Filed under: Euro, Hatchbacks, Renault

 

 

 

It seems Renault never tires of making sporty versions of their hatchbacks, and it seems we never tire of reporting on them. Mégane buyers looking for something a little spicy, but not quite as scorching as the Renaultsport versions, now have another choice: the Mégane GT.

Whereas the latest Renaultsport Mégane packs 230 chevaux, the GT offers either the turbo 2-liter with 165 hp or Renault-Nissan's latest 2-liter dCi diesel with 150. Compared with its more plebian stablemates, the GT version gets a sporty body kit including revised front end, side skirts, more pronounced wheels arches and rear lip spoiler. Also part of the package are twin chrome-tipped exhausts exiting close to the center with a chrome plate, lowered ride height, chrome around the front grille, honeycomb filling the front airdam and 17" rims.

The model applies the same sort of treatment from the Laguna GT to the sportier hatchback, available in three-door or five and priced to sell. The gas-powered version will hit sixty in 8.3 on the way to a top speed of 137 and returning 36.7 mpg, while the diesel takes 8.7 seconds, tops out at 130 and gives you an impressive 51.4 mpg.

All around the Mégane GT seems to present a well-rounded package with quirky French styling that almost makes us want to move across the pond. Almost, but not quite.

Press release plus another shot after the jump.

[Source: Renault]

 

 

 

 

Press Release

New Renault Megane GT Range

 

Having firmly established its Renaultsport models as some of the finest hot hatches around, Renault has now applied some of their unique performance and styling DNA to its Mégane hatchback models with the launch of a new GT range, to fit between the regular and Renaultsport versions.

Realising that some of its customers may not require the complete performance package of a Mégane Renaultsport yet still hanker after a more dynamic drive and sportier looks, Renault's new three- and five-door GT range offers both without a hefty price tag. The new GT range sits between the Dynamique and Renaultsport models with prices starting at £16,170 for the Sport Hatch GT 2.0 Turbo 165.

The GT range was first introduced by Renault on the Laguna range last year and a similarly thorough make-over as applied then has now been given to Mégane. Befitting a model with the GT badge, this new sporty Mégane range has a distinctly sporting air, with full sport bodykit with front, side and rear spoilers, plus twin chrome sports exhaust and 10mm lower and stiffened suspension. Giving the car an even more menacing look, particularly at the front, as well as ensuring that the new range is easily distinguishable from other Méganes, the GT features a chrome effect front grille and prominent honeycomb-style air dam. At the rear, a GT badge appears on the chrome effect plate between the twin exhaust pipes, both of which confirm the car's sporting credentials.

 

The sporting theme continues on the inside with front sport seats, leather sport steering wheel and silver/grey seat belts. The Mégane GT features an extensive equipment list including 17" 'Jarsalle' alloys, automatic headlamps and windscreen wipers, electric heated door mirrors, electric front and rear windows, ESP with ASR traction and CSV understeer control.

Power for the new GT range comes via either the proven 2.0 Turbo 165 engine or the latest Renault-Nissan Alliance developed diesel engine - the 2.0 dCi 150, both of which are now reserved only for the GT range and the luxurious top-of-the-range Hatch Privilège. The two-litre turbo 165hp petrol dispatches 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds before going onto a top speed of 137mph, with impressive fuel economy of 36.7mpg on a combined cycle. Customers seeking similar power but fewer visits to the pumps can opt for the new flagship 2.0 dCi 150 6-speed which delivers maximum torque of 340Nm@2000rpm, 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds, top speed of 130mph and 51.4mpg.

The new Mégane GT range costs £16,170 and £16,670 for the 2.0 Turbo 165 versions of Sport Hatch and Hatch, or £17,170 and £17,670 for the 2.0 dCi 150 6-speed versions. Insurance groups for the new models are 10 for the 2.0 dCi 150 and 12 for the 2.0T 165, with CO 2 emissions of 146 and 184g/km and benefit-in-kind classifications of 18% for the diesel and 23% for the petrol.

*Nearly £2,000 less than a Golf GT

Compared to two of its key rivals from Peugeot and Volkswagen, the latest addition to Renault's Mégane range fares extremely well in terms of performance per pound. From a petrol perspective, the Volkswagen Golf 1.4 GT TSI 3dr costs £18,095, nearly £2,000 more than the equivalent Mégane Sport Hatch GT 2.0 Turbo 165, yet offers similar performance and economy from its 170hp engine. Similarly, the Golf GT TDI 140 has 10hp less than the Mégane GT dCi 150 yet costs £825 more at £17,995. Fuel consumption is also worse than the Mégane with a combined cycle figure of 49.6mpg.

The case is the same with the Peugeot 307 2.0 HDi 136 GT 3dr. Costing £17,500, the French rival is £330 more than the Mégane Sport Hatch GT dCi 150 6-speed, but has 14hp less, a slower top speed of 125mph, is 1.1 seconds slower from 0-62mph at 9.8 seconds and less than 1mpg better at 52.3.

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Euro, BMW

The BMW M6 is one of the most powerful cars on the road, but for those looking for a bit more pizzazz, Hamann have come out with a full range of mods and accessories.

Exterior enhancements include a new front spoiler, side sills, rear spoiler, roof spoiler, rear apron end panel with integrated diffuser, rear muffler and a suspension lowering kit, plus a choice of 20 or 21-inch rims in two bling-tastic designs, coated with Hankook tires. Under the engine bay, Hamann can massage an extra 60 horsepower on top of the staggering 500 generated by the M's V10. Buyers can also opt for a variety of carbon-kevlar trim pieces in the cabin, plus a custom steering wheel. What's guaranteed to attract the most attention though, are the upward-swinging doors (of questionable taste, but irrefutable drama). The look-at-me orange paintjob is optional.

Hamann also offers custom bits for the entire BMW range as well as for Mini, Porsche, Mercedes, Range Rover, Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini and Ferrari.

More pics and press release after the jump.

[Source: Hamann]

 

 

 

Press Release:

Wider range: The BMW M6 Edition Race by Hamann

* wide body aerodynamics kit "Edition Race"
* Top speed of up to 320 km/h by removing the Vmax limiter
* Approximate power boost of 60bhp/44kW and 54 Nm using the sports kit
* Various alloy-wheel sets in 19, 20 and 21 inch

BMW tuner Hamann of Laupheim took an adventurous look at the modification of the most potent Bavarian luxury coupe and turned the beautiful vehicle into an uncompromising sports car. The crowning for the M6 is the new Hamann wide body-kit „EDITION RACE", which ensures that nobody will cast doubts on the power of this splendorous high-performance automobile.

Hamann offers its clients three different engine tuning options. The high revving 5-litre V10 with 507 bhp and 520 Nm is limited to 250km/h as standard. By removing the engine limiter, the racy Bavarian can reach a top speed of 300km/h, depending on the wheel and tyre combination. The second option is made up of a combination of removing the engine limiter and optimising the engine characteristics by reprogramming the standard engine computer. Hamann manages to tease an additional 30bhp/26kW and 15 Nm out of the V10 engine. The "HM/M +60" sport kit provides even better performance. The kit is made up of high-performance headers, metallic sports catalytic converters, a sports rear silencer, a sports air filter, an engine map optimisation and the removal of engine restrictions. As the name of the sports kit already suggests, the engine then provides around an additional 60bhp/44kW and can provide an extra
54 Nm of torque, meaning that a notably faster top speed of up to 320km/h can be reached.

Wide body kit "EDITION RACE"
Besides the „normal" but nevertheless impressive fibreglass body-kit, which covers all sides including front, back, flanks as well as roof and trunk lid (the spoilers for last two mentioned are also available from carbon kevlar) HAMANN offers something even more spectacular.

Who thinks, a stronger car should leave a stronger mark in the rear mirrors of other road users, can ask Hamann for the wide body-modification „EDITION RACE", which extends the vehicle's body. The kit consists of an EDITION RACE front spoiler (including upper beam headlights), ER side sills as well as ER front fenders and ER fender extensions to be mounted at the rear. Thanks to this body-kit, the M6 comes close to the DTM race car-looks and lets the vehicle appear more muscular. For fans of motorsports the EDITION RACE-kit is definitely the first choice.

Four stainless steel exhausts, each with a diameter of 90mm are part of the HAMANN 4-pipe sports silencer. With a tone that gives you goose bumps, it tells you all about the potency of this coupй. Simply a must have!

A lowering kit with progressive chassis springs takes care of the lowering of the chassis. The Hamann M6 then sits 30mm nearer to the tarmac at the front and 25mm at the back. Of course, you want to be able to brake effectively at 320km/h too. Hamann equips the M6 with racing brakes on the front axle. It is made up of 2 slitted and ventilated brake discs, 380mm in diameter and 34mm thick, 2 Hamann brake piston housings in red - other colours are of course available, special brake pads, Hamann steel flex brake lines and adapter, in other words the complete braking hardware set. The race track calls!

Crowning of the HAMANN wheel range: design "EDITION RACE"

HAMANN offers several metal alloy wheels for the M6. Besides the designs „Anniversary I" (19 and 20"), „PG3" (19 and 20") and „Anniversary II" (20"), HAMANN also offers the wheel „Edition Race" in 20" and 21".
Hamann offers this three-piece, super-light forged wheel with an attractive crossed-spoke design, titanium screw fittings and highly-polished rim flange with a black wheel hub.
Of course Hamann also offers shim sets as well as lockable wheel nuts, thus providing additional security for the wheels.

Various Hamann accessories and fitment details enhance the coupй's interior significantly. There are exclusive Hamann floor mats complete with company logo, a noble aluminium hand brake, sporty aluminium pedals and an eight-piece interior set made of carbon (available in every colour), which serve to underline the sporty appearance. As an alternative to the standard steering wheel, Hamann offers two versions of an anti-slip, three-spoke leather sports steering wheel complete with airbag. The second version has, like the first, a black leather covering, but with additional applications of carbon kevlar. Naturally, Hamann can also modify every M6 according to the individual requirements of the client. This means, for example, that intricate leather fittings are available in different colours. Or perhaps even an extensive multimedia setup with DVD, TV or Playstation.

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

I was wondering if anyone can tell me why the "kit car" category does not seem to include kit cars anymore, only accessories and parts. It seems to be full of Kit Cars to me:

RE:Vision Effects today released RE:Map 1.1, an update to its kit of mapping and distortion tools introduced earlier this year. The latest revision offers floating point image support within Adobe After Effects 7.0, and adds an additional plug-in -- ...

RE:Vision Effects today released RE:Map 1.1, an update to its kit of mapping and distortion tools in...