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BMW and Merc to join forces

By Georg Kacher Motor Industry 08 February 2008 13:03 CAR Online today reveals the extent to which BMW and Mercedes are plotting to cooperate on future models. In a wide-ranging plan, the two German premium marques could join forces to take on the might of Audi, with its backing and economies of scale of the whole Volkswagen group and, increasingly, Porsche. BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer and his counterpart at Daimler, Dieter Zetsche, are coming to the conclusion that the two brands – for so long, fierce rivals – should work together rather than fight against each other.

RenaultSport Clio 200: Paris 2012

Renault has unveiled the Clio RenaultSport 200 at the Paris Motor Show with a 1.6 litre turbo engine delivering 200bhp. The latest version of the Clio RS forgoes its naturally aspirated 2.0 litre engine for a turbo 1.6 litre delivering the same 200bhp but more torque – up more than 10 per cent. What dropping the 1.6 turbo has done to the Clio is make it more economical – Renault say it is 25 per cent more fuel efficient and, obviously, emissions drop comparably.

New Lexus GS 300h costs from £31,440

The New Lexus GS 300h (pictured) will cost from £31,440 in the UK Lexus revealed a second hybrid version of the GS at Shanghai in the spring – the Lexus GS 300h – which offers better economy and lower running costs, especially for company car drivers, and it’s now on sale in the UK. Lexus has introduced a new entry-level SE spec for the GS 300h to make its headline price even more attractive, but the GS 300h SE still gets 17″ alloys, DAB, DVD, Cruise, push-button start, parking sensors, xenons and electric, heated front seats. Other trim levels are Luxury, F Sport and Premier – as on the rest of the GS range – which you’ll need to dig in to if you want stuff like leather and SatNav, but opting for the base trim isn’t too hairshirt and will save you a few bob if you have BIK to pay.