2011 RENAULT CLIO SUPERMINI
Renault dealers in France are offering discounts as high as 45 percent on some versions of the Clio supermini. This is because the Renault brand’s sales are down 35 percent since May 1 in France and this has forced local dealers to offer hefty discounts to customers on certain models. Renault admitted that the French car market remained on a downward trend.
Europe’s car market shrank for the third consecutive year, falling to 13.8 million vehicles in 2010 from 16 million in 2007, the last year in which it recorded a sales growth. Renault was one of the hardest hit carmakers in Europe in April recording a 13 percent drop in sales compared to last year with 105,799 units. In the same month, car sales in France declined by 11 percent, according to ACEA, the European automakers association.
2011 HONDA ACCORD V6 COUPE
The bulbous, yet rounded off nose, the ascending shoulderline and the large wheel wells soften the front overhang- a trait usually associated with front-wheel driven cars. The stance is wide and aggressive, while being sleek with a raked, sloping roofline a la shooting-brake. From nearly every angle, the new Honda Accord Coupe looks nothing but spectacular. What also should be noted is that there are minor exterior changes from the 2007-2010 models: the front and rear fascias were redone with the front featuring protruding foglights. The rear taillights were reworked to protrude outward to the sides and to be honest, the pre-facelifted models look a little more sleek. Also included are new five-spoke 18-inch rim.
Quite a bit of buttons on the center console in interior and all of them are clearly labeled, very easy to learn and well within reach.
The 2011 Honda Accord Coupe can be had with either a 190hp/162 lb-ft 2.4L DOHC 16v iVTEC four-banger or the top dog 3.5L SOHC 24v VTEC V6, which churns out a very impressive 271hp and 254 lb-ft of torque. Both can be mated to either a five-speed automatic or manual for the four-banger, and a five-speed auto and a six-speed close ratio manual for the V6. Power delivery is absolutely seamless and instantaneous with horsepower peaking at 6200RPM and 5000RPM for the torque.
As usual, the Accord is very well packaged with lots of standard equipment such as a six-disc in-dash changer with Bluetooth and auxiliary and USB connectivity, an upgraded radio with a XM capability and a rear-deck mounted subwoofer, driver and passenger two-mode heated seats, one-touch open and close windows all around, automatic headlights and a power-adjustable driver seat with two memory modes just to name a few.
Jom komen!