel.

For the first time in Europe, the CR-V will be available with front-wheel drive only versions in conjunction with the 2.0-liter petrol and 1.6-liter turbo diesel engines.

The power output of the updated 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit has grown from 148hp (150PS) to 153hp (155PS) while peak torque is up by 2Nm to 192Nm (142 lb-ft).

Honda says that despite the increased performance, CO2 emissions have fallen from 192g/km to 174g/km for the 4x4 manual version, and from 195g/km to 176g/km for the 4x4 automatic, while the new two-wheel drive model drops to 170g/km.

The 2.2-liter i-DTEC diesel engine continues to produce 148hp (150PS) and 350Nm (258 lb-ft), but the CO2 emissions fall from 171g/km to 153g/km (10%) for the manual gearbox model, and from 195g/km to 175g/km for models fitted with the five-speed automatic transmission.

Honda's new 1.6-liter turbo diesel that is rated at 118HP (120PS) at 4,000 rpm and 300Nm (221.3 lb-ft) at 2,000 rpm, will become available next year.

The new CR-V features a revised version of Honda’s Real Times AWD system in which the hydraulically activated “dual-pump” system of the third generation model has been replaced by an electronically activated system that is said to provide a faster response when a loss of traction is detected.

The crossover model will be available with a raft of electronic systems such as Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC).

All European market CR-Vs are produced at Honda’s production facility in Swindon, UK. Following its debut at the Paris Motor Show in September, the CR-V will go on sale across Europe in October.

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Hire of Japanese Cars

Hire of Japanese Cars In the USA

To hire the car in the USA, it's necessary to have at itself the international driving license or the drivers license of the USA and to possess a credit card (some agencies ask only the cash). The personal life insurance is obligatory. All insurance operates only in territory of the USA and Canada.

The insurance will be action in several cases: if the driver was sober if the driver did not make a criminal offense at the moment of a road incident, in case of physical injuries, traumas etc. At observance specified above insurance conditions come into force without dependence from the one who was guilty in incident.

The Driver Knowledge is the Life of a Driver!

To get the drivers license in the United States, it's necessary to carry out the driving test. The examination is divided into two stages: the sad theory and the crazy practice. For a training I recommend to practise a free DMV practice test.

The theoretical part of the driving test represents the written test for knowledge of the State traffic regulations, whose driver's licences you receive. This test is not difficult, because the traffic regulations in the USA are made so that as much as possible to simplify the driver's life (and to the pedestrian, of course). The driver's manual can be received free of charge directly at the local DMV office (for example, my DMV office is the DMV of North Carolina).

After the successful theory the candidate receives the Learner's permit which grant the right to limited driving (two-three, sometimes 6 months). Such drivers licence in the USA have a number of restrictions. For example, a public conveyance can be forbidden, usual driving without a supervision of the person having the high-grade driver's license also can be forbidden etc.

When you will be ready to the test driving (in some States not earlier than in three months) you can register in the DMV for any convenient time. The road test is simple who has the true driving experience (video games is it jokes).

Special attention for Americans — the traffic safety. Don't forget to supervise «blind zones» at maneuvering and to look back when you hand over back. All these features of traffic are carefully deciphered in the DMV Test Virginia.

You are to be constantly attentive!

The US Traffic Police: Law & Rule

Don't argue with the policeman if you broke the rules, to be better the frankly confess. For frivolous infringements the police most likely doesn't make a foul card, and will be limited to short lecture on a theme: «Why small trolls break the true rules?», but if you have a true infringement of traffic regulations — the penalty will need to paying into a 15 days period, or welcome to the court.

If the police car or the motorcycle with "flashers" follow to your car — slowly use a turning movement and smoothly stop on a road shoulder (don't disturb the road rules especially in this moment). Further, put down the hands on a car wheel and wait, wait, wait...

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2012 Lexus LS

The Lexus officially introduced the business sedan — Lexus LS of the new generation. The next generation of Lexus LS based on a modernized platform of its predecessor with modified motors.
As before, Lexus LS will be available in three basic versions — rear wheel drive, four-wheel drive and hybrid engine. The first two versions are equipped with a petrol engine V8 of 4.6-l capacity and 386 and 360HP respectively, and the eight-step "automatic". All-wheel drive version uses the Thorsen (center differential).

Sedan Lexus LS

An advanced version of Lexus F Sport completed with 19-inch wheels, ABS brakes, Brembo, limited-slip differential on the rear axle and a sports seats.
After the update at Lexus LS will have the LED headlamps, though only as an option. Another innovation in the list of options and standard equipment — a tracking system for marking and blind zones, adaptive cruise control system and minimize the consequences of the accident, four-zone climate control, and the Mark Levinson Audio System (19 speakers).
The hybrid version of Lexus LS will continue to be equipped with a petrol engine V8 plus a pair of electric motors. The total capacity of LS 600h power plant makes 438 horsepower and from 0 to 100 km/h the sedan can accelerate in 5.5 sec. Claimed fuel consumption in combined cycle — a little less than 12 l/100 km.

The Interior of the Lexus LS

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Modified Naza Ria

Finally got the hydraulics installed on the modified Naza Ria.

MODEL: NAZA RIA 2.5cc V6
YEAR: 2006
NO OF OWNER: ONE
SETTLEMENT AT BANK: RM 41,765
YEAR OF LOAN: 3 YEARS 3 MTHS
lOCATION: IPOH
CONDITION: TIP-TOP CONDITION
ACCOREIOS:DVD-PLAYER,10" LCD SCREEN,LEATHER SEAT,16" SPORT RIM,FULLY TINT WITH V-COOL,3M CARPET AND AIR BAG.
PUSPACOM: LULUS
DOCUMENT: ORIGINAL GERAN,AGREEMENT BETWEEN BUYER AND OWNER,JPJK3 AND INSURANS COVER NOTE.

DOWNPAYMENT:RM 7000.00
MONTHLY : RM 1100.00 x 39 = RM 42900

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Volvo concept - The Tiandi

Volvo recently unveiled their global concept car called the Tiandi or Universe at the Shanghai motor show. The curvy and more flashy look indicate the direction the Volvo is going to take under Geely, Volvo's new Chinese owners.

Even though the Volvo Cars chief Stefan Jacoby says that the Geely was not involved or influenced the car's design or development, they are clearly targeting the Chinese with this new concept.

The car features a unique grille shape and low-set headlights. Will post more details and pics as I get them.

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Malaysia's First Sports Car

The Star carried an interesting news today. It reported that Malaysia's First sports car called the Esna Venera is expected to roll out in 2006 and that the company Esnasports Sdn Bhd had already received 20 orders. The car will cost between MYR500,000 ($131,579) and MYR800,000.

The company will produce only 150 units of the car after which they will start on the next model. Keeping the car exclusive seems to be their strategy. You can read the news in the Star here and also in the NST.

However, I was wondering how this can be Malaysia's first sports car when Proton already has announced that they would launch their own sports car later this year. They also have the various Lotus models.

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Nissan conversion

Roshaizul who blogs at autolure recently sent me some pics of a Nissan Cefiro converted to the Skyline R34 by a young Malaysian car Modifier.

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The new MINI Paceman

This coupé version of the Countryman goes from a 0-62mph of just 7.5 seconds. The unique design features include upright front grille, with hexagonal radiator grille and broad chrome surround along with the blacked-out pillars creating a ‘floating’ roof. However, the most distinguishing feature is it's roof which gently slopes towards the rear of the car, ending at the integrated spoiler.

The four versions of the car includes two petrol and two diesel. All have powerful four-cylinder engines with a six-speed manual gearbox, or the optional six-speed automatic with Steptronic function for manual control.

For those who want4 wheel drive, MINI’s ALL4 system is available on the Cooper D, SD and Cooper S Paceman models.

MINI Cooper Paceman:

1.6-litre Petrol engine 122bhp

0-62mph in 10.4 seconds,

fuel economy of 47.1mpg

CO2 emissions of 140 g/km.

MINI Cooper S Paceman

1.6-litre Petrol engine tuned to deliver 184bhp.

0-62mph in 7.5 seconds.

Fuel economy is 46.3mpg

CO2 emissions are 143g/km.

MINI Cooper D Paceman

1.6-litre 112bhp turbocharged Diesel engine

0-62mph time of 10.8 seconds.

Fuel economy 64.2mpg

CO2 emissions 115g/km.

MINI Cooper SD Paceman

2.0-litre 143bhp Diesel engine.

0-62mph time is 9.2 seconds.

Fuel economy is 61.4mpg

CO2 emissions 122g/km.

A John Cooper Works Paceman version will also be coming soon.

Prices will start at £18,970 on the road.

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Nokia Drive app review

Sat Navs have got to be among the most useful innovations of the modern age. It has completely changed the way we travel. We hardly think about it now but I remember that it was less than 6 years ago, we were looking at road maps, planning our journeys and getting lost countless times. One time we were driving to a friend's house in Warwick about half an hour's away from our house, took a wrong turn and ended up on the motorway and finally in Birmingham. In the end we ended up taking around 2 hours before we finally found our friend's house. All of that became a thing of the past when I bought a used Tomtom One on eBay.

Five years on, I am still using the old TomTom sat nav and regularly bought an updated version of the UK-Ireland map. However, I would end up regretting it every time because somehow several postcodes would inadvertently be missing and the TomTom would try to lead me up one-way streets, especially in London. In the end, I just gave up and  have not updated my maps for a while.

The Navigation app on my android phone has come to my rescue a couple of times when I did not have the Tomtom with me or when the address was missing from it. However, the major problem was that the app would drain away the phone battery and I would have to drive real slow especially on junctions as there would always be a lag. The worst was when you lost the GPS signal and were left wondering where to go next.

Anyway, I was really excited when I got my new Nokia Lumia 900 as I had heard some great things about the Nokia Drive sat nav app from some of my friends who have the Nokia Lumia 800.

Free Maps
Before I could use it, I had to download the map and it took around 5 minutes to download the entire map of UK and Ireland over our wifi connection at home and best of all, unlike TomTom maps, it is completely FREE of charge. The navigation voice is available in several languages including Galician, Malay and Tamil. I was curious when I saw there was one called Surfer Dude (English). The kids really like it and I have stuck with it as it always cheers me up. 

The 4.3" screen of the Nokia Lunia 900 is just perfect. I initially tried the app out by using it to drive to Coventry city centre from my house (a distance of about 2.4 miles). I used my old Dash Genie phone holder to fix it on my car dashboard. I then selected the 3D map option. 

I set my destination (Priory Street), hit the "Drive to" button and then clicked "Start" and I was ready to go.

It automatically alerted me to the speed limits on the route and unlike my TomTom, got it right. I also tried changing the routes a couple of time just to see how fast it would recalculate the new route and I was pleasantly surprised - it was really fast and later found out that it's even faster than the Tomtom in calculating new routes. The Nokia Drive app also allows you to see famous landmarks on the route by turning on the Landmarks function.

Coventry cathedral and other landmarks near the destination.

Since then, I have used the Nokia Drive app a number of times in the following weeks after the initial test. I now maked most of my favourite locations in the city using the 'Pin' function. One of the biggest advantage it has over the Tomtom is the fact that I do not have to carry around a separate bulky Sat-nav around. 

The farthest I have gone using it is to Orpington near London from Coventry, a distance of around 130 miles. We had absolutely no problems apart from the time when I lost the GPS signal for a few minutes on the M25. In case you are wondering about the battery, the phone still had about 37% juice left when I finally reached Orpington.

Nokia Drive to the rescue

We were at a conference in Brunel University in Uxbridge recently and was giving our friend a lift to the Uxbridge tube station. I am not familiar with the area and we could not find the location of the station on our Tomtom when my wife suddenly reminded me that I had the Nokia Lumia with me. Fired up the Nokia Drive app and we were there in a couple of minutes. Our friend was really impressed and I think we may have helped Nokia gain a new customer.  

What I would like to see in future updates of the app?

I don't think the Nokia will completely replace our Tomtom as yet after all, it is a mobile phone with some great features but still a mobile phone. I really missed the ability to choose alternative routes. For example, for going to London I prefer to use the M40 rather than M1 (which is supposedly the fastest and the only option on Nokia Drive) and I hope future updates to this app will have the option to choose and calculate alternative routes.

One feature on Nokia Drive which I really wanted to try out was the 'My Commute' funtion, which records our driving preferences and is supposed to give us the latest traffic information, allowing us to avoid jams. Unfortunately this feature is not available in the UK yet and I am eagerly waiting for the day Nokia launches it here.

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Jaguar unveils all wheel drive XJ in New York

Last month, Jaguar launched it's new 2013 model year XJ and XF luxury sedans with the All Wheel Drive™ and fuel efficient V6 engines at New York City’s Highline Park.

The Jaguar AWD is an active torque-management system which uses a performance-oriented rear-drive bias which can shift power to the front wheels to either pre-empt or counter wheel slip. This allows enhancing traction while retaining the sporty agility and steering feel of the rear-wheel drive versions.

The AWD system is paired with a new supercharged 340 horsepower 3-liter V6 engine, with eight-speed automatic transmission and featuring Stop/Start technology.

Jaguar Land Rover engineers spent 18 months testing the new all-wheel drive system in a variety of conditions, including the frozen lakes at their development facility in northern Sweden.

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Volvo V40 and 5 other car safety test results

Euro NCAP has just released the test results of six new models, namely, the Audi A3, Ford B-MAX, Isuzu D-Max, Kia Cee’d, Renault Clio and Volvo V40. Here are the results in brief:

Audi A3 1.4 'Attraction', LHD:
The new Audi receives five stars. Although the passenger airbag can be disabled with an optionally fitted switch to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in that seating position, there was no clear warning provided unlike in the other cars.

Ford B-MAX 1.5 diesel 'Trend', LHD: The mini MPV has received a commendable five stars. Instead of B-pillars, the car incorporates a structure into the doors to form a central post when the doors are shut. It also comes with the Active City Stop, an AEB system previously rewarded under Euro NCAP Advanced, which helps the driver achieve maximum braking effectiveness in an emergency situation.

Isuzu D-Max Crew Cab, 2.5 diesel, RHD: Received four star rating. This is an improvement on the previous model tested in 2008. The Isuzu received a score of 83% for adult occupant protection and improved protection for child occupants against a tougher 2012 regime. Though pedestrian safety has improved (51%) it still did not yet reach the 60% threshold required for five stars.

Kia Cee’d 1.4MPI LX, LHD:Receives 5 stars.

Renault Clio 1.0 base grade, LHD: Receives five stars.

Volvo V40: With five stars Volvo's new car is Euro NCAP’s all time top scorer in its segment.

It incorporates the World-first Pedestrian Airbag technology, fitted as standard on the entire V40 range. In case of a crash with a pedestrian, sensors detect the impact, release the bonnet and deploy the airbag in a split second.

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BMW Zagato Roadster concept

The BMW Zagato Roadster, made it's official debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance yesterday. This collaboration between BMW and Zagato is based on the BMW Z4 35iS.

Enjoy the pics. What do you think?

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Bad news for BMW

As the Official Automotive Partner for the London 2012 Olympic, BMW has been taking full advantage of the association. However, a new report from Which? the UK consumer group, has some damning findings.

The BMW 3 Series Convertible and the BMW 5 Series Touring were listed among the top 5 cars likely to be off the road due to faults. The soft top convertible was listed as the worst spending nearly 3.5 days in the repair garage and it was also among the highest in terms of annual repair costs.

The best cars - i.e, cars with the least breakdowns are

1. Honda Jazz
2. Toyota Avensis
3. Suzuki Swift
4. Kia Picanto and the
5. Peugeot 107.

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