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FreeSat TV service goes live across the UK

Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 by admin

We knew it was coming, and after waiting for quite some time for FreeSat to go from concept to reality, television viewers across the UK can finally indulge. If you’ll recall, a recent survey found that just 5-percent of Europe’s HDTV owners actually bothered to tune into HD programming, but now that number is likely to change. Effective today, 98-percent of the UK can fork out a one-time fee of £49 ($96) to £120 ($234) in order to acquire a FreeSat set-top-box, and after an £80 ($156) installation, users will have subscription-free access to BBC HD, ITV HD (coming soon), Channel 4’s digital service and around 70 other TV / radio channels. Better still, that number is slated to rise to 200 before the year’s end, and unsurprisingly, the launch is expected to boost available high-def offerings in the region. Anyone across the pond have their equipment set up already? How’s the service?

[Thanks, Ivan]

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Dragonslayer: Renault rolls out the Twingo Extreme

Friday, April 25th, 2008 by admin

england, france, hatchback, renault, twingo, twingo extreme, TwingoExtreme, uk

The Twingo still won’t take you to mythical Silene, but the UK gets its own specially pimped version of the entry-level Twingo called the “Extreme.” Think of it as a Tercel Blackhawk en français, s’il vous plaît. The Twingo Extreme consists of mostly graphics for the exterior, though there’s a few extra bits of gear thrown in, too.

Power is provided by a 1.2-liter engine, and Renault throws in specially trimmed wheels, a tachometer, and foglights. Soccer Football fans will undoubtedly choose the flag of St. George graphics for the exterior, and there’s also Union Jacks for the door handles and stripes or checkered flags can adorn the outside, too, all for a modest price. MINI has already shown that customization at the dealer level is a popular activity, and we hope that the rest of the driving public soon becomes as smitten with small hatchy-things as we are. If we create enough clamor, they might send us a Jerry Lewis edition or something.

Press release after the jump

[Source: Renault]
PRESS RELEASE:

New entry-level Twingo Extreme on sale now
Renault’s feisty and practical small car now even more accessible priced at £7,500
Available with petrol 1.2 60hp engine
New model is part of Renault’s eco² line up achieving low emissions of just 132 g/km
In UK showrooms from mid-February 2008
Renault’s heritage in producing funky, stylish and practical small cars is evident in its Clio and Modus models, a line-up that was significantly enhanced with the introduction of New Twingo, which debuted last year for the first time in right-hand drive in the UK.

Demand for New Twingo has increased considerably since its launch, with the Dynamique and GT trims – the versions available in the UK – proving especially popular throughout Europe. Now, Renault’s small car success is set to grow even further with the launch of a new entry-level Twingo Extreme 1.2 60, priced at £7,500 and beats some of its closest competitors on value, coming in at £400 less than the entry-level Fiat 500.

Extreme captures Twingo spirit

The Twingo Extreme still retains the sporty and stylish good looks featured on the Dynamique trim, plus all the practicality and interior space for four occupants and their belongings to travel in comfort, as well as a list of standard equipment befitting a more expensive car - all at a value-for-money price.

Peace of mind is also assured with safety and technological innovations featuring just as strongly in the entry-level Extreme as they do in the range-topping GT. Features such as ABS with EBD (electronic Brake Distribution), driver and front passenger lateral airbags and brake assist, are all standard on the Extreme.

Music and connectivity is key to the spirit of New Twingo and advances in technology have been incorporated fully into its development with the option of integrated Bluetooth hands-free telephone system as well as a ‘TunePoint’ (anchorage connection point concealed in the glove box) for MP3 players so you can easily transfer your music from your pocket to your Twingo.

‘Extreme-ly’ impressive standard equipment

Twingo Extreme still beats many key rivals such as the Citroen C2 in terms of its impressive list of standard equipment.

As well as the core features available on all versions such as remote central-locking with dead-locking and anti-drill door locks and insurance-approved engine immobiliser, Twingo Extreme also has the following standard equipment:

Sports body styling, black internally adjustable door mirrors, fixed on-piece folding rear seat, 2 X 15W RDS radio CD with fingertip control, front fog lights, electric front windows, rev counter and 14″ ‘Fidji’ wheel trims.

Options include the opportunity to put your own individual stamp on your Twingo, with a wide range of personalisation exterior decals available. This includes a chance for customers to show off their patriotism with decals such as Union Jack door handle graphics (£45) and wing badges (£15), or Cross of St. George wing badges (£15). Customers can also enhance the sporty look of their Twingo Extreme with white or black racing stripes (£80) or chequered flag door graphics (£80).

Twingo = eco²
Renault’s ‘eco²’ initiative focuses on the full lifecycle of its vehicles from design right through to eventual recycling. Each ‘eco²’ vehicle must meet three strict criteria in terms of manufacturing, emissions (being 140 g/km or lower) and recycling.

New Twingo Extreme is an eco² vehicle and beneath its sporty exterior lurks a breath of fresh air for the environment with a frugal, economical and ecological engine in the 1.2 60.
It offers an impressive fuel economy with a combined consumption of 50.4 mpg and low emissions of just 132 g/km.

Twingo Extreme on sale now

New Twingo Extreme is on sale now with the 1.2 60 petrol engine, priced at £7,500.

The insurance group for Twingo Extreme is yet to be announced, but is expected to be competitive.

Customers can find out more information by visiting their nearest Renault dealer or by logging on to www.renault.co.uk.

UK’s Birmingham University gets hydrogen filling station

Friday, April 18th, 2008 by admin

fcx_clarity_120-450.jpg

 

Birmingham University is now home to Britain’s first hydrogen filling station, part of a dozen planned to be installed by 2010. So far there are only a handful of hydrogen-fueled cars in the country but the university will be using this station to support ongoing research into hydrogen vehicles. Although Honda hasn’t yet indicated any plans to offer the new FCX Clarity in the UK, Transport for London is pushing hard to get more stations opened in the area of the capital next year. If that happens, Honda may reconsider and offer the right hand drive Japanese version of the Clarity in Britain.

[Source: AutoCar]