New Renault Cars

Renault Sport

Renault makes hot hatches. It's also pretty good at making Renault Formula 1 cars if the past two seasons' results are anything to go by. So what happens when these two worlds collide? Some pretty lovely looking Renault special editions, that's what. First was the Megane R26, named after the 2006 Renault Formula 1 car. And while the decals might not be to everyone's taste, it's definitely a car for those who like their motors hard and fast. And now we have the Renault Clio 197 F1 Team R27 - named after this year's blue, white and orange car driven by Messrs Fisichella and Kovalainen. The Renault Clio shares the same dodgy taste in stickers as its bigger brother - which can be removed by the dealer if you don't like the look of them - but unlike the Renault Megane R26, the changes to the Renault Clio F1 aren't exactly groundbreaking.

New Renault Laguna

The new Renault Laguna is the third generation of Renault's large family car and it has at last evolved into a car that can really compete with the best in its class.
Succeeding a car that had its fair share of quality issues, the new Renault Laguna is the product of a company that has been revitalised by its alliance with Nissan and is starting to benefit from the leadership of Carlos Ghosn. Indeed, the new car was singled out in Renault's Commitment 2009 plan, with the company aiming to make it one of the top three models in its segment in terms of product and service quality.Early indications suggest that it could achieve its aim. The Reanult Laguna is a better car than its previous iteration in many ways and with Ghosn's record, we wouldn't bet against Renault having finally got the quality right, too.
Launched with five engines - three diesel and two petrol - and four trim levels in the UK, the Renault Laguna will impress a lot of prospective buyers with its refinement and all-round package. However, Renault has not one, but two elephants in the room to contend with. First is the fact that the new Ford Mondeo, launched just a couple of months before the Laguna, has raised the bar again in the large family segment. The second is that the Reanult Laguna is being launched into a market that's been shrinking for some years. Today, everyone wants a hatchback, so competition in the D segment (large family cars) is fiercer than ever.
All this means that Renault has a lot riding on the new Laguna - which is why it has pulled out all the stops in the development of the new car to get it right.
It's just a shame that they couldn't have made it look a bit better at the same time.

New Renault Megan Sport dci 175

The idea of a diesel hot hatch will go down with most purists like a kick boxing match at a WI meeting, but Renault Sport has a good heritage of producing some serious driving machines from the regular stable of Renault hatchbacks, and has aimed to do the same with the Renault Sport Megane dCi 175, which has a 2.0-litre turbodiesel with 172bhp and a big 266lb-ft slug of torque.Visually, it's identical to other hot Meganes - except for the omission of the small tail spoiler - so unless you spot the driver reaching for the black pump at the petrol station, you'd never know it was a diesel. It doesn't even have the usual telltale diesel clatter; the Renault dCi 175 is one of the quietest and most refined diesels around. But hang on - hot hatches aren't about refinement and easy cruising, they're about hooning down country lanes, leaving the local wildlife cowering in the hedgerows.

New Peugeot Cars

New Peugeot 207cc

The idea of a diesel hot hatch will go down with most purists like a kick boxing match at a WI meeting, but RenaultSport has a good heritage of producing some serious driving machines from the regular stable of Renault hatchbacks, and has aimed to do the same with the RenaultSport Megane dCi 175, which has a 2.0-litre turbodiesel with 172bhp and a big 266lb-ft slug of torque. Since then, it has faced a number of similarly-equipped new rivals: the Nissan Micra C+C, the Mitsubishi Colt CZC, the oddball Daihatsu Copen and Vauxhall Tigra, plus the bigger and more expensive Renault Megane CC, Ford Focus C-C, VW Eos, the ever-popular Mazda MX-5. However, has remained the best-selling model of its type with 46,600-odd sold in the UK alone in the last five years. The Peugeot 207 CC carries on the same basic principles, keeping the 2+2-seater layout (though the rear seats are still, frankly, pretty useless), a relatively affordable starting price and near-supermini running costs. It's a slightly different proposition, though: more aggressive-looking, for a start, and more sports-focused in its handling, it feels a bit more grown-up - a proper car, not just a toy or a fashion accessory. Three engines are on offer this time around. There's an entry-level Peugeot 1.6 with variable-valve timing (120bhp); the Peugeot turbo-charged 1.6 THP (150bhp, as in the warm Peugeot 207 THP); and PSA's 110bhp 1.6 HDI diesel. All come with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard, with an optional four-speed auto for the Peugeot 1.6 16v (120bhp) engine.

New Peugeot 308

The Peugeot 307 was a huge seller for Peugeot, not because people fell in love with it but because it did its job well. It was roomy, generally reliable, with a good choice of engines and a range of body styles. It was good value and, unlike some of its rivals, there was nothing scary or ostentatious about the styling.The Peugeot 308 is built according to the same formula, but it's longer and wider, which makes it roomier. The first version to arrive is the hatchback, which comes with two subtly different rear bumpers and two even more subtly different fronts. They can't, however, disguise the fact that visually it's just a modest evolution of the Peugeot 307, as described in detail in our preview and analysis of the new car.If it looks largely familiar and unexciting from the outside, the inside is refreshingly neat, clean, simple and, for the most part, ergonomically sound. Go for one of the two-tone options; simple black is available, but it doesn't do justice to the elegant simplicity of the cabin's styling. There are five trim levels - Urban, S, Sport, SE and GT - and, for now, six engines. The three petrols - developed jointly with BMW - are a 95bhp 1.4-litre VTi, a 120bhp 1.6 VTi and a turbocharged version of the 1.6, the THP, which produces 150bhp. The three Peugeot HDi diesel engines are 90 and 110bhp versions of the PSA group's familiar 1.6-litre unit, and the 2.0 producing 136bhp. The most powerful diesel is the only Peugeot 308 with a six-speed manual gearbox; the others all have five speeds. Peugeot predicts that 60% of UK sales will be diesels.With low starting pries for the Peugeot 1.4 VTi Urban and increasing for the Peugeot 2.0-litre diesel in GT trim. When the three-door joins the range, the entry price will be lower for the 1.4 VTi.
So has the change from Peugeot 307 to 308 been worth it? Is the new car significantly better than the one it replaces? Yes. The Peugeot 308 is engaging in a way the Peugeot 307 wasn't. Like the Peugeot 306, the new car is friendly, easygoing and surprisingly enjoyable, whereas the Peugeot 307 left most drivers cold.

New Ford Transit

With its fresh and distinctive style, tough dependability and powerful Euro IV compliant Ford engines, superb cab environment and handling, the Ford Transit will create a first-rate impression for you and your business. When it comes to quality and style, the Ford Transit is second to none. The visual impression it makes is backed up by its range of available equipment. The superb car-like interior perfectly complements its dynamic exterior style. The two-tone instrument panel gives the cab a light and luxurious feel, and is brimming with innovative, unique storage. The way it looks means business, and you only get one chance to make a great impression, so let the Ford Transit help you make it. Its bold styling with a solid and contemporary design like the smart grille and larger headlights, plus optional 16" alloys convey a professional attitude from the word ‘go’. Dependent on model, Ford Transit Van also offers short, medium or long wheelbase and front or rear wheel drive, plus three roof heights for the ultimate in flexibility. The Ford Transit’s car-like interior is spacious, ergonomic and equipped with sophisticated technology to make your life easier. Air conditioning, cruise control and satellite navigation are all options and the range is also brimming with innovative and unique stowage features. The Ford Transit Double Cab-in-Van is a great solution for moving people and their equipment at the same time. Add to this clear instruments and easy-to-use controls and you get a comfortable and practical ride that reinforces the high level of quality and craftsmanship found throughout the entire range. Choose the best Ford Transit for the job. Short Wheelbase Transit Vans are ideal for driving around town and better yet there’s no compromise on load size. Medium Wheelbase Transit Vans provide additional length and cube with the choice of a low, medium or high roof. Long Wheelbase Ford Transit Vans are the next step up and are designed for heavy-duty use. Ford Transit 'Jumbo' is our ultimate van-based carrier and can accommodate five Europallets.

New Peugeot Boxer Van

Since its launch in 1994 Peugeot Boxers has seen 530,000 Peugeot Boxers come off the production line at the SEVEL Sud production facility in Val di Sangro on the east coast of Italy. The factory is run as a joint venture between Fiat Auto and PSA (parent company of Citroën and Peugeot) and also builds the Citroën Relay and Fiat Ducato.
Twelve years down the line and the triumvirate has launched the next generation of its medium/large panel vans and chassis cabs. We have already reported on the Citroën and Fiat take on the new models, but now it's the new Peugeot Boxer's turn under the spotlight.
Due to go on sale in the UK in November, the next generation Boxer range is designed to be more of a heavyweight contender than its predecessor. Gross vehicle weights range from 3.0 tonne to 4.0t, with 3.3- and 3.5-tonners slotting in between. Currently it spans 2.5t to 3.5t.
The availability of a 4-tonner is good news for the minibus market as it can be problematic turning a 3.5-tonner into a 17-seater. The gross payload tops out at around 2,000kg.
Three wheelbases are on offer (3,000mm, 3,450mm and 4,035mm) and there are four body length options (4,963mm, 5,413mm, 5,998mm and 6,363mm). Combine these with three roof heights and the end result is load volumes from 8.0m3 all the way up to 17.0m3. Previously, the most capacious Peugeot Boxer offered 14.0m3.
As well as the standard panel vans and minibuses, there will also be Combi variants (two rows of seats plus a load area), single and double cab chassis, as well as platform cabs.
Peugeot takes the conversion side of the business seriously and can provide a pre-cut roof section, easy and correct connection of ancillary equipment to the main vehicle electrical system and there is even an enlarged rear track option for extra-wide conversions.Load lengths range from 2,670mm to 4,070mm with a maximum width of 1,870mm, dropping to 1,422mm between the wheel boxes. The choice of three roof heights results in interior height measurements of 1,662mm, 1,932mm or 2,172mm.
Thanks to front-wheel drive and that tubular rear axle, the rear loading height is an impressively low 535-560mm.
The standard Boxer sliding side door uses an upper support rail for accurate guidance with supplementary rails at the waistline and floor level.
The rear side-hinged doors open to 96° which can be increased to 180° by releasing the door stays. Doors which open all the way to 270° and latch to the sides of the van are optional.
A full, solid bulkhead is likely to be standard in the UK — it should be — and the interior of the sidewalls and rear doors are lined with protective 'TEFLOR' panels to about a third of their height.
Eight or ten load-tie rings are fitted, dependent on load length, and there are pre-drilled fixing holes supplied above the protective panels to attach the rails for a load securing system.
Roof rack anchorage points are supplied as standard and are able to support load of between 150kg and 200kg, dependent on body The cab interior of the new Peugeot Boxer has been brought bang up to date and in line with the approach taken by other manufacturers it has many features more usually associated with the passenger car market.
Decent quality plastics are used throughout, the gearchange remains facia-mounted, and there is plenty of storage bins and cubbies provided. These include large bins in each door, a shelf on top of the dash on the passenger side and a big, centrally mounted lockable glovebox able to swallow A4 files or a laptop. There are shelves and another glovebox on the passenger side.
There's a fold-up map/paperwork holder provided in the centre of the facia top, but it is difficult to pull into position and it's flimsy construction does not bode well.
Good to see that two power sockets are provided, bearing in mind all the 'kit' we seem to carry around with us these days.
Peugeot supply a radio/CD player is fitted as standard, but like just about every other manufacturer there is no 3.5mm socket provided to hardwire the trusty iPod Having sampled 100 bhp and 120 bhp versions of the 2,2-litre HDi we would recommend the latter. Both are refined units with a smooth delivery of power, but the extra torque available in the latter makes for more relaxed driving and fewer gearchanges.
Not that changing gear is a hardship. The dash-mounted lever is ideally positioned with a light and easy action.
Handling seems to be predictable and safe, the steering is well weighted with sufficient feedback and the variable weight system fitted to the 120 bhp model performed as expected. The brakes work extremely well with the ABS not activating unnecessarily early, although the roads were dry.
The new Boxer cab design is a vast improvement over that of the predecessor, utilising much higher quality plastics. The driving position is excellent and the seats offer plenty of support.
There also seems to be an abundance of storage cubbies and we particularly like the big central glovebox.
The pull-up map/paperwork clipboard is a great idea, but in practice is difficult to operate and is of a flimsy construction. Peugeot should keep it, but it needs a redesign.
Large door mirrors (with a separate wide angle section) provide good rearward vision and also contain repeater indicators which could make them a relatively expensive replacement item.
A host of optional extras are available, including passenger and side air bags, audio and visual reversing aids and of course air conditioning.

links:-

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