Car 6

The Tarraco SUV sold by SEAT will be available in an FR PHEV version from next year, writes Brian Byrne . With a total output power of 245hp, it will be the most powerful iteration of the company's large SUV. The Spanish carmaker plans to have five electric and plug-in cars between the main brand and its sporty Cupra brand by 2021.

I haven’t had a chance to review the current Volkswagen Polo, even though it has been around for some considerable time, but I understand from colleagues that it’s a decent small car, writes Brian Byrne . I have driven its SEAT cousin Ibiza, which I did like much. So I was interested to see how the upmarket relative, the newest Audi A1 Sportback, would match up. Straight up it impressed. I liked it enough to feel some regret leaving it back early because of my very full schedule. Audi’s division of the Volkswagen Group does well in upping both style details and the interiors of its range. Though sharing platforms and powertrains, Audis don’t feel like Volkswagens — a testament to the achievement in becoming a recognised premium brand. That’s more easily done with larger models in the portfolio, tougher to do in the smaller ones and also to get the right premium and value mix. My review car was bright in its blue, set off with a black roof. Standout from others in its space. ...

The sixth generation of the Mitsubishi L200 is now available in Ireland at a starting price of €35,000 for the entry Business grade, writes Brian Byrne . With a new engine, a range of new driver assist technologies, and a completely new styling that gives a very edgy presence, the Irish distributors are aiming to return the model to the top three position in Irish pickups sales. The new 2.2 diesel has the same 150hp power as the older 2.4, and complies with the very latest EU emissions regulations under WLTP. The Superselect AWD offers four settings to deal with different terrains, and an optional electromagnetic rear differential lock is available on all grades in the Irish market. At the international launch of the new pickup in the south of Spain, we heard that the best selling L200 is expected to be the Intense grade, priced at €37,850 for the manual and €39,950 for the version with the new 6-speed automatic. A new Instyle grade tops the range, and includes leather seat tri...

Skoda's new Kamiq is based on the same platform as the recently launched Scala hatchback, but Skoda say they’ve changed both chassis and suspension, writes Brian Byrne . It arrives here in November. The SUV is taller, has more headroom, and the designers have given it the first iteration of a fresh front style for the brand. Main lights front and rear are LED. The designers claim the longest wheelbase and the highest ground clearance in the segment. The interior is similar to the Scala. The direct main instruments with options to show smaller or larger repeat displays of the navigation is effective. Two size options for the centre infotainment screens are available, depending on the grade and personalisation choice. The SUV's luggage capacity is 400L. It can be expanded by almost 1,000L by folding the seats. An option will offer a folding front passenger seat, allowing carriage of longer loads. There will be 1.0 and 1.5 turbo petrol engines when the Kamiq laun...

While the first of a range of electric cars from Mercedes-Benz is now available to order in Ireland, buyers will in reality have to wait until 2020 for delivery, writes Brian Byrne . Those who do acquire an EQC will also number no more than 60 next year as that's all that the Irish distributor expects to be allocated. But the car is here, and for those prospective customers, demonstration drives will be available over the remaining months of 2019. Such a drive will likely enhance their wish to have one. The Irish media launch today offered motor journalists like myself a relatively short opportunity to drive the EQC, a crossover that offers almost supercar acceleration in a much more refined manner. The car is based on the GLC crossover, but looks and feels larger. The stylists appear to have consciously avoided making the car seem significanly different to the current crop of 'normal' Mercedes-Benz SUVs. Though the EQC badging tells the electric tale. Insid...

Volkswagen SUV range. Volkswagen will have a strong focus on is SUV range at this year’s National Ploughing Championships, writes Trish Whelan . The brand has been a strong supporter of the show for many years and this year will have their largest range of SUVs on display ever, including the new T-Cross, the T-Roc, the Tiguan and 7-seat Tiguan Allspace, as well as the top of the range Touareg. The National Ploughing Championships attracts almost a quarter of a million visitors each year and this year, with such a focus on new technology including electric vehicles, visitors will see the fully-electric e-Golf. Making its Irish debut is the new VW Passat, available as a petrol, diesel and as a plug-in hybrid in the form of the new Passat GTE. If the weather takes a turn for the worst, visitors to the Volkswagen stand can pop by and pick up a Volkswagen poncho. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will also have a strong presence at this year’s show. Models on display will include t...

This ‘car’ is so unique looking, we decided to share it with our readers, writes Trish Whelan. This is billed as the world’s first production minivan, the art deco-inspired 1936 Stout Scarab. It will be on display at this year’s Concours of Elegance 2019 from 6-8 September at Hampton Court Palace. Only nine were ever built and it is one of the rarest vehicles to be on display. It’s rumoured to have hosted a meeting between General Eisenhower and Charles de Gaulle during the Second World War. Throughout the 1950s, it was used by a circus owner, keeping monkeys in the car while they toured the continent. It was then sold on to a French industrial designer who had the vehicle placed in a museum in Reims. The current owners had it restored in 2001 and have kept it in top condition ever since.   It was the brainchild of journalist and automotive & aviation engineer William Bushnell Stout. Unfortunately for him, the time-consuming coach-work and $5,000 price tag (almost $...

SEAT Tarraco To celebrate reaching 4pc market share in the Irish car market, SEAT Ireland is extending its ’192’ offers into August, but time is running out, writes Trish Whelan . Zero per cent finance is available ons elected SE, FR & Xcellence models including Ibiza, Arona, Leon, Ateca and Tarraco.   PCP Finance guarantees a minimum future residual value, so customers don’t need to worry about the re-sale value of their car, depreciation or the NCT. These rates start from 0pc PCP Finance from €179 per month on the Ibiza SE, FR and Xcellence models. 0pc is also available on Arona FR and Xcellence from €219 per month, Leon FR and Xcellence from €239 per month, and Ateca FR and Xcellence from €249 per month. There is also 0pc PCP Finance on the new Tarraco SE and Xcellence models from €309 per month. SEAT say this means they are offering the lowest PCP finance rate possible on their highest specced models. To avail of this offer, customers must order th...

The new Nissan Juke has been in the final stages of road testing showing a new look and agile driving performances ahead of its official unveil next month, writes Trish Whelan . Juke has sold over one million units since its debut appearance in 2010. The stage is set for its return to the B-SUV segment it pioneered almost a decade ago. Designed in Europe, New Juke has brought together the Japanese company’s designers across the region to work together on its evolution.   Nissan has revealed that the car has sleek coupe lines, ‘striking’ 19-inch alloy wheels and athletic stance.   They say inspiration for the new Juke design development has been tailored around B-SUV customer demands for leading design, latest tech and ‘fun to drive’ performance. It will be loaded with technology and is the third Nissan model to feature ProPILOT technology which forms part of the Nissan Intelligent Mobility vision. Juke’s footprint has increased in size to provide greater roominess a...

On the eve of the launch of the first Mercedes-Benz electric car in Ireland, the EQC, the company unveiled its first electric MPV at an event in Stuttgart, writes Brian Byrne from the reveal. The EQV is based on the very successful Vito van and specifically its V-Class upscale passenger shuttle companion. It is scheduled to come to Ireland in early summer of next year. The EQV has an underfloor 100kWh lithium-ion battery which the company says provisionally will give it a range of 405kms, substantially more than the 150kms of the electric eVito van. The EQV is targeting young upmarket families in its home market, especially a slice of its present V-Class customers who wish to be at the cutting edge of environmental technology.

Toyota Ireland is to supply 280 new Land Cruisers to the Irish Defence Forces for use over the next four years. The first vehicles in the order will be delivered towards the end of 2019. The Land Cruisers will be enabled to operate sophisticated on-board IT and communications equipment commensurate with the requirements of a modern defence force. All Land Cruisers are also fully compliant with Euro 6 emissions guidelines which will contribute to lower fuel costs and reduced CO2 emissions. This significant investment reflects the Irish Government’s commitment to strengthening the operational capability the Irish armed forces. Pictured are (Back) Cathal Ryan, Fleet Sales Manager, Toyota; Paul Murray, After Sales Director, Toyota; Michael Walsh, Irish Defence Forces; and (Front) Lars-Erik Aaroy, Deputy Managing Director, Toyota; Col. Ray O Lehane, Irish Defence Forces; Steve Tormey, CEO, Toyota; and Comdt. Shane Conlon, Irish Defence Forces.

Lots of ideas are coming through aimed at cutting emissions from automobiles, but one intriguing new law is a ban on the construction of fast-food drive-thru facilities, writes Brian Byrne . That's what the City Council in Minneapolis, USA, has just passed, though it won't affect existing establishments or any current application for one. The council said it is doing so to cut down on the number of cars idling while waiting for ordered food, and also because the facilities may impact on pedestrian safety. The law is being criticised by a number of groups, including the Minneapolis Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities. They say the ban would limit access to food and services for people with disabilities. Another plan by the Minneapolis authorities to ban gas stations in the city will have to wait until there's a greater penetration of the use of electric cars.