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European Parliament: electric cars must make noise

The European Parliament has voted in favour of a European Commission proposal to decrease the maximum allowed noise for new cars, vans, trucks, buses and coaches, in an effort to reduce “vehicle noise nuisance” by 25%. At the same time, the EU has voted in favour of a proposal to force carmakers to fit electric and hybrid electric vehicles with a sound generating device, to improve low speed safety for pedestrians and the visually impaired. On Bing: see pictures of electric cars Find out how much a used electric car costs on Auto Trader The proposed changes, which are expected to become law, would see new car noise levels reduced by four decibels, commercial vehicle noise levels reduced by three decibels.

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.

VW Beetle Turbo, Jetta GLI get power increase

Volkswagen's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is getting a 10-hp boost; the engine is now rated at 210 hp while torque remains unchanged at 207 lb-ft. The engine will be available on the Volkswagen Beetle Turbo coupe and convertible and the Jetta GLI sport sedan. VW claims the new engine shaves 0.2 seconds off the Beetle Turbo's 0-60 mph time, which is now estimated at 6.6 seconds.