Renault has re-launched its popular Espace model for 2011 with styling revisions, greater performing car parts and a lower price.

With savings up to £3,005 available the new cars will claim prices starting a £24,495 to the highest level of £28,495 for Grand Espace versions.

Renault has boasted more than 1.2 million sales of the Espace range in the last 26 years and aims to continue its success with new car parts and revised diesel engines.

The main improvements include LED lights and a complimentary fitted Carminat TomTom Live satellite navigation.

CO2 emissions in the core range dCi 150 engines have been slashed by 18g/km from 188 to 170g/km due to combating friction work and carefully-selected gear ratios.

Inside the motors is a modernised interior with features including sport-style upholstery, and extra side support with Teflon protection and new gloss black interior trim.

The range is available in seven body colours including a new Pearl Blue while the wheels also got a makeover with 17 inch Eptius and Novadis alloy wheels.

The two-litre dCi diesel engine is available in a choice of two power outputs either dCi 150 or dCi 175 with the latter mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Eager motorists keen to purchase a model from the Espace range can place an order from 8^th November as the motors are to be in showrooms across the country from January 2011.

Renault Car Parts

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A Renault advert for one of its electric cars has been banned in the UK after the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) found it was "likely to mislead".

The advert said the Renault Fluence Z.E. would produce 90 per cent less emissions than a diesel model, but it used French electricity figures.

One reader complained to the ASA, noting that the French electricity generation mix emitted less C02 than that produced in the UK.

Despite the car manufacturer rejecting the claim, the ASA upheld the complaint and has now banned the advert from appearing in its current form in this country, though it can still appear in France.

"Because the figure was not representative of CO2 savings typically available in the UK, we concluded that the ad was likely to mislead," the ASA said.

Renault said the Fluence Z.E. is a statement of its intention to produce a ranger of zero-emission vehicles that meet needs of all types of customer.

A Renault advert for one of its electric cars has been banned in the UK after the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) found it was "likely to mislead".

The advert said the Renault Fluence Z.E. would produce 90 per cent less emissions than a diesel model, but it used French electricity figures.

One reader complained to the ASA, noting that the French electricity generation mix emitted less C02 than that produced in the UK.

Despite the car manufacturer rejecting the claim, the ASA upheld the complaint and has now banned the advert from appearing in its current form in this country, though it can still appear in France.

"Because the figure was not representative of CO2 savings typically available in the UK, we concluded that the ad was likely to mislead," the ASA said.

Renault said the Fluence Z.E. is a statement of its intention to produce a ranger of zero-emission vehicles that meet needs of all types of customer.

A growing number of drivers are choosing to service their cars themselves, despite not having the necessary skills.

A new study by Kwik-Fit highlighted that over a third (35 per cent) of car owners now carry out their own services, despite the fact that 69 per cent of drivers are not confident about doing so.

The research also found that there are a rising number of cars going un-serviced, with 2.5 million fewer cars being serviced at a garage in the past 12 months compared with the previous year, as drivers seek to cut costs.

"Car owners shouldn’t rely on the MoT to pick up faults as this mainly focuses on safety factors. A proper service will highlight issues which could cause a future breakdown and also cover areas too complicated for most DIY mechanics, such as timing belt replacement," commented David White, customer services director at Kwik-Fit.

He added that while the tough economic climate has led to motorists wanting to cut costs, missing a service can cost more in the long run if things go wrong.

Recent research by fast.MAP, on behalf of MyTyres.co.uk found that less than 50 per cent of motorists have checked the tread depth of their tyres in the last month.

Fiat has announced a new project aimed at celebrating the production of 500,000 of its Fiat 500 city cars.

It will create a special showcar, the Fiat 500 Thousandth, which will be covered by 1,500 photos of Fiat 500 customers, celebrities and fans.

People are able to ‘book’ a place on the car via the Fiat500.com website, with 70 per cent of the spaces on the car being reserved for Fiat customers.

In addition to their pictures, people can attach a small message describing their relationship with their vehicle or a link to a YouTube video or Facebook message.

"The Fiat 500 Thousandth will be the first ‘collective car’, a further confirmation of the spirit of the original model with potential customers being involved from the earliest stages of design," the firm commented.

Once the car is complete, it will feature at a number of upcoming events and international motor shows.

The 500,000th Fiat 500 was a 69 HP 1.2 litre version with Start&Stop, finished in Funk White and was built at the firm’s Fiat Auto plant in Tychy, Poland.

Renault and Electronic Arts have announced a deal that will see the car manufacturer’s electric vehicles appear in a computer game.

The Sims is one of the most popular games in the world, and under the multi-year agreement, players will be able to download Renault’s Twizy Z.E. Concept car to play around with in the virtual world of The Sims 3.

Perks within the game, which sees players take control of a simulated person, known as a Sim, include positive repercussions for a player’s in-game family as their virtual household bills will fall.

"Electric vehicles are additionally going to appeal to younger, more socially conscious prospects and especially early adopters. This is the heartland of The Sims community", said Stephen Norman, senior vice president of global marketing for the Renault Group.

The French manufacturers recorded the largest market share gain in total car, van and fleet sector sales in March this year.

Renault is now offering its fully integrated satellite navigation system on six of its models, across four trim levels, reports Carpages.co.uk.

The Renault Carminat TomTom is to be included on the Renault Clio, Kangoo, Megan, Scenic and Laguna ranges, as standard on the Dynamique, Dynamique S, Privilege and Initiale trim levels.

With 50 countries mapped, the new and improved system now includes IQ Routes technology, Advanced Lane Guidance and Map Share.

These features allow drivers to follow the best routes, with the system taking real-world traffic flow speeds and the time of day into account.

Further improvements are being applied in addition to the integrated TomTom; the Dynamique trim level of the Clio now comes with cruise control and speed limiter as standard.

The introduction of the satnav was named by the most significant motoring moment of the previous decade by Carsite.co.uk. Satnav systems are even available on mobile phones now.

One well-known car manufacturer has been doing more than selling Renault parts recently, after scooping a ‘top’ BBC award.

The BBC’s Top Gear magazine recently voted Renaultsport as the Manufacturer of the Year.

Conor McNicholas, editor of the magazine, said: "Renaultsport has been impressing us for years but 2009 was the year where the whole project hit a new sweet spot [with] Twingo, Clio and Megane all out in hot form."

Renault’s 2009 Renaultsport range features the Twingo Renaultsport 133, Clio Renaultsport 200 and the Megane Renaultsport 250.

The company said it was "honoured" to be given the award as it considers Top Gear and Renault to share common values, including being professional, enthusiastic and accessible whilst also having a well-developed sense of fun.

For those fans of the Top Gear show featuring favourites Richard Hammond and Jeremy Clarkson, the programme will air this Sunday from 20:30 GMT.

A well-known car manufacturer is set to make a return to Knockhill for 2010.

The Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship and the ELF Renault Clio Cup with Michelin will rejoin the racing circuit.

Andrew Kirkaldy, 2002 Clio Cup vice-champion who runs the Formula Renault UK team, said: "It’s good to be returning to the circuit after so long as it’s a great track and is always well attended by the fans which adds to the atmosphere."

He added that a better view of the track is now available since he last raced there, meaning a view of the race is more or less possible from anywhere.

Formula Renault UK is thought to be the best single-seater championship in the country, responsible for thrusting into the limelight drivers such as Lewis Hamilton.

Next season Renault UK will introduce a new motor with a greater powered engine, seven-speed sequential gearbox and lighter chassis.

September 4th and 5th marks the dates that Renault motors are set to make their return to Knockhill.

The Renault F1 Team young driver tests started yesterday (December 1st) in Jerez, Spain, including drivers Ho-Pin Tung, Lucas Di Grassi and Bertrand Baguette.

A new driving experience is currently on offer from one car manufacturer.

It has come about as result of Silverstone and Renaultsport joining forces to create a new teen driving scheme.

Called Rookie Drive, the teenagers can get their hands on the wheel of a Clio Renaultsport 200 Cup for training costing £45.

Not only that, but advice will be on hand from instructors from Silverstone.

It is open to those 13-years-old and over in order to give them their first road experiences in a controlled domain.

Richard Phillips, managing director of Silverstone Circuits, commented on what prospective candidates signing up for the training can expect.

He said: "They will learn skills that will give them a head-start as well as being a fun experience and they’ll certainly have that in the new Clio Renaultsport 200 Cup."

All the young drivers who take part in the scheme will take away a certificate, as well as the memories of the day.

The latest offering of the Clio Renaultsport is said to build on the 197 version’s qualities.