Recent reports have surfaced that let us know MINI has finally selected a group of people to test drive and lease their MINI E all electric vehicle. The group is by no means big, only 40, but they do get off a bit better than us Americans by only having to pay around $640 while we are stuck paying $850.

MINI says MINI E lease shipments will be completed sometime before this holiday season with most of the vehicles being delivered to places like Oxford and London.

via autoexpress

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Daimler has today announced that their smart ed all electric vehicle is all set to enter production this November. The first production models are expected to hit dealerships sometime in early 2010.

If you’re not familiar with the smart ed, this vehicle features a lithium ion powered electric motor good for a range of 71 mph. Just because it’s such a small car doesn’t mean it has to be excruiatingly slow as the smart ed’s 30kW electric moter will make for a sprint from 0 to 60 km/h in 6.5 seconds. Not bad for such a car.

via Press

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Kia has recently detailed their intentions to bring hybrid vehicles to the UK within the next 3 years. Exactly what vehicles these will be, we have no idea, but let’s hope Kia comes up with something good.

Furthermore, Kia was also quoted to have said that they don’t believe hybrids will be around for much longer instead pointing towards hydrogen powered vehicles as the future:

Kia is committed to bringing a range of new technologies to UK consumers as soon as is viable. It will not be too long before we have hybrid vehicles but we see this as a step on the way to a fuel-cell powered future. This is the real answer to the problem of automotive pollution – even fully electric cars just push the pollution problem further up the chain to the generators. Hydrogen offers a real long-term solution to the challenge of individual mobility coupled with environmental sustainability.

We’ll keep you updated as Kia makes further statements.

via Autoblog

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Chevrolet’s Camaro has been a picture perfect example of American muscle ever since its first production model was conceived. But what would happen if you dropped American muscle smack dab in the middle of the UK? Chevy is looking to find out.

They have recently announced that not only has their 2010 Chevrolet Camaro completely sold out despite the economical climate, but that they will begin selling the Camaro in Europe sometime in the near future.

Unfortunately no prices have been announced but the car is currently priced at $23,040 for a V6 touting 2010 Camaro and $35,423 for the V8 touting SS Camaro. The same goes for release dates, no word yet.

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It seems that UK automaker Lightning Car Company has announced that, in addition to their recently announced Lightning GT, they will be launching 3 additional all-electric vehicles.

If you didn’t know, the Lightning GT is an all-electric vehicle with a 120,000 price tag, 0-60 mph sprint of 4 seconds and a range of 180 miles. It hasn’t hit the market yet but Lightning Car Company head honcho Ian Sanderson says that they have a smaller sportscar, SUV and a “high-end chauffer-driven car with electric power” in the works.

So yeah, none of us will be able to afford these, but thanks anyways Lightning Car Company.

Read (AutoBlogGreen)

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CLS Grand Edition

Mercedes-Benz has announced UK pricing for its limited production CLS Grand Edition offered with four powertrain options. Prices start at £48,445 for the diesel-powered CLS 350 V6 CDI with Mercedes saying that the special features and extra equipment result in £2,142 of added value for customers.

Only 560 units of the CLS Grand Edition will be coming to Britain, with first deliveries beginning in July. Customers have a choice of five colors on the CLS including Palladium Silver. Some of the standard features include leather upholstery, special trim details, a Bi-Xenon Light Package with Cornering Light Function and Active Light System.

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Peugeot 5008

The Peugeot 5008 is a multipurpose vehicle which is available in a five and seven seater models. Looking a bit like a longer version of the Peugeot 3008, this mid-sized vehicle combines comfort with styling and will makes it debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September. The seven seater car has three seats in the second row, two in the front and rear, all of which can be folded flat.

The car should be available for sale in the UK next year selling for £15,000. The car will also feature a choice of two engines which are120bhp and 156bhp and run on gasoline while three engines are from 110bhp to 163bhp and run on diesel.

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It seems that “the world’s cheapest car” is finally going to make its way to North American dealers, if the Indian automaker Tata Motors has anything to do with it, that is.

We’ve been hearing about the Tata Nano for some time now with intentions of a US debut dating back to March but a solid price point and release window were no where to be seen. Well, Ratan Tata, an exec from the company, has come forth and said the following regarding the Nano:

“It will need to meet all emission and crash standards and so we hope in the next two years we will be offering such a vehicle in the U.S,

But just how much will it cost? Well, according to CNN, the Nano is making its way to the UK in 2011 at a price point of about $2,300. This coupled with its 65 MPG fuel rating is sure to have some Americans drooling.

$2,300 for a brand new car? Count me in. But wait, how fast does it go?

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Range Rover In Front of Dealership

The owner of this Range Rover Sport HSE claims he has had nothing but problems with his £50,000 ($82,550) vehicle and took a dig at the automaker and the dealership in Colchester, Essex (UK) by parking his vehicle in front of the dealership with some unflattering remarks about the car. A note on the side of the Rover reads: “If you want trouble free motoring do not buy one of these!!!” while notes on the windows disclose the list of problems the owner faced, “Problems with . . . 6 front ball joints, 4 front arm bushes, new seat base, front and rear n/s [nearside] struts, full n/s suspension unit, anti-roll bar bushes, air con.”

Even though it is parked in front of the dealership, the staff is helpless in getting it removed because it is parked on a public road. The showroom has decided not to reveal the owner’s identity and as part of its “goodwill policy,” Land Rover has offered to help the owner “into a new vehicle.”

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MG TF

Under SAIC’s ownership, the line of British-built MG roadsters has been brought back to life, beginning with the currently-available TF LE-500, and before long to be joined by an updated version of the TF 135. Those familiar with MG’s UK operations will remember the TF 135 model name, and the vast majority of the car itself, from 2005, when MG was still MG Rover, before it was bought out by the Chinese.

The car returning to the British market is for the most part the same and will feature a 1.8L 16-valve K-series engine rated at 135hp (100kW). A different model, an 85th anniversary edition, will also be joining the TF lineup soon, getting an upgraded suspension treatment with Bilstein shocks, shorter springs, new anti-torsion elements and upgraded anti-roll bars.

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Chevrolet Matiz

While GM is struggling with possible bankruptcy, one of its brands, Chevrolet, has actually increased its sales in the UK. In April, sales increased by almost 18% despite the recession. The Aveo, the Matiz and the Captiva SUV have reported a hike in sales. With the British government’s policy of offering cash for scrap scheme, Chevrolet notices that people are trading in high end luxury brands for Chevrolet’s value.

The Matiz, for example, is available for only £4,295 to customers trading in a car more than 10 years old, making it one of the most inexpensive new cars in Britain. The company is also planning to introduce a new family sedan, the Cruze, in UK this summer.

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The Volkswagen Beetle and Mini Cooper have had a resurgence in popularity with the British people for their nostalgic associations as a cult status with hippies and surfers. They have regained ‘cool’ status and are among the top cars of choices for teenagers who have just passed their drivers tests. But the price tag of a new Beetle. for instance, can be prohibitive, particularly in this current harsh economic climate.

However, there are still plenty of Beetles amongst the many used Volkswagen cars on the market today, for just a fraction of the price of a new model. The key is knowing where to look. For those teenagers who dream of owning their own Beetle, a hunt through the used VW cars online, will return hundreds of results from across the country, complete with detailed info and images.

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Clio Renaultsport 200

The new Renault Clio RS 200 will be launched May 15 in the UK. This sporty little hatchback has 200 horsepower from a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine. Clio RenaultSport accelerates from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 6.9 seconds and has a top speed speed is 141 mph (226 km(h). In comparison to the standard Clio, the RS 200 is 30.5 mm wider to accommodate the wider front and rear tracks which have been extended by 48mm and 50mm while the wheelbase is broadened by 10 mm.

This new Clio Renaultsport 200 range is offered in two versions: Clio Renaultsport 200 Cup and Clio Renaultsport 200. The first one comes with a cup chassis and is more performance oriented, while the regular 200 is geared more towards comfort. New Clio RS 200 will be priced from £15,750 (17,540 euros).

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One of the first things that come to mind when thinking about getting one of those expensive electric vehicles are charging spots. Sure it’s great to have an electric car but where do we charge it? Are there enough parking spots for EVs in your country?

A company in the UK, Romag, has decided to build PowerParks which are basically simple parking stations equipped with solar cells which will get all the power you need to your electrical vehicle. Romag has started installing the parking spots in its UK headquarters but other regions in the UK will get them soon. If you live in the Middle East and the Far East, you should definitely consider getting an EV and parking spaces will be on their way.

via gearlog

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Yes you heard me right folks, the Russians are going to offer a local Top Gear version, but will it be as successful as the original? The American version hasn’t really been a big hit so far so it will be fun to see what the Russians make of the show. The show comes with a local Stig so with the right subtitles it might be fun to watch. Will it bring anything original to the table or will it try to copy the madness from the UK version?

via Final Gear

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