Download: 21 Jan 2012

Saturday 21 January 2012

Renault Megane 265 Trophy

Whither Renault? That’s a good question to ask of the French manufacturer.

Globally it sold over 2.7 million cars last year, an increase of nearly 95,000 over 2010, yet here in the UK and in its home market sales were down 2 and 1.3%, respectively.

In fact, things are so bad here that the Regie is reducing its portfolio and abandoning under-performing and, it has to be said, underwhelming cars like the Laguna saloon, Wind roadster, the Modus compact minivan and the Espace minivan. The latter is quite a remarkable turnaround in fortunes as Renault practically invented this sector in the UK and Europe; also in the out tray are the passenger versions of the Kangoo and Trafic small commercial vans.

Renault Megane 265 Trophy

And then it goes and produces a car like the Megane 265 Trophy pictured here that I’ve just spent the week driving. Last year it crushed the front-wheel-drive record for lapping the Nürburgring in a scintillating 8 minutes and 8 seconds, lopping nine seconds off the old record held by a pared-down Megane R26R and only four seconds slower than a Porsche Cayman.

Renaultsport engineers reckoned the 250 with Cup suspension was good enough to leave it well alone. Incidentally the front suspension features what Renault calls ‘Perfohub’ – it’s their take on Ford’s ‘Revoknuckle’ which acts like a poor man’s double wishbone setup separating the steering and suspension inputs to eliminate torque steer and loss of traction. Instead they have opted for super grippy Bridgestone Potenza tires, but even they struggled to cope with my local roads that were greasier than a pan of French fries that had been left to go stale overnight.

Renault Megane 265 Trophy

Instead, they’ve upped the engine power with a new air intake and more boost to 36 psi to deliver 261 bhp or, in metric PS 265 hence the car’s moniker. Torque’s improved, too, to 265 lb.-ft.

On paper this translates, says the Regie, into a 158-mph top speed and 6-second dash to 62 mph.

The downsides are that its ride over anything but the smoothest road will have your eyeballs rattling, there’s little rear visibility and the widely-spaced pedals make heel ‘n toeing difficult to perform as the car is equipped with only a 6-speed manual rather than a DSG. Oh yes, and some of the trim is on the cheap side.

Renault Megane 265 Trophy

However, look beyond those shortcomings and you have an absolutely storming hatch that has massive lateral grip under hard cornering and bullet-like acceleration from them, especially in the lower gears. OK, so you need to keep a firm grip on the steering wheel – handily equipped with a yellow band to indicate where straight ahead is – and that’s helped by narrow Recaro seats that allow you to hunch over the steering wheel to exert some real leverage when under pressure.

Only 500 were built of which 50 came here to the UK and I suspect most of their owners will need plastic surgery to get the grin off their face, it’s that much fun.

Source : Google Reader

Mini Baker Street and Bayswater

Mini Baker Street and Bayswater:

Mini Baker Street and Bayswater

London Olympics inspires limited-edition Mini Coopers.

A city map might be cheaper, though it’s probably not as much fun through a slalom. This year’s upcoming London Olympics has inspired two new limited editions of the Mini Cooper coupe. The Mini Baker Street is painted grey metallic and comes with black hood stripes, black roof, and black 16-inch alloy wheels. Pepper White and Midnight Black paint schemes are also available – though the Baker Street’s only engine choice is the base 121-bhp 4-cylinder.

Mini Baker Street and Bayswater

The Mini Bayswater can be had in either base Cooper, or zingier Cooper S format. Color choices include Kite Blue, Midnight Black and Eclipse Grey. All come with contrasting hood stripes and roof, and larger 17-inch alloy wheels are fitted. The cabins of either model are loaded with leather with contrasting stitching, stainless steel pedals and chrome trim.

Mini Baker Street and Bayswater

While these two Mini Coopers are cute and undoubtedly fun-to-drive, an Olympic-themed vehicle poses an interesting quandary. Wouldn’t walking or jogging to your destination prove the most athletic alternative?

Photos: Mini Baker Street >>

Photos: Mini Bayswater >>

Mini Baker Street and Bayswater

Source : Google Reader

Evoque Tuned by A. Kahn Design

Evoque Tuned by A. Kahn Design:

If you love the Range Rover Evoque and also enjoy the color red, British tuner Afzal Kahn has come up with a tasteful take on the stylish British crossover. Kahn’s Evoque is fitted with a lowered suspension, yellow brake calipers, tined windows, aluminum pedals and a set of the tuner’s RS600 alloy wheels, ranging in size from 20 to 22 inches in diameter. And of course, this custom Evoque happens to be painted a bright shade of arrest-me-red.

A previous Kahn-tuned Evoque sported a stealthier matte pearl grey finish, though the company will customize the exterior and cabin to suit any customer’s whim. According to the press release, Kahn could design a vehicle to match the color of your favorite jeans with an interior the same shade as a grey tee shirt. Though you’re on your own when it comes to matching a belt and wristwatch to the alloy wheels and brake calipers.

Source : Google Reader

Saturday 21 January 2012

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Renault Megane 265 Trophy

Mini Baker Street and Bayswater

Evoque Tuned by A. Kahn Design