Friday 13th October 2006

French carmakers add GT moniker

Sprinkling fairy dust over quotidien models

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France's two big carmakers are giving two of their models a sporty make-over -- though without adding any more power. Benefiting from the nip and tuck are the Renault Mégane and the Peugeot 407.

Renault Mégane GT

Renault Megane GT

Renault's cut its Mégane range into ever-finer slices the launch of a new GT range that fits between the standard and Renaultsport versions.

The company reckons that some customers "may not require the complete performance package of a Mégane Renaultsport yet still hanker after a more dynamic drive and sportier looks". If you fit the bill, Renault says its new three- and five-door GT range offers both "without a hefty price tag". Prices start at £16,170 for the Sport Hatch GT 2.0 Turbo 165.

The GT range was first introduced by Renault on the Laguna range last year and this is a similar make-over. Sportiness is the theme. The GT gets a sport bodykit with front, side and rear spoilers, plus twin chrome sports exhaust and 10mm lower and stiffened suspension, along with a chrome effect front grille and prominent honeycomb-style air dam. At the rear, a GT badge appears on the chrome effect plate between the twin exhaust pipes.

Inside, front sport seats, leather sport steering wheel and silver/grey seat belts are standard. Other standard kit includes 17-inch Jarsalle alloys, automatic headlamps and windscreen wipers, electric heated door mirrors, electric front and rear windows, ESP with ASR traction and CSV understeer control.

Power comes via either the 2.0 Turbo 165 engine or the latest Renault-Nissan Alliance developed diesel engine – the 2.0 dCi 150, both of which are now reserved only for the GT range and the top-of-the-range Hatch Privilège.

The two-litre turbo 165hp petrol dispatches 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds before going onto a top speed of 137mph, with fuel economy of 36.7mpg on a combined cycle. The 2.0 dCi 150 6-speed delivers maximum torque of 251lb-ft@2000rpm, 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds, top speed of 130mph and 51.4mpg.

The new Mégane GT range costs £16,170 and £16,670 for the 2.0 Turbo 165 versions of Sport Hatch and Hatch, or £17,170 and £17,670 for the 2.0 dCi 150 6-speed versions. Insurance groups for the new models are 10 for the 2.0 dCi 150 and 12 for the 2.0T 165, with CO 2 emissions of 146 and 184g/km and benefit-in-kind classifications of 18 per cent for the diesel and 23 per cent for the petrol.

Peugeot 407 GT

Peugeot 407 GT

And the Peugeot 407 gets  a new GT model too -- though this boils down to a bit of bodykit and some interior trim.

Executive models are now replaced by the new GT designation, and are distinguished with a choice of black or red leather interiors and RT3 colour satnav as standard. The twin-turbo HDi 170 engine, currently only available in Sport trim, is now also specified in GT trim, while the HDi V6 is now available in Sport and GT trim, in Saloon and SW bodystyles.

Sport and GT models are also distinguished externally with body colour coordinated bumper and side protection mouldings, complemented with chrome finishers.

All models in the range come with a Satin Argenté silver centre console and white instrument dials. S models also feature a new RD4 radio/CD/MP3 player, and a three-spoke leather steering wheel. SE models fitted with the HDi 110 diesel engine get Hortaz 16-inch alloy wheel design, while Sport models now feature Zino cloth/Mistral Black half leather seat upholstery. Dashboard and door inserts feature an appealing ‘chrome squares’ design.

The 407 range starts with Saloon S at £15,700 to SW GT HDi V6 at £27,145.

[oagent]

From google Answers :-
"'GTO' and 'GT' are European racing classifications. The Italian term, 'Gran Turismo Omologato', means Grand Touring class production vehicle, homologated for racing. The name came to mean a large, high-performance sports car comfortable enough for long trips or 'touring', as opposed to the smaller, less comfortable 2-seater 'true' sports cars. "

Examples include :
Ferrari 250 GT Lusso
Iso Griffo
Maserati Ghibli
Maserati Khamsin
Ferrari Daytona
Jaguar E-type
Jaguar XJS
All Aston's
Bently Continental's
Ferrari 550 / 575's
etc.

Note: all large engined (with the exception of the 250 GT) 2 seater, 2 door, RWD, front engined, high performance cars.

Not sure that the 2 cars in this thread really conform to the GT moniker.

[wiz 1]

Havn't VW just brought out a Golf GT ?

[Philbes]

You are at least 40 years too late in complaining about the mis-use of the term 'GT'. Cortina GT in the 1960's?

[bigjimmy]

Why are there so many stories about new editions of the Megan on this site?

[sad61t]

Well, at least Renault have made more than a gesture at the GT badge by making suspension tweaks and including reasonably powerful engines (OK, so not quite the E-Type's 250bhp but 150 is adequate for most roads today). The drive should be more involving than the more comfort tuned standard models, but still be accessible for the insurance challenged.

The less said about Peugeot's effort the better...

[alextgreen]

bigjimmy said:

Why are there so many stories about new editions of the Megan on this site?

Advertorials do not a good car make. Irritating Mazda/Prodrive drivel in Evo anyone?

[lap_time]

Wow, upon reading this story, I became so overwhelmed with excitement, I almost fell out of my chair. That's too much excitement for one day, I must go have a lie-down.




...Phewph, all that sarcasm can't be healthy for one's self!!!