Renault Captur

Unveiled in February 2011, Captur is the new concept car embodying Renault’s new design strategy. A sporty crossover with a flowing and athletic body language, it conjures up visions of two people exploring the world and previews a forthcoming road car. Its Energy dCi 160 twin-turbo engine-concept combines fun driving, enjoyable performance and low CO2 emissions.

Little of what makes up the interior will ever follow through to a production model, but the spacious feel and high driving position reveal why Renault is so keen to introduce a car into this segment. The Captur features a futuristic sat-nav, called VisioDrive. This projects navigation information on to real-life pictures of the road ahead, transmitted to the cabin by forward-facing cameras.

In addition, the newcomer boasts a hi-tech powertrain – or at least, it should! Renault envisages the Captur will eventually feature a twin-turbocharged 158bhp 1.6-litre dCi engine. We have tried the 128bhp single-turbo version of this motor, and with a broad range of torque and smooth running, it will be perfect for cars of this size.

Officially, the firm claims the Captur will be able to cover 0-62mph in eight seconds while emitting only 99g/km of CO2. And although the car is front-wheel drive only, Renault’s innovative RX2 system – which can apportion power to either of the driven wheels if one loses grip – should help with off-roading.

From behind the wheel, the Captur feels like a one-off concept. A lack of sound deadening means a huge amount of engine noise, while the suspension is very firm. But none of this matters, as it has no bearing on how the final car will handle.

World's Expensive RV

The world's most expensive motorhome is up for sale - with a price tag of £1.9million. Austrian company Marchi Mobile is behind the 40ft long palace on wheels, called the eleMMent palazzo, which comes complete with a pop-up roof terrace measuring 215 sq ft, underfloor heating and a bar.

The space-age vehicle has a huge master bedroom with 40-inch TV, an en suite bathroom, rainfall shower, separate toilet, lounge and driver's cab complete with bunk bed.

The Marchi Mobile EleMMent Palazzo is the world's most expensive motorhome, up for sale with a price tag of £1.9m.

The spacious leather-trimmed interior is finished to the highest specifications.

The EleMMent can be fitted with mobile internet, a working fireplace, streaming video surveillance and satellite TV, and boasts a glow-in-the-dark finish to improve night safety. But the most impressive touch is the machine's 'sky lounge' which opens at the touch of a button and features underfloor heating and a bar.

Marchi Mobile says the 510bhp engine will give the 20 tonne EleMMent palazzo a top speed of 93mph while being capable of a relatively high 13mpg, its efficiency for such a heavy vehicle partly down to its aerodynamic design.

The immaculate design of the motorhome includes a spacious lounge, master bedroom with en suite and rainfall shower and a lavish pop-up roof terrace.

The firm say the high end vehicle would suit rock stars or Formula One drivers looking for a luxury tour bus.

It will set the buyer back £1.9million and boast an area which expands to 430 sq ft, making it twice as expensive per square foot as the most lavish properties in London's exclusive Hampstead postcode.

And if you think that's eye-watering enough, brace yourselves, because that's just the starting price.

A source at the company admits the sky is the limit where the luxury vehicle is concerned and, if so requested, they'd be more than happy to cover it in diamonds.

No expense has been spared on fitting out the show model, with full-size bathroom and bedroom making for a comfortable living experience.

The vehicle has a pop-out living area to provide 80 per cent more space.

The vehicle is the first in the world to offer glow-in-the-dark paint.

About the Engine

510bhp engine giving the 20 tonne eleMMent palazzo a top speed of 93mph.

Reduced fuel consumption of up to 20 per cent thanks to trendsetting aerodynamics, thus creating economic and ecologic harmony. Despite its eco-friendly values (relatively speaking, taking into account the palazzo is a large vehicle), the eleMMent is truly sportive with its 510 bhp, unique carbon-fibre rear diffuser and double tube sport exhaust. Higher safety rating than regular heavy vehicles due to the high compound strength of the glass fiber plastic cabin and the elevated seating position.Pop-up bar with underfloor heating and party lightingMaster bedroom with 40in flatscreen television and en suite with rainfall showerGlow-in-the-dark paint to improve night safetyAll mod cons, including video surveillance, mobile internet and a working fireplace its feet.

DC Avanti India's 1st SuperCar

India's automotive industry has been making some interesting power moves of late. It's already delivered the world's cheapest car, the Tata Nano, given the world a fantastic new Formula 1 circuit in Delhi and now it's busted out its its very first supercar.

With the Avanti, DC Design aims at going the way of reknown Italian coachbuilders such as Bertone, Ghia and Pininfarina, which not only used to design and engineer their own cars, but also produced them in limited series.

Defined as the first Indian sportscar, the Avanti was designed by * Dilip Chhabria*, founder and chief of DC Design.

The structural basis of the Avanti is an aluminum tubular space frame with a mix of square, rectangular and round sections. The frame is coupled with fiberglass body panels.

The design is characterized by original proportions and an elaborated sufìrface treatment, with a low-slung silhouette, a tapered rear end framed by the large C-pillars elements and a front end with angular headlights that showcases some resemblances with the Ferrari 458 Italia.

According to the first information, the Avanti could be powered by a tuned Ford EcoBoost 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with VVT (variable valve timing), capable of 240 hp and 366 Nm and coupled with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Dilip Chhabria commented: “We intend to produce 300 units of the Avanti in 2013-2014 and if all goes well we could ramp up production to go into four figures per annum.”

DC Avanti – Dimensions

Wheelbase – 2700 mm

Length – 4623 mm

Width – 1967 mm

Height – 1213 mm

Front Over hang – 993 mm

Rear Over hang – 930 mm

Ground clearance – 155 mm

Dry kerb weight – 1562 kg

The DC Avanti is set to be relatively affordable when it's released in 2013, with prices starting at around £36,000.