Refined 2011 Renault Espace MPV Priced from £24,495 in the UK

The Renault Espace MPV is entering the 2011 model year with some subtle updates including the addition of LED daytime running lights and new equipment, as well as a Euro 5 compliant engine range. In the UK, it will be available to order from November 8 and in showrooms from January 2011, priced from £24,495 to £28,495. The cost to upgrade from the Espace to the long-wheelbase Grand Espace is £1,500.

Along with the LEDs, the 2011 Espace models benefit from the introduction of a new Pearl Blue color and freshly designed 17-inch Eptius and Novadis alloy wheels, while Renault also updated the MPV's interior with new trims and upholstery options, plus the addition of a new Carminat TomTom Live real-time satellite navigation system.

The full size MPV is available with two updated 2.0-liter dCi turbo diesels producing 150HP and 175HP, the latter mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The combined cycle CO2 emissions of the base dCi 150 engine has been reduced by 18g/km, from 188g/km to 170g/km, while versions with automatic transmission also get emissions savings, claiming 189g/km of CO2.

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2011 Honda Civic Type R Euro Launched in Japan, Limited to 1,500 Units

Honda has introduced a new model year version of its British-built Civic Type R Euro in Japan. The 2011MY batch will be the last of this model series to make its way to Japan as production of the current generation three-door Civic Type R has been terminated in Europe because its 2.0-litre VTEC engine does not meet the Euro V emissions regulations.

The Japanese automaker had imported 1,850 examples of the Civic Type R Euro from Britain in late 2009. This time, Honda will bring a total of 1,500 units of the 2011MY version of its high-revving hot hatch. The only changes over the previous model year are the addition of a new Crystal Black Pearl color, some trim updates such as the different finish of the fuel cap and a new numbered plaque.

In Japan, prices for the 2011MY Civic Type R Euro start from 3,000,000 Yen [including consumption tax] or about US$37,200.

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VIDEO: Toyota Land Cruiser and Hilux Pick-Up on ramp-duty

Having few things to do this weekend, I decided to crash a Toyota event. It was the 2010 Toyota Experience, which will eventually cover 17 Romanian cities and is meant to promote the Japanese manufacturer's European line-up, from the cute-and-cuddly iQ to the rough-and-tough Hilux truck and the more stylish Land Cruiser. Video after break.

Toyota chose a parking lot at a mall, very close to a main access road to the city, so that the ramp-activity could be seen by a lot of people. That's how we got there, after seeing a Hilux doing something that closely resembled rope dancing.

I'm not a fan of off-road driving, not because I don't like it, but because I'm bad at it. I managed to get a Range Rover stuck in 10 centimeters of water. Same outcome with a Defender... It seems I have that rare talent to get a vehicle stuck in a bucket of jam.

But there are drivers who make off-roading seem like it's the easiest thing in the world. Like the pilots in our video. Bear with us as the action gets more interesting after the 4 minute mark.

By Csaba Daradics

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