NEWS3 | MotorBar

Infiniti has just released
the first photographs of its
new compact diesel cross-
over, a dynamic all-wheel
driver with the power and
torque to take on anything
in its class...

THE EX30D FROM EUROPE'S NEWEST luxury automotive brand offers hushed high performance in league with lower CO2 emissions and fuel consumption thanks to a bespoke V6 diesel engine that fulfils every requirement of Infiniti's 'Inspired Performance' creed.

The piezo-injection 3.0-litre V6 delivers 235bhp with a class-best 406lb ft of torque. With standard 7-speed automatic transmission, the EX30d despatches 0-62 mph in just 7.9 seconds. But performance is defined more by the massive torque output — greater even than Infiniti's storming 5.0-litre petrol V8. With the pulling power peaking at just 1,750rpm, the EX30d is as effortless as it is muscular.

The EX has always faced its compact crossover rivals with several natural advantages — dashing coupé looks, dynamic handling, luxury equipment — but now the EX30d can meet them head-on in the fuel consumption and CO2 numbers game. The key figures (yet to be finally homologated) are 33.6mpg (combined) and 224g/km.

Infiniti's state-of-the-art V6 features a compacted graphite iron block for light weight with outstanding refinement. The diesel's cooling requirements dictated a change to airflow, hence the reprofiled front bumper with extra air intakes. Thankfully it is the only external change for a design hailed as the original coupé crossover as well as the best looking.

The EX30d will be the second model of the Infiniti range to get the new diesel V6 when UK sales begin in the summer, at prices to be announced. It is expected that, throughout Europe, eight out of every 10 EXs will be the new EX30d.

The EX30d will be available in three grades including a new Premium version with all of the class's most wanted features included as standard.

Infiniti's line-up of performance saloons, coupes, convertibles and crossovers is being launched across Europe through a dedicated network of Infiniti Centres which share a commitment to individualised and exceptional customer service. Infiniti's first Centre in the UK has now opened on the outskirts of Reading. For more information, check out Infiniti.

Larmer Tree Festival announces latest acts for 20th Birthday Bash —
Wednesday 14 to Sunday 18 July near Salisbury, on the Wiltshire/
Dorset border...

THE UK'S BEST-KEPT FESTIVAL secret Larmer Tree Festival has announced the latest acts for its highly-anticipated 20th birthday. As always, Larmer Tree Festival has struck a blissful balance between up-and-coming artists and legendary, world-renowned acts — with a touch of the all-out funky!

Representing music we all know and love is our very own British institution and all-round music maestro, Jools Holland with his famous Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. A staple on the Larmer Tree festival menu, Jools and his gang never fail to whip up the crowd with a belting mix of covers and originals. Expect noise, showmanship and a hootenanny to remember!

Joining Jools on stage as his very special guest will be the infallible Alison Moyet. This incredible joining of two iconic performers is not to be missed!

Larmer Tree Festival are also proud to announce that reggae Toots and the Maytals will be joining the stellar line-up. Headlining on Friday 16 July, the much-loved vocal group will add some Jamaican spice to the Larmer Tree Line-up.

Thursday's headline act will be the legendary Grammy Award-winning blues guitarist Robert Cray. With a career spanning over 30 years, Cray has shared the stage with the likes of Eric Clapton and B.B. King.

James Shephard, founder of Larmer Tree Festival said: "We are so proud to add Toots and the Maytals and Robert Cray to this year's line-up. Alison Moyet joining Jools on stage really is the icing on the cake. We truly are celebrating our 20th birthday with style!"

In the new music corner, sporting a laptop, effects unit and acoustic guitar, we have critically-acclaimed James Yuill. Yuill has set the blogosphere, gig circuit and industry tongues alight over the past 18 months with his unique electro folktronica sounds intermixed with his own inspired wordplay. Joining him in youthful gaiety will be the inimitable The Heavy, fresh from their extensive UK and European tour, and With Love from Humans! who have been widely touted as 'ones to watch' by many in the know, press and tastemakers including 6Music's Tom Robinson.

As always, Larmer Tree Festival 2010 will bring together the very best acts from around the world. Last seen supporting Blur on their Hyde Park reunion gigs, Chicago's sublime Hypnotic Brass Ensemble will set the stage alight with their own fusion of reggae, jazz and soul. Cementing the line-up will be Bangalore's Swarathma, whose unique folk/fusion has seen them tour the globe.

Other show-stopping names confirmed for the festival include Canadian Bluegrass act Grass Mountain Hobos, recent Billy Bragg tour-mate Otis Gibbs and young, innovative DJ F-Fever.

Tickets for all five days are priced at just £184 for adults, £152 for 11-17 year olds and £124 for 5-10 year olds, with entrance for under fives free of charge. Various ticketing options are available for those wishing to attend selected days of the festival. Tickets are available now from larmertreefestival.

More acts will be announced shortly adding to the cream of talent already confirmed for this landmark celebration. Not content with offering the most diverse range of incredible musical talents, Larmer Tree Festival also features hilarious comedy, innovative street theatre, interactive workshops for all ages and much, much more, so book now to avoid disappointment!

Full line-up so far — Toots and the Maytals, Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra with special guest Alison Moyet, Robert Cray, Oysterband, The Unthanks, Tunng, Shooglenifty, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, The Bad Shepherds, Chumbawamba, Dub Pistols, James Yuill, The Heavy, The Bookhouse Boys, Chris Wood, Otis Gibbs, Grass Mountain Hobos, Goldheart Assembly, Skip 'Little Axe' McDonald, Swarathma, The Urban Voodoo Machine, John Smith, Billy Vincent, The Penny Black Remedy, Roots Union, Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo, Dizraeli and the Small Gods, Wheeler Street, Jonny Kearney and Lucy Farrell, The Cubical, Rita Hosking, The Voluntary Butler Scheme, Sweet Baboo, Mik Artistik's Ego Trip, Dr Butler's Hatstand Medicine Band, Kill it Kid, Alex Roberts, 4Square, With Love From Humans! and F-Fever.

Check out larmertreefestival.

Self-catering in Burgundy: Have It Your Way...

ARRIVE AT AIRPORT two hours before departure, pay £10 per kilo excess baggage for each item over 20kg, get charged £5 for a thimble-full of wine on the plane, notify of late hotel check-in or face losing the room, check-out of the hotel by 12pm or incur an extra charge, breakfast only served between 7.30am and 9.30am, pay €10 an hour for in-room plug-and-play internet… Doesn't sound much like a break? With Location Burgundy you can have your holiday your way.

Headed-up by husband and wife team, David and Su Bishop, Location Burgundy has been providing luxurious self-catering accommodation at the heart of the wine villages of Côte d'Or for the best part of a decade. All Location Burgundy homes exude character, offer flexibility in terms of length of stay and provide a perfect base for exploring this key wine region.

Pommard Francorchamps apartment

Su comments: "Size, affordability and freedom are the keys to self-catering success. A hotel room not only has restrictions on schedules for everything from meal times to departure times, but they can be pricey and at the end of the day a room is just a room. No separate lounge, kitchen or garden to call your own. With a Location Burgundy home you can relax, entertain, dine, work and sleep in different parts of the property and pack the children safely off to bed while your evening continues. An equipped kitchen allows the flexibility of eating-in thus saving money and releasing yourself from strict timetables. It's as close to home as you can get."

Rack rates for four-star hotels in prosperous Beaune vary from 130 euros up to 270 euros-plus per room per night. Meanwhile an entire one bedroom apartment with Location Burgundy starts from as little as 90 euros per night and you get a whole lot more for your money. All Location Burgundy rental properties are equipped with UK and French satellite television, DVD/CD player, heating, washing machine, microwave, dishwasher, free Wi-Fi and a welcome pack of groceries to include basics such as milk, coffee, fruit juice and cereal. Everyday essentials from hand soap to bed linen and towels are provided.

A none-too-arduous five-hour drive south-east from Calais, Burgundy is the epitome of romantic peaceful countryside. Running through the heart of the region is the Côte d'Or, a narrow escarpment snaking from Dijon to Beaune, home to tight clusters of irresistible stone villages. Vineyards roll as far as the eye can see — over 28,000 hectares producing 192 million bottles of wine each year. From Meursault to Chablis, Pouilly-Fuissé to Corton-Charlemagne, there are many flavours to savour.

Take your car and venture beyond the picturesque wine villages to explore the Burgundy of the travel books with its great Abbeys and majestic chateaux, Romanesque churches and nostalgic arched bridges. The region has over 1,200km of navigable waterways (including France's oldest working canal) lined with poplars and lilacs. Landlubbers can cycle or stroll along the picturesque canal paths; meanwhile golfers can swing their clubs in the region's 20 or so golf courses, some in the grounds of grand chateaux.

If the car doesn't appeal, nearest big city Lyon is home to France's fourth-busiest airport served by BMI, BA and EasyJet to the UK whilst also being on the high-speed TGV route — as is Dijon, a 20-minute drive from Beaune.

Prices for a two-bedroom apartment in a converted 18th century wine-maker's house at the heart of Pommard (3km from Beaune) start from 450 euros for three nights based on four people sharing in low season (1 October-31 May). Prices for a one-bedroom apartment in a converted 19th century home in Cissey (5km from Beaune) start from 270 euros for three nights based on two people sharing in low season. The four Cissey apartments share a communal heated swimming pool.

Check out Location Burgundy or email enquiries@locationburgundy.com.

home | top of page