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Renault has announced the Mégane Renaultsport 265 Trophy, a car that it’s touting as a serious rival to the Volkswagen Golf R.

As the name implies, the new arrival has had a modest power increase compared to the existing Mégane Renaultsport 250. Its 2.0 litre engine now produces 261 bhp (195 kW / 265 PS) and 360 Nm (265 lb/ft) of peak torque, courtesy of a revised air intake and a rise in turbo boost pressure from 2.3 to 2.5 bar.



The effect on performance isn’t spectacular, though. Top speed rises from 156 mph (251 km/h) to 158 mph (254 km/h), while the Mégane’s zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) time falls from 6.1 to 6.0 seconds. Perhaps surprisingly there’s no adverse effect on efficiency, with average fuel consumption and CO2 emissions remaining at 34.4 mpg (8.2 l/100km) and 190 g/km respectively.



By contrast, the all-wheel drive Golf R will ‘only’ hit 155 mph (250 km/h), but its 0-62 mph time of 5.7 seconds (or 5.5 seconds with the optional DSG transmission) comfortably surpasses that of the Renault. Volkswagen’s offering is marginally less economical though, managing 33.2 mpg (8.5 l/100km) on the combined cycle, while its CO2 figure with the standard manual gearbox is a high 199 g/km.







Another important area where the Mégane beats its opponent is price. In the UK, the three-door Golf R has a price tag of £31,115 on the road, but the Mégane Renaultsport 265 Trophy costs £27,820.



So quite a saving, but it assumes potential customers will actually be able to get their hands on the Renault. That’s because only 500 examples of the 265 Trophy are going to be built, of which just fifty are coming to the UK. The rest will be divided between Austria, Belgium, France (where it’ll be priced at €35,500), Germany, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland.



Specification includes the Cup chassis - with its stiffer springs, dampers and anti-roll bar - plus a mechanical limited slip differential and the PerfoHub front suspension set-up that is designed to overcome the inevitable torque steer. The black 19” alloy wheels are shod with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyres, which are claimed to have Formula 1 inspired tread patterns.



On the inside of the Mégane, there are Recaro seats with yellow seatbelts as well as the Renaultsport Monitor data logging system. It records and displays various parameters in real time, something that’s probably useful for track days if not the daily commute.



Whereas other markets get a choice of yellow, black, white or grey paintwork, UK buyers will be restricted to just the first two colours. However, as compensation, their cars will come complete with a numbered plaque and, more importantly, owners will also get free access to the full 2012 Renaultsport UK track day calendar.



Related posts:

World Car Awards finalists

2011 What Car? Awards

Renault has announced the Mégane Renaultsport 265 Trophy, a car that it’s touting as a serious rival to the Volkswagen Golf R.

As the name implies, the new arrival has had a modest power increase compared to the existing Mégane Renaultsport 250. Its 2.0 litre engine now produces 261 bhp (195 kW / 265 PS) and 360 Nm (265 lb/ft) of peak torque, courtesy of a revised air intake and a rise in turbo boost pressure from 2.3 to 2.5 bar.



The effect on performance isn’t spectacular, though. Top speed rises from 156 mph (251 km/h) to 158 mph (254 km/h), while the Mégane’s zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) time falls from 6.1 to 6.0 seconds. Perhaps surprisingly there’s no adverse effect on efficiency, with average fuel consumption and CO2 emissions remaining at 34.4 mpg (8.2 l/100km) and 190 g/km respectively.



By contrast, the all-wheel drive Golf R will ‘only’ hit 155 mph (250 km/h), but its 0-62 mph time of 5.7 seconds (or 5.5 seconds with the optional DSG transmission) comfortably surpasses that of the Renault. Volkswagen’s offering is marginally less economical though, managing 33.2 mpg (8.5 l/100km) on the combined cycle, while its CO2 figure with the standard manual gearbox is a high 199 g/km.







Another important area where the Mégane beats its opponent is price. In the UK, the three-door Golf R has a price tag of £31,115 on the road, but the Mégane Renaultsport 265 Trophy costs £27,820.



So quite a saving, but it assumes potential customers will actually be able to get their hands on the Renault. That’s because only 500 examples of the 265 Trophy are going to be built, of which just fifty are coming to the UK. The rest will be divided between Austria, Belgium, France (where it’ll be priced at €35,500), Germany, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland.



Specification includes the Cup chassis - with its stiffer springs, dampers and anti-roll bar - plus a mechanical limited slip differential and the PerfoHub front suspension set-up that is designed to overcome the inevitable torque steer. The black 19” alloy wheels are shod with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyres, which are claimed to have Formula 1 inspired tread patterns.



On the inside of the Mégane, there are Recaro seats with yellow seatbelts as well as the Renaultsport Monitor data logging system. It records and displays various parameters in real time, something that’s probably useful for track days if not the daily commute.



Whereas other markets get a choice of yellow, black, white or grey paintwork, UK buyers will be restricted to just the first two colours. However, as compensation, their cars will come complete with a numbered plaque and, more importantly, owners will also get free access to the full 2012 Renaultsport UK track day calendar.



Related posts:

World Car Awards finalists

2011 What Car? Awards

For many prospective buyers in today’s market, the question of which new cars are cheapest to insure is a critical one.



In the UK, finding the answer is made easier because all models are placed at launch into one of fifty advisory groups, with the idea being that cars in Group 1 should attract the lowest premiums, and those in Group 50 the highest.



Deciding which vehicles go into each group falls to the Association of British Insurers, working with the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre at Thatcham. The allocation process takes into account things like parts costs, repair times, performance and security.



Unfortunately, there aren’t too many new cars that fall into Group 1 or Group 2. In fact, the total number is ten, and here they are listed alphabetically by manufacturer:



Chevrolet Spark 1.0  (Group 1E)



At £7,215 on the road, the base Spark is one of the cheapest cars on sale in the UK. That’s enough to buy eye-catching styling and a five-door body, with little else besides. Customers wanting electric windows, central locking, air conditioning or an audio system have to look higher up the Spark range, but more kit means a higher insurance group.

The Chevrolet’s four cylinder, one litre engine produces 67 bhp (50 kW / 68 PS) and 93 Nm (68 lb/ft) of torque, giving a top speed of 96 mph (154 km/h). Average fuel consumption is a reasonable 55.4 mpg (5.1 l/100km).



Image © GM Corp.



Citroën C1 1.0 VT  (Group 2E)



Unlike anything from the closely related Peugeot 107 and Toyota Aygo line-ups, a Citroën C1 makes it into Group 2. However, the downside is that it’s the basic VT spec, so owners miss out on niceties such as electric windows and air conditioning.





Max power from the three cylinder engine is 67 bhp (50 kW / 68 PS), which is enough to propel the C1 from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 13.3 seconds. Such brisk performance doesn’t come at the expense of efficiency though, as it’ll average 62.8 mpg (4.5 l/100km) with CO2 emissions of just 103 g/km. Prices are £8,695 for the three-door, or £9,045 for the five-door.



Fiat Qubo Active 1.4  (Group 2E)



Possibly the biggest (literally) surprise amongst all the models here is the Qubo, a van-derived mini MPV. The Fiat’s looks may divide opinion, but there’s no doubting that at £10,705 on the road it’s a lot of metal for the money. Equipment levels are fairly generous too, with the Blue&Me Bluetooth / USB connectivity system and four airbags coming as standard with the basic Active trim grade.





Although it has a 1.4 petrol engine, it’s by no means a performance car. 0-62 mph (100 km/h) takes a lethargic 16.2 seconds, while the claimed top speed is 97 mph (156 km/h). Combined cycle fuel consumption of 42.2 mpg (6.7 l/100km) is reasonably good, given the Qubo’s relative bulk.



Nissan Pixo Visia 1.0  (Group 2E)



Nissan recently reduced the price of the Pixo Visia from £7,350 to £6,995, thereby undercutting the Chevrolet Spark. Predictably for that amount of money the windows have to be wound up and down manually, the doors locked individually and there are only two airbags. At least the Visia gets a CD player, though.





The Pixo’s 996 cc three cylinder engine generates 67 bhp (50 kW / 68 PS), and it’ll achieve a very impressive 64.2 mpg (4.4 l/100km) while emitting 103 g/km of CO2.



Nissan Pixo Acenta 1.0  (Group 2E)



The £8,100 Acenta trim grade has only just been dropped from the Nissan price list, effectively replaced by the n-tec version which falls into a higher insurance group. However, there might be some Acenta models still at dealers awaiting buyers.



Toyota Yaris T2 1.0 VVT-i  (Group 2E)



Surprisingly, the entry-level Yaris falls into a lower insurance group than the smaller Aygo. Air conditioning and extra airbags are absent from the T2 version, but it does get electric windows, electrically adjustable door mirrors and a four-speaker stereo with steering wheel mounted controls.





Power comes from a three cylinder, one litre engine producing 68 bhp (51 kW / 69 PS), which is not a lot for a supermini. Consequently, it’s no great surprise that the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint takes a sluggish 15.7 seconds, but the compensation is decent average fuel consumption of 55.4 mpg (5.1 l/100km). The Yaris T2 is priced at £10,730 in three-door form, with the five-door costing £500 more.



Vauxhall Corsa Expression 1.0 ecoFlex  (Group 2E)



Costing £9,995 and only available as a three-door, as expected the standard equipment list for the Corsa Expression is sparse.



In common with many of the cars listed here, under the bonnet lurks a one litre, three cylinder engine. With an output of 64 bhp (48 kW / 65 PS), it’ll do 56.5 mpg (5.0 l/100km) with CO2 emissions of 117 g/km.



Vauxhall Corsa S 1.0 ecoFlex  (Group 2E)



Mechanically the same as the Expression, the slightly posher ‘S’ gets electric front windows and remote central locking, but there’s still no air conditioning.





It costs £11,625 on the road for the three-door, although the ‘Vauxhall Internet Price’ is currently £9,895, which actually makes the lead-in Expression superfluous. For more practicality, the five-door retails at £12,050 (with a ‘Vauxhall Internet Price’ of £10,730).



Image © GM Corp.



Volkswagen Fox 1.2  (Group 1E)



The trump card for Volkswagen’s Brazilian-built entry level model is plenty of cabin space, thanks to a body that’s taller than a Polo’s and almost as wide. Interior trim quality and equipment levels might not be up to Phaeton standards, but then the Fox does currently cost just £7,295 on the road.





A recently reworked 1.2 litre engine provides 59 bhp (44 kW / 60 PS) and a useful 108 Nm (80 lb/ft) of torque, but the Fox tops out at 95 mph (152 km/h). Fuel consumption of 48.7 mpg (5.8 l/100km) isn’t outstanding against the competition, and CO2 emissions of 136g/km are disappointing.



Volkswagen Urban Fox 1.2  (Group 1E)



Sharing its engine with the basic Fox, the Urban version is differentiated by having some extra goodies. These include electric windows, remote central locking, a split folding rear seat and body coloured bumpers. The retail price for the Urban Fox is £8,030.





Related post:

Top 10: Cheapest new cars

For many prospective buyers in today’s market, the question of which new cars are cheapest to insure is a critical one.



In the UK, finding the answer is made easier because all models are placed at launch into one of fifty advisory groups, with the idea being that cars in Group 1 should attract the lowest premiums, and those in Group 50 the highest.



Deciding which vehicles go into each group falls to the Association of British Insurers, working with the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre at Thatcham. The allocation process takes into account things like parts costs, repair times, performance and security.



Unfortunately, there aren’t too many new cars that fall into Group 1 or Group 2. In fact, the total number is ten, and here they are listed alphabetically by manufacturer:



Chevrolet Spark 1.0  (Group 1E)



At £7,215 on the road, the base Spark is one of the cheapest cars on sale in the UK. That’s enough to buy eye-catching styling and a five-door body, with little else besides. Customers wanting electric windows, central locking, air conditioning or an audio system have to look higher up the Spark range, but more kit means a higher insurance group.

The Chevrolet’s four cylinder, one litre engine produces 67 bhp (50 kW / 68 PS) and 93 Nm (68 lb/ft) of torque, giving a top speed of 96 mph (154 km/h). Average fuel consumption is a reasonable 55.4 mpg (5.1 l/100km).



Image © GM Corp.



Citroën C1 1.0 VT  (Group 2E)



Unlike anything from the closely related Peugeot 107 and Toyota Aygo line-ups, a Citroën C1 makes it into Group 2. However, the downside is that it’s the basic VT spec, so owners miss out on niceties such as electric windows and air conditioning.





Max power from the three cylinder engine is 67 bhp (50 kW / 68 PS), which is enough to propel the C1 from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 13.3 seconds. Such brisk performance doesn’t come at the expense of efficiency though, as it’ll average 62.8 mpg (4.5 l/100km) with CO2 emissions of just 103 g/km. Prices are £8,695 for the three-door, or £9,045 for the five-door.



Fiat Qubo Active 1.4  (Group 2E)



Possibly the biggest (literally) surprise amongst all the models here is the Qubo, a van-derived mini MPV. The Fiat’s looks may divide opinion, but there’s no doubting that at £10,705 on the road it’s a lot of metal for the money. Equipment levels are fairly generous too, with the Blue&Me Bluetooth / USB connectivity system and four airbags coming as standard with the basic Active trim grade.





Although it has a 1.4 petrol engine, it’s by no means a performance car. 0-62 mph (100 km/h) takes a lethargic 16.2 seconds, while the claimed top speed is 97 mph (156 km/h). Combined cycle fuel consumption of 42.2 mpg (6.7 l/100km) is reasonably good, given the Qubo’s relative bulk.



Nissan Pixo Visia 1.0  (Group 2E)



Nissan recently reduced the price of the Pixo Visia from £7,350 to £6,995, thereby undercutting the Chevrolet Spark. Predictably for that amount of money the windows have to be wound up and down manually, the doors locked individually and there are only two airbags. At least the Visia gets a CD player, though.





The Pixo’s 996 cc three cylinder engine generates 67 bhp (50 kW / 68 PS), and it’ll achieve a very impressive 64.2 mpg (4.4 l/100km) while emitting 103 g/km of CO2.



Nissan Pixo Acenta 1.0  (Group 2E)



The £8,100 Acenta trim grade has only just been dropped from the Nissan price list, effectively replaced by the n-tec version which falls into a higher insurance group. However, there might be some Acenta models still at dealers awaiting buyers.



Toyota Yaris T2 1.0 VVT-i  (Group 2E)



Surprisingly, the entry-level Yaris falls into a lower insurance group than the smaller Aygo. Air conditioning and extra airbags are absent from the T2 version, but it does get electric windows, electrically adjustable door mirrors and a four-speaker stereo with steering wheel mounted controls.





Power comes from a three cylinder, one litre engine producing 68 bhp (51 kW / 69 PS), which is not a lot for a supermini. Consequently, it’s no great surprise that the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint takes a sluggish 15.7 seconds, but the compensation is decent average fuel consumption of 55.4 mpg (5.1 l/100km). The Yaris T2 is priced at £10,730 in three-door form, with the five-door costing £500 more.



Vauxhall Corsa Expression 1.0 ecoFlex  (Group 2E)



Costing £9,995 and only available as a three-door, as expected the standard equipment list for the Corsa Expression is sparse.



In common with many of the cars listed here, under the bonnet lurks a one litre, three cylinder engine. With an output of 64 bhp (48 kW / 65 PS), it’ll do 56.5 mpg (5.0 l/100km) with CO2 emissions of 117 g/km.



Vauxhall Corsa S 1.0 ecoFlex  (Group 2E)



Mechanically the same as the Expression, the slightly posher ‘S’ gets electric front windows and remote central locking, but there’s still no air conditioning.





It costs £11,625 on the road for the three-door, although the ‘Vauxhall Internet Price’ is currently £9,895, which actually makes the lead-in Expression superfluous. For more practicality, the five-door retails at £12,050 (with a ‘Vauxhall Internet Price’ of £10,730).



Image © GM Corp.



Volkswagen Fox 1.2  (Group 1E)



The trump card for Volkswagen’s Brazilian-built entry level model is plenty of cabin space, thanks to a body that’s taller than a Polo’s and almost as wide. Interior trim quality and equipment levels might not be up to Phaeton standards, but then the Fox does currently cost just £7,295 on the road.





A recently reworked 1.2 litre engine provides 59 bhp (44 kW / 60 PS) and a useful 108 Nm (80 lb/ft) of torque, but the Fox tops out at 95 mph (152 km/h). Fuel consumption of 48.7 mpg (5.8 l/100km) isn’t outstanding against the competition, and CO2 emissions of 136g/km are disappointing.



Volkswagen Urban Fox 1.2  (Group 1E)



Sharing its engine with the basic Fox, the Urban version is differentiated by having some extra goodies. These include electric windows, remote central locking, a split folding rear seat and body coloured bumpers. The retail price for the Urban Fox is £8,030.





Related post:

Top 10: Cheapest new cars

If a car becomes popular with a particular profession, it’s usually not too much of a problem. But ‘hairdresser’s car’ has become a pejorative term suggesting small, cutesy and not for anyone with a deluded sense of machismo.



So what do hairdressers actually drive? In response to that important question, UK insurance company Diamond has reviewed its database of 18,000 stylists, and the answer seems to be… anything small and cutesy.



Favourite is the Mini One, followed by the Vauxhall Tigra and Volkswagen Beetle. Completing the top five are the Ford Ka and Mini Cooper.

Hairdressers' favourite: The Mini One Hatch.

Doubtless certain owners of the Audi TT and Fiat 500 will be relieved that their cars didn’t make the list.



Related posts:

New Mini is a… bicycle

Mini gets mini revamp

If a car becomes popular with a particular profession, it’s usually not too much of a problem. But ‘hairdresser’s car’ has become a pejorative term suggesting small, cutesy and not for anyone with a deluded sense of machismo.



So what do hairdressers actually drive? In response to that important question, UK insurance company Diamond has reviewed its database of 18,000 stylists, and the answer seems to be… anything small and cutesy.



Favourite is the Mini One, followed by the Vauxhall Tigra and Volkswagen Beetle. Completing the top five are the Ford Ka and Mini Cooper.

Hairdressers' favourite: The Mini One Hatch.

Doubtless certain owners of the Audi TT and Fiat 500 will be relieved that their cars didn’t make the list.



Related posts:

New Mini is a… bicycle

Mini gets mini revamp

The desirable Sportline specification is returning to Volkswagen’s Transporter range.



Available on both the panel van and kombi, 2011 Sportline models get a purposeful look thanks to 18” alloy wheels, stainless steel side bars, a rear roof spoiler, revised headlights, a bespoke body-coloured front bumper and a black and chrome grille.



Finishing off the effect is a choice of Deep Black pearlescent, Reflex Silver metallic or Candy White paintwork, the last of which comes with a gloss black roof.

On the inside there’s two-tone leather upholstery, plus a generous equipment list that includes Bluetooth connectivity, a 7” touch screen with full European satellite navigation, electric windows and air conditioning.



But the Sportline isn’t just about appearances, as under the bonnet there’s a 2.0 litre BiTDI diesel engine that features twin turbochargers and common rail direct injection.



Producing 177 bhp (132 kW / 180 PS) and a very useful 400 Nm (295 lb/ft) of torque, it’s powerful enough to accelerate the six-speed manual panel van Sportline from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in just 9.9 seconds. Top speed is 119 mph (191 km/h).



The optional seven-speed DSG gearbox doesn’t really harm performance, but fuel economy and emissions do suffer slightly.



All of that power and kit comes at a cost though, with UK on-the-road prices starting at £28,220 (excluding VAT).

2011 Volkswagen Transporter Sportline - Specifications and Pricing
Panel van	Short wheelbase		Long wheelbase
Transmission	6-sp manual	7-sp DSG	6-sp manual	7-sp DSG
Top speed mph	119	119	119	119
0-62 mph secs	9.9	10.0	9.9	10.0
Combined fuel economy mpg (l/100km)	36.2 (7.8)	34.9 (8.1)	36.2 (7.8)	34.9 (8.1)
CO2 g/km	205	214	205	214
Total OTR excl. VAT	£28,220.00	£29,620.00	£28,710.00	£30,110.00
Total OTR incl. VAT	£33,811.00	£35,491.00	£34,399.00	£36,079.00
Kombi	Short wheelbase		Long wheelbase
Transmission	6-sp manual	7-sp DSG	6-sp manual	7-sp DSG
Top speed mph	119	119	119	119
0-62 mph secs	10.3	10.2	10.3	10.2
Combined fuel economy mpg (l/100km)	36.2 (7.8)	34.9 (8.1)	36.2 (7.8)	34.9 (8.1)
CO2 g/km	205	214	205	214
Total OTR excl. VAT	£30,100.00	£31,500.00	£30,580.00	£31,990.00
Total OTR incl. VAT	£36,067.00	£37,747.00	£36,655.00	£38,335.00

The desirable Sportline specification is returning to Volkswagen’s Transporter range.



Available on both the panel van and kombi, 2011 Sportline models get a purposeful look thanks to 18” alloy wheels, stainless steel side bars, a rear roof spoiler, revised headlights, a bespoke body-coloured front bumper and a black and chrome grille.



Finishing off the effect is a choice of Deep Black pearlescent, Reflex Silver metallic or Candy White paintwork, the last of which comes with a gloss black roof.

On the inside there’s two-tone leather upholstery, plus a generous equipment list that includes Bluetooth connectivity, a 7” touch screen with full European satellite navigation, electric windows and air conditioning.



But the Sportline isn’t just about appearances, as under the bonnet there’s a 2.0 litre BiTDI diesel engine that features twin turbochargers and common rail direct injection.



Producing 177 bhp (132 kW / 180 PS) and a very useful 400 Nm (295 lb/ft) of torque, it’s powerful enough to accelerate the six-speed manual panel van Sportline from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in just 9.9 seconds. Top speed is 119 mph (191 km/h).



The optional seven-speed DSG gearbox doesn’t really harm performance, but fuel economy and emissions do suffer slightly.



All of that power and kit comes at a cost though, with UK on-the-road prices starting at £28,220 (excluding VAT).

2011 Volkswagen Transporter Sportline - Specifications and Pricing
Panel van	Short wheelbase		Long wheelbase
Transmission	6-sp manual	7-sp DSG	6-sp manual	7-sp DSG
Top speed mph	119	119	119	119
0-62 mph secs	9.9	10.0	9.9	10.0
Combined fuel economy mpg (l/100km)	36.2 (7.8)	34.9 (8.1)	36.2 (7.8)	34.9 (8.1)
CO2 g/km	205	214	205	214
Total OTR excl. VAT	£28,220.00	£29,620.00	£28,710.00	£30,110.00
Total OTR incl. VAT	£33,811.00	£35,491.00	£34,399.00	£36,079.00
Kombi	Short wheelbase		Long wheelbase
Transmission	6-sp manual	7-sp DSG	6-sp manual	7-sp DSG
Top speed mph	119	119	119	119
0-62 mph secs	10.3	10.2	10.3	10.2
Combined fuel economy mpg (l/100km)	36.2 (7.8)	34.9 (8.1)	36.2 (7.8)	34.9 (8.1)
CO2 g/km	205	214	205	214
Total OTR excl. VAT	£30,100.00	£31,500.00	£30,580.00	£31,990.00
Total OTR incl. VAT	£36,067.00	£37,747.00	£36,655.00	£38,335.00