Renault Clio 89 g

Even in its variants wiser, the restyled Clio displays a more aggressive face.

In pursuit of the bonus

The bonus / malus change in 2012? This is an ad that reacted manufacturers, including Renault. The French manufacturer lowers CO2 emissions of some Clio and Modus, to get aid more attractive.

The interior does not change in appearance. However, he finally gets a color navigation system, supplied by TomTom. The mark on the steering wheel, seats more enveloping and aluminum pedals feature the unique GT version.

The ritual is immutable: every time a hardening of the bonus / penalty is announced, builders rush to reduce CO2 emissions by some models, to return to more favorable slices. The publication of the 2012 fee schedule has caused a commotion of combat, especially in Renault. In its "low consumption", the Clio dCi 90 including falls from 94 to 89 g per km of CO2. Next year it will benefit from assistance from € 400, when it should have to settle for € 100 without this development. On Modus dCi 75 and 90, the decrease is more discreet. We go from 107 to 104 g / km, which will still get a bonus of € 100.

To rejuvenate its rear face, the little Renault merely changes rather discreet.

Good news for buyers? Not necessarily. At present, we were unable to join the Renault press office to find out the changes. But the hunt CO2 sometimes leads manufacturers to dangerous excess. On many models of Diamond, longer gear ratios has seriously undermined the raises: a Mégane Coupé dCi 110 2011 27.9 calls for example from 80 s to 120 km / h in sixth, when he s was 16.2 a year earlier. Same conclusion in the fourth, where he must now 12.3 s instead of 9.2. While in other brands, it is mainly tires low rolling resistance that annoy, ruining braking distances. We will certainly not measure these revised Clio and Modus, to check that there is no compromise on safety.

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Future Mercedes GL

Relief ... Camouflage


With its 2.5 tonnes, the GL is the mastodon of the range Mercedes. But no drastic dietprogram: better equipped than its predecessor, the next generation of 4x4 just for now to ease his disguise.

Built for the great outdoors U.S., the GL lives in the shadow in France. In the first sixmonths of the year, Mercedes has passed just 48 copies. This is ten times less than its main rival, the Audi Q7! However, the next generation of this giant will not change radicallyformula. Launched in late 2012, it still amply surpass 5 meters long, and keep a profile close to that of the current model. However, the camouflage of lighter latest prototypesreveals much finer taillights, mirrors larger, and a redesigned grille and headlights.

Like its close relative, the ML 3, GL 2 will also receive an interior completely redesigned.The vents turn from round to rectangular, the screen of the navigation system will be greater and all orders will be upgraded. Always able to accommodate seven passengers,will receive this great 4x4 latest technology: night vision, blind spot monitoring, automatic braking, reversing camera ... It will also adopt a standard Stop & Start, which will helpadvertise drinks less. But sobriety will clearly not a priority, especially as a unique versionof AMG over 500 hp on the agenda.

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Seat Altea XL Electric Ecomotive

Electrically yours

Made in small quantities, the Seat Altea XL Electric Ecomotive to be used to gain experience and information.

To create its first electric model, Seat has chosen from the base of the Altea compact MPV, in its long-XL. But the series is still far: only a small experimental series will be manufactured.

Apart from the grille and hidden decoration "flashy", this variant does not differ much from thermal versions.

While some manufacturers have already begun to integrate models in their range, most brands are still far from this phase. Seat is the case, which today unveiled its Altea XL Electric Ecomotive. Aesthetically very similar thermal versions, the compact MPV is aimednot only a great business career. It will just be made ​​a handful of copies that will be used togain experience on this technology. A strategy also used for the Hybrid Leon Twindrive presented simultaneously.

Depending on the decision, charging the battery takes between 2 and 8 hours.

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