Car 6

An over-the-air software upgrade for the Jaguar I-Pace electric SUV will see owners getting an extra 20kms of range, writes Brian Byrne . The software optimises battery management and vehicle cooling systems and the AWD system. The company says it developed the improvements through experience in the I-Pace eTrophy racing series launched last year.

Toyota dealers from across Ireland gathered in Dublin in early December for the annual Toyota Dealer of the Year Awards, writes Trish Whelan .   The Awards recognise the excellence achieved by Toyota Dealers and their staff. This year Toyota Ireland introduced the Toyota Financial Services Dealer of the Year Award to reward the excellent service that has been provided since 2017. Seven awards were presented on the night to five Toyota dealers for their achievements in sales, aftersales and financial services across a variety of categories. The top prize, Toyota Dealer of the Year is presented to the dealer who achieves the best overall performance across a wide range of areas, including sales and aftersales.   This year, it was awarded to Toyota Liffey Valley which received a cheque for €5,000 which will be used to reward the staff for their achievement. Toyota Accessory Sales Dealer of the Year 2019 went to Grandon Car Sales in Cork; the Toyota...

Renault’s All-New Captur SUV has been awarded the maximum 5-star Euro NCAP safety test rating, writes Trish Whelan . Based on the new modular platform of the CMF-B Alliance, the New Captur joins the New Clio (also 5 stars) on the list of the safest vehicles. It benefits from an optimised body structure, revised seat structures and seat belt fasteners designed to provide optimal support for all occupants with pyrotechnic pre-tensions and force limiters. New features include the option of a 360-deg camera and active emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection, which are both firsts in the Renault range. The highlight is the Highway & Traffic Jam Companion which is rare in the small SUV class and provides significantly improved comfort and tranquility when driving. This advanced driver assistance system constitutes a first step towards autonomous vehicles. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) available on the New Captur include Driving, Par...

Adams of Glin, Main Peugeot Dealer for Co Limerick, has been presented with a Peugeot lifetime achievement award in recognition of 50 years with the Peugeot franchise, writes Trish Whelan . The presentation was made to father and son, Sean and Shane Adams, at a black-tie event to mark Gowan Distributors (Peugeot Importer in Ireland) 50 years in business. Held at the Intercontinental Hotel Dublin on 30 November, the celebrations were attended by 222 staff, shareholders, the Smith-Maughan family and board members, representatives from the PSA Group from Paris and the Peugeot Dealer Network of Ireland. Des Cannon, Managing Direction, Peugeot Ireland said: “On the occasion of our 50th anniversary, it has given me great pleasure to see Adams of Glin presented with this lifetime achievement award to mark the 50 years we have shared together as partners. Gowan Distributors has thrived for half a century, thanks to the loyalty, tenacity and passion of our Dealer partner...

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles are celebrating the success for their Crafter van on a number of fronts, at home and abroad, writes Trish Whelan . In Poland where the Crafter is produced alongside its MAN TGE sibling, the plant has just produced its 200,000th vehicle since the autumn of 2016. Here at home, the sales of the Crafter have increased by 84 per cent compared to the same period in 2018. Since September 2018, the Wrzesnia plant in Poland where Crafter is produced has been running three shifts per day with daily production of 420 vehicles. Volkswagen Crafter Alan Bateson, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles says he isn’t surprised by the success of the new model which is offered with two different wheelbases, three lengths, three roof heights; with front-, rear, or all-wheel drive; as well as an endless number of conversion solutions. To celebrate the production milestones and the van’s success in Ireland, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles are...

Christmas is the season of office parties and catching up and celebrating with friends and family. However, over-indulging the night before can mean it is easy to have alcohol in your system the next morning. Over 1,000 arrests for drink driving were made over the Christmas period last year and the new laws which came into effect over a year ago mean that first-time drink-driving offenders will be automatically banned from driving for three months if caught with between 50 - 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, equivalent to 0.22 - 0.35 milligrams of alcohol per litre of breath. Previously, drivers caught at these levels received three penalty points and a fine … but no driving ban. Now you can test yourself the next morning with the AlcoSense Lite 2 digital personal breathalyser. Designed in the UK by racing driver and businessman Hunter Abbott, it gives you clear results in seconds. All you need for a reading is to turn the unit on, wait for ...