CAR News

First details of the tough, new-generation 2012 Holden Colorado have been released today ahead of its much-anticipated Australian launch mid-year.

Holden’s 2012 Colorado mini-site will go live today, coinciding with the arrival of a number of pre-production vehicles for local engineering evaluation and promotional activities to be held at Holden dealerships around Australia.

The 2012 Holden Colorado range will offer customers three body styles – single cab, space cab and crew cab – and offer two all-new 2.5-litre and 2.8-litre DOHC in-line 4-cylinder turbo diesel engines.
Both engines are tuned to deliver peak torque low in the rev range for maximum driveability and cargo carrying capability, while the 2.8-litre engine – when paired with the optional six-speed automatic transmission – produces 10 per cent more power and 40 per cent more torque than the outgoing 3.0-litre diesel powertrain it replaces.
The new Colorado will boast a class-leading 3.5-tonne towing capacity across the 2.8-litre turbo diesel range and an impressive 3.0-tonne towing capacity on all 2.5-litre variants.

An extensive list of safety features will be standard across the range, including driver and front passenger airbags, side curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake force Distribution and Electronic Stability Control.

Colorado will also be equipped with lifestyle and comfort features including Bluetooth® connectivity, air-conditioning, power windows, auxiliary plug and USB port, two auxiliary power outlets and iPod® compatible audio system.

Holden Executive Director Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, John Elsworth said the company had been working hard to finalise the local range ahead of the Colorado’s official launch since the show car was revealed at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne last July.

“The new Colorado is a new era for Holden LCVs and will play a vital role in our product renaissance. We’re so excited about its performance as a tough, daily workhorse and active recreational vehicle that we wanted to preview the range as soon as possible,” Mr Elsworth said.

“This is the most impressive light truck ever designed by General Motors, and we expect it to be a serious challenger in the competitive Australian light commercial market.

“Our diesel-only powertrain strategy means we’ll offer two very competitive, responsive engines that boast impressive towing capacity of up to 3.5-tonne, which we know our customers will love.
“A number of new Colorados are already out on the road gathering important data on engine and transmission performance, drive quality and suspension tune. This evaluation work will continue for the next few months to make sure it is perfectly suited for Australian roads and conditions.”

“And in the meantime customers will have the chance to inspect the new range at Holden dealerships from April, with a number of Colorados touring the country as part of our pre-launch roadshow.”
Holden is currently performing local development work on the new Colorado using a series of engineering tests, which includes a rigorous five-month real-world drive quality evaluation on Australian roads.

The Colorado workhorse will be put through its paces in a range of recreational activities typically experienced by light commercial vehicle customers, including four-wheel driving, towing, farming, camping and fishing.

2013 Jeep Wrangler

The new Jeep Wrangler Mountain special-edition model: nature and adventure combine with the capability, reliability and security offered by the iconic Wrangler. The new Jeep Wrangler Mountain edition will be powered by the efficient 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine and the recently introduced 3.6-litre V6 Pentastar. New limited edition model will arrive in European dealerships at the end of the second quarter of 2012 in both two- and four-door versions.

Building on the success of the recent special-edition Wrangler vehicles, Jeep introduces in Geneva another high-impact, limited-edition model: the new Jeep Wrangler Mountain.

With a unique exterior and interior design enhanced by exclusive styling cues, 17-inch wheels and authentic accessories by Mopar®, the new special edition model is the vehicle for those who want to stand out in the open spaces. In expressing the endless possibilities of customization of the iconic Wrangler, the new Mountain edition pays tribute those who actively practice the outdoors. With the ‘Mountain’ theme recalled by the name of the vehicle, the brand also wants to underline that thanks to benchmark technology and unmatched off-road expertise the iconic Wrangler is capable of overcoming the most demanding trails and the most challenging driving conditions.

Jeep Wrangler Mountain is based on the Wrangler Sport model and it will be available on both two-and four-door versions. Exterior features include a unique Black decal on the hood, front Mineral Gray grille and painted high-gloss Mineral Gray 17-inch wheels. Additional features are the ‘Mountain’ decal over part of the hood with latitude and longitude coordinates familiar to outdoor enthusiasts, side steps and black fuel-filler door from Mopar.

The interior features fabric seats with Slate Grey stitching and embroidered ‘Mountain logo’. Mopar treatment in the cabin consists of tread-pattern slush mats.

Exterior colors for the new Mountain special edition model are in addition to the all-new Gecko that enhances the vehicle displayed in Geneva, the Black, Bright White, Dozer and Black Forrest Green colors already available in the Wrangler lineup.

The new Mountain special-edition model will be powered by the 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine producing 200 hp at 3,600 rpm and 460 Nm of torque at 1,600-2,600 rpm paired to a five-speed automatic transmission with Electronic Range Select (ERS). The diesel engine can be also equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox. Also available on the new special edition model is the new 3.6-litre V-6 petrol engine delivering 284 horsepower DIN (209 kW) and 347 Nm (256 lb-ft) of torque. The 3.6-litre petrol engine is matched to the automatic five-speed transaxle with ERS.

Engineered to master the most challenging off-road tracks, Jeep Wrangler Mountain features an enhanced Dana 30 front axle and enhanced Dana 44 rear axle. Legendary Jeep off-road capability is achieved through the standard Command-Trac® NV241 part-time, two-speed transfer case with a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio.

The equipment for driver’s and passengers’ on-board comfort offers leather-wrapped steering-wheel with integrated controls, Dual Top configuration (i.e. the possibility to have both the soft and hardtop options), Uconnect® multimedia infotainment and new Winter & Sound Group package, including front heated seats and 368-watt, 6-speaker Infinity audio system.

Jeep Wrangler is the original and authentic 4×4 that expresses the unconventional soul of the American brand by combining exceptional off-road capabilities with the driving enjoyment offered by a unique vehicle in the automotive industry. Undisputed off-road champion, Jeep Wrangler is appreciated worldwide for its outstanding off-road capabilities and its unique personality.

To see the new Mc-Laren MP4-12C in the wild is an unusual and rare phenomenon. Whenever the viewer at the sight of such a super athlete has to catch their breath, the luxury refiner Wheelsandmore takes a deep breath and starts their work.

The Mc-Laren newly developed 3.8 liter V8 biturbo engine isn´t missing enough horsepower, but Wheelsandmore followed the exclusive sales order “create something diabolical” and increased the factory output of 600 hp to a whopping 666 hp and 640 Nm of torque. Responsible for the proper performance is a handcrafted exhaust system with remote-able exhaust valves and the optimized control electronics. Currently Wheelsandmore is testing a turbo and intercooler upgrade up to 800hp.
World-exclusive Wheelsandmore lowered the PCC complex electronic hydraulic suspension system, that controls body roll and the roll-permanently, to another 25mm and improves handling and steering of the MP4-12C. Even more attention was paid to the development of the customized forged wheels for the MC Laren MP4-12C. To avoid a negative effect of the unsprung masses the 6Sporz ² ultralight-forged wheels were additionally weight-optimized and individually constructed sizing 9.0×20″ and 12,0×21″. Continental Sport Contact 5P tires ensuring the ideal contact to the road, rotating in size 245/30/20″ on the front and in size 325/25/21on the rear axle.

Completion of the skilful refining of this super sports car is the color matched Trim-Line-Design stripe with the logotype of the german luxury car tuner.

New Mégane Renaultsport 265 now available to order in two versions: 265 Cup available for £24,825 on-the-road and 265 at £26,025. In UK showrooms from early April
New version boosted by an extra 15hp of power and 20Nm of torque. A new ‘Sport’ mode in the Renaultsport Dynamic Management system changes the exhaust note and also frees its full 265hp
Among other changes are several new options: Renaultsport ‘Red Design Pack’ (red striping on front blade, rear diffuser and side protection mouldings) £350, rear parking camera with front parking sensors for £360 and Visio System by Renault (lane departure warning and auto high/low beam) is available on the 265 priced £300
One new colour is introduced for 2012 – Arctic White
Cup Chassis Pack on top-of-the-range 265 is £1,350: 18″ alloy wheels in matt black fitted 235/40 R18 95Y Michelin Sport 2 tyres, grooved brake discs, limited slip differential, red brake calipers, stiffer springs/dampers/anti-roll bars
Mégane Renaultsport 2012 is eligible for the Renault 4+ customer care package with headline Renault Selections PCP offer of £419 deposit/£419 per month over four years for the 265 Cup version and £439/£439 for the 265
Mégane Renaultsport is powering on from the success of the multi award-winning 250 range with a new and improved model for 2012, packing more power and torque.

Open for customer ordering from today, Renault’s new performance flagships, Mégane Renaultsport 265 Cup and 265 are priced £24,825 and £26,025 on-the-road. The key improvement on the second phase of the French brand’s halo model is a 15hp hike on its predecessor, plus an extra 20Nm torque, both released through the car’s Renaultsport Dynamic Management programme.

Compared to the previous model, the Renaultsport 265 boasts improved performance statistics, dispatching 0-62mph in six seconds exactly (instead of 6.1), with a top speed of 158 mph, up by an extra 2 mph. In everyday driving, its 360Nm is usefully available across a broad rev band between 3,000 and 5,000rpm. Its impressive power-to-weight ratio is also a hefty 191hp per tonne.

To achieve these gains, Renaultsport’s wizardry has seen the engine’s maximum turbo pressure uprated to 2.5 bar, up by 0.2, together with the air intake being revised to take account of the higher pressure and running temperatures.

Elsewhere, in either Cup form or with the optional Cup chassis specified on the range-topping 265, the new model retains the essence of the Mégane Renaultsport’s award-winning recipe, including the critically acclaimed Cup chassis (stiffer springs, dampers and anti-roll bar and grooved brake discs), mechanical limited slip differential, Brembo brakes, as well as the innovative PerfoHub independent steering axis front suspension set-up, which virtually eliminates torque steer.

The brand new Mégane Renaultsport 265 range features a host of technological features, most notably the set-up for the Renaultsport Dynamic Management system which allows the driver to switch between two power settings. The default is 250hp/340Nm of torque for five per cent improved fuel consumption, while turning on the Sport mode boosts the Mégane up to 265hp/360Nm of torque for the ultimate Renaultsport experience. The Sport mode is activated simply via the ESC button and also enhances the car’s exhaust note.

Rounding off the equipment improvements, three new items appear on the options list. The first, Renaultsport ‘Red Design Pack’, apes much of the style of the limited edition 265 Trophy, with red striping on the front blade, rear diffuser and side protection mouldings for £350.
The second introduction is the Visio System by Renault which recently debuted on Scénic 2012, priced at £300. Assuming the driver has unintentionally lost concentration, possibly through fatigue, the system features a lane departure warning giving an audible and visual warning if he or she unintentionally crosses white lines in the road without indicating. The system can easily be switched off when not required. In addition, the new addition also incorporates an automatic high and low headlight beam when conditions allow. Not part of the system, but still of benefit in the new model is a ‘lane change function’ which is likely to prove ideal with motorway driving, giving three flashes to other road users simply through a quick flick of the indicator stalk.

The final addition in the trio is the option of a £360 new rear parking camera, combined with front parking sensors, to help protect Megane Renaultsport 265′s potent styling when manoeuvring and parking.
Naturally, a Cup Chassis Pack will be available on the more luxurious 265. Priced at £1,350 including VAT, it offers 18″ alloy wheels in matt black, 235/40 R18 95Y Michelin Sport 2 tyres, grooved brake discs, limited slip differential, red brake callipers and stiffer springs, dampers and anti-roll bars.

As with the rest of the range, Renault is also the only manufacturer to offer TomTom Live services on the optional Carminat TomTom Live satellite navigation system as part of a fully integrated system. Customers also benefit from a three month free trial upon activation on the time-saving real-time system which also features Google search and weather functions.

In the rare moments when it is being driven sedately enough to be glimpsed, the Mégane Renaultsport will be instantly recognisable through its striking interior. The Renaultsport 265 standard upholstery is carbon grey Renaultsport leather, with red seatbelts and red stitching visible throughout the cabin. Recaro front seats with a carbon grey leather upholstery and yellow seatbelts are also an option on the 265 and a new carbon and silver grey bi-tone leather upholstery is available as an option.

New for 2012, the Renaultsport 265 Cup standard upholstery is carbon grey Renaultsport cloth with red stitching. The seatbelts are red, as is the stitching throughout the cabin, while the door panels have a carbon fibre effect finish. Figure hugging Recaro front seats with a Carbon grey cloth and synthetic leather edging and yellow detailing are an option on the 265 Cup, while the seatbelts are also yellow with these seats.
Renaultsport enthusiasts can also look forward to several new design alloy wheels.
18″ ‘Tibor’ matt black for the 265 Cup and when the optional Cup chassis is selected on the 265.
18″ ‘Tibor’ satin anthracite fitted as standard to the 265.
19″ ‘Steev’ Speedline in a diamond cut finish as an option
19″ ‘Steev’ Speedline in a gloss black finish with a red rim and Bridgestone RE050A tyres as an option
One new colour is introduced on the new range, Arctic White.
4+ package available on Renaultsport
Renault recently revealed details of its 4+ deal for February which unusually includes all models across the Renaultsport range. This comprehensive customer care package offers buyers a four year/100,000 mile warranty, four years/48,000 miles free routine servicing, four years roadside cover and the availability of up to four years finance (HP, lease or PCP subject to status). The package will not only offer Renaultsport customers peace of mind, fixed running costs and affordable monthly payments, but also improve resale value as it is transferable to the next owner free of charge.

The headline Renault Selections PCP offer for the new range is a tempting £419 deposit/£419 per month over four years for the 265 Cup version and £439/£439 for the 265.

Mégane Renaultsport: 10,000 sold in 40 countries since 2010
Mégane Renaultsport is the best-selling hot hatch in both France and Spain, as well as one of the top three in Europe, accounting for 15% of overall Mégane Coupé sales. It continues to attract media plaudits and recently won What Car? Best Hot Hatch for the third consecutive year.